Latest KFF Health News Stories
Indiana Lawmakers Threaten Action Over High Hospital Costs
The Indianapolis Star says local health care prices are among the highest in the U.S., so lawmakers have asked hospitals and insurers to work together to lower costs, with a looming threat of statutory price reviews.
One Surprising Pandemic Side Effect: Keeping Pregnancies Secret
According to The New York Times, the pandemic’s effect on daily life is having an impact on how people are sharing news about their pregnancy in work situations. Meanwhile, levels of flu in the U.S. have fallen for the second week in a row.
Neuralink Moving Closer To Human Trials Of Implanted Brain Chips
Elon Musk’s human-computer interface medical tech company has begun hiring for a clinical trial director. In other news, CVS Caremark settled a PBM fee issue with the Oklahoma Insurance Department; questions over GSK’s chief science officer; and biotech stocks are a “dumpster fire.”
Germ Cleanser At Center Of Lawsuit Against Sutter Health
Sutter Health, the lawsuit says, purchased a cleaning chemical to combat hospital-borne bugs that itself caused dozens of employees to fall ill. Also in the news: IBM’s Watson, investments in digital health, Anthem’s new chief, nurses and a student loan relief program in Pennsylvania.
To Curb Illegal Buying, Maine May Try Allowing Marijuana Deliveries
News outlets cover a new bill introduced in Maine that would allow recreational dispensaries to deliver legally-bought weed to buyers’ homes. Separate reports say that gross sales have topped $1.2 billion since recreational marijuana went on sale in Arizona a year ago.
FBI Raids Covid Testing Site Company
The company has been reimbursed over $124 million from the federal government for covid tests. Earlier, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against the company. Modern Healthcare, meanwhile, says large insurers lack consumer-friendly test coverage.
No Cloth Masks Allowed In LA Schools; Virginia In Chaos Over New Mask Rules
In Virginia, the new Republican governor’s mask-optional mandate starts today. Many people have vowed to fight or uphold the order with everything they can muster, including one Virginia mom who was charged Friday after threatening to bring loaded guns to school.
Study: Covid Shots Don’t Reduce Fertility, But Getting Covid Might
Researchers looking at the impact of covid vaccines on fertility say there’s no reduction in chances of becoming pregnant. But some evidence for short-term reduction in male fertility after a covid infection was found. Meanwhile, another study shows Moderna outperforms Pfizer against delta.
FDA Expands Use Of Remdesivir For Some Non-Hospitalized Covid Patients
The Food and Drug Administration authorized Gilead Sciences’ antiviral treatment remdesivir to be administered outside of a hospital for some mild-to-moderate covid patients. The intravenous drug that is infused over three days would have to be delivered at an outpatient clinic.
CDC: Booster Shots 90% Effective At Preventing Omicron Hospitalization
The three studies published Friday are by far the most comprehensive and reliable assessments of the role booster shots are playing in the U.S. pandemic, The New York Times reported, noting that the researchers reviewed millions of cases and tens of thousands of hospitalizations and deaths.
Short-Staffing Forces Some Hospitals To Limit Beds Even With Patient Surge
Hospital administrators face difficult choices as a spike of covid patients seek treatment in their overtaxed facilities. Meanwhile, nurses, doctors and other health workers try to cope with the latest surge.
Walensky Says CDC Is ‘Pivoting The Language’ On Vaccination Definitions
While those who has completed their original covid vaccine protocol will still be defined as “fully vaccinated,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky says the agency will start emphasizing the need to be “up to date” with a booster shot. Walensky also spoke about the state of the U.S. public health system during an interview with Politico.
In Other States Like Arkansas And Alaska, Omicron Cases Are Climbing
Both states smashed records over the weekend. Meanwhile in Houston, the city is poised to hit 400,000 covid cases Monday, just a month after hitting 300,000.
As Cases Fall In Some States, Fauci Says Omicron Will Peak By Mid-February
While cautioning that this covid virus has “surprised” us in the past, Dr. Anthony Fauci told ABC “This Week” that the case trends “are looking good. We don’t want to get overconfident, but they look like they’re going in the right direction right now.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Weighing The Benefits Of Doctor-Hospital Integration; Will Roe V. Wade Survive?
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Opinion writers break down the future of covid and the effects on our health care work force.
All US Olympians Are Fully Vaccinated; No One Requested Exemptions
Every one of the 200-plus athletes going to the Beijing Winter Olympics is reported to be fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, the Chinese authorities are limiting the traditional torch relay to just three days. In France, covid restrictions are due to be lifted soon, and Austria mandated shots for adults.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on food poisoning, toxic waste, dementia, exercise, covid and more.
Florida Workers Pay Among The Most For Health Insurance
A study from the Commonwealth Fund found Florida employees paid more for health insurance than in nearly every other state. A different report sheds light on why Chicago’s air quality didn’t get as much as a reprieve during the pandemic as other places: It’s diesel fuel’s fault.
