Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Doubles At-Home Test Buy; Requests For Billion Free Kits Kick Off Next Week
President Joe Biden says Thursday that the federal government is acquiring an additional 500 million at-home rapid covid tests — doubling the initial purchase last month. The website by which Americans will be able to request free tests will launch next week, the president also announced, though it’s unknown when deliveries will start.
Biden Disappointed By Court’s Decision, Urges Employers To Require Covid Shot
President Joe Biden lamented the Supreme Court’s private workplace decision, which is a blow to his efforts to control the covid pandemic. “I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has chosen to block common-sense life-saving requirements for employees at large businesses that were grounded squarely in both science and the law,” he said in a statement, while also calling on private businesses to “do the right thing” and require vaccinations.
ACA Sign-Ups Exceed 14 Million As Saturday Enrollment Deadline Nears
January 15 is the last day for Americans to enroll on healthcare.gov and most state exchanges. A week before that deadline, a record 14.2 million had signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act program.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Vaccine Rule For Private Employees, Allows Mandate For Health Workers
A 6-3 majority said that OSHA likely does not have the power to set a vaccinate-or-test requirement for private businesses — one that would have impacted an estimated 84 million workers. In the other case, the Supreme Court did allow CMS’ rule to proceed that mandates the covid vaccine for the 10 million health professionals who work at a medical facility that gets federal funding.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Vaccine-Or-Test Mandate For Private Employees
In the other case, the Supreme Court justices is allowing the Biden administration’s covid vaccine mandate for most health workers to go forward.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Different Takes: Nurses Deserve More Money; How To Lower US Drug Overdose Rates
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Quebec’s Plan To Tax The Unvaxxed Drives Surge In Shot Uptake
Threatening fines for unvaccinated residents who lack medical exemptions has reportedly led to soaring sign-ups for first shots among the Quebecois. Meanwhile, the Pan American Health Organization says it expects omicron covid to become the dominant variant across the Americas soon.
Research Roundup: Covid; PTSD; Cancer Surgery; Male Infertility
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Gene For Dangerous Drug-Resistant Bacteria Found In Georgia Sewer
Studies of Georgia’s sewer water have turned up a worrying find: The MCR-9 gene, which can cause bacteria to become resistant to one of the world’s most important antibiotics — a potential global health threat. Separately, Florida moves to limit abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Labor Union Sues 3 Health Providers, Alleging Racism In Dialysis Care
According to the labor union suing DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care and Satellite Healthcare, Latino and Asian patients are more likely to experience adverse symptoms during hemodialysis. Investment in Black-owned health tech firms and news on the illustrator who drew a black fetus is also reported.
America’s Cancer Death Rate Has Fallen 32% Over 28 Years
The overall risk of dying from cancer continues to drop at an ever-faster rate, too. News outlets cover the data, noting that while millions of deaths have been averted, racial disparities are still a problem when it comes to treatment and detection.
11.5 Hours: New Record Speed For Rare Illness Diagnostic DNA Sequencing
Stat reports on a remarkable case where a young man was suffering mystifying heart problems and an extremely fast diagnosis was possible thanks to speedy gene sequencing. Also in the news, President Joe Biden’s FDA nominee; potential for vaccines to help the opioid crisis; and wider impact of Medicare’s Aduhelm decision.
Blood Shortage Briefly Shutters LA County Trauma Unit
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services hasn’t had to take this sort of action in over three decades. The national blood shortage is so bad that the Red Cross is trying to tempt donors by offering the chance to win Super Bowl 2022 tickets.
6 Army Commanders Relieved Of Duty Over Covid Vaccine Mandate
Meanwhile, cruise lines will no longer be required to follow covid guidance on ships as outlined by the CDC, USA Today reported.
Covid Tests Also Prove Positive When It Comes To Company Profits
For example Abbott, the maker behind the BinaxNow at-home covid tests, reported third-quarter profits up 48% compared to last year’s figure. But while for many finding tests is difficult, some corporations are making it easy for staff. There are also warnings over fraudulent testing services.
Pfizer’s Covid Pill In Short Supply; A New One From Europe May Arrive Soon
Despite the promise of Pfizer’s antiviral covid drug, CNN reports on how it can be tricky to source the pills. Meanwhile, Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis is seeking a quick U.S. emergency approval for its own promising experimental covid pill, ensovibep, before results from a big clinical trial arrive.
Delta Hasn’t Disappeared: It’s Still Showing Up In Sewage
In other covid news, Yale researchers have developed a wearable air sampler to monitor personal exposure to covid-19.
Kids Who Get Covid Are At Higher Risk Of Developing Diabetes: Study
And a separate study identifies risk factors that may determine if a child will become severely ill from covid. In related news, despite historic infection levels, less than 20% of American elementary school kids are vaccinated. And debates over protective measures once again rage in schools.
