Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Extends Mask Mandate For Airlines, Public Transit A Month
The requirement was set to expire March 18 but federal officials said it will continue while health experts examine how to proceed. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Idaho advanced a measure that would ban employers from asking about vaccination status, while Kentucky legislators pushed forward a bill that prevents state and local governments or public colleges from asking for covid vaccination status.
The ‘Deltacron’ Variant — Something To Worry About, Or Just A ‘Scariant’?
Experts say it’s too soon to worry about deltacron and that it appears unlikely to spread as easily as omicron. In other covid news, a database created by the Federation of State Medical Boards shows that at least 26 states have proposed or passed legislation that would make it easier for patients to get ivermectin, USA Today reported.
How Many Have Died From Covid? Toll May Be Triple The Confirmed Tally
The global death toll from the covid-19 pandemic has been alarmingly undercounted, researchers find. They estimate the total to be 18.2 million people.
CMS Expects To Set New Nursing Home Staffing Standards Within A Year
The new minimum staffing requirements are part of a package of measures announced by President Joe Biden to improve nursing home care. Also in the news, USA Today unveils an analysis of how nursing homes across the country fared during five months of the covid pandemic.
Dire White House Warnings Don’t Shake Loose Covid Funds Consensus
The Senate passed the $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill, yet the path forward to appropriating additional pandemic relief funding remains unsettled. House leaders plan a vote on a standalone bill next week, Politico reports, but Senate support is not secured. And the White House warns that the delay will hurt covid response efforts. News outlets also report on other health measures impacted by the budget.
This Year’s Flu Shot Provides Flimsy Protection Against Mild Case: CDC
A CDC report confirms other research that this year’s vaccine formulation was a mismatch for the dominant strain and only improved protection against a case of mild flu by 16%. The shots still help prevent severe illness.
Anthem Will Soon Be Elevance Health
The name change is pending stockholder approval in a vote scheduled for May 18. The names of the health plans at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will not change. The company, based in Indianapolis, wants to reframe itself as a company with a broader portfolio and focus than its traditional business of health insurance, the Wall Street Journal reported.
‘You Caused So Much Loss’: Relatives Confront Sackler Family In Court
In heartbreaking details, more than two dozen people who lost loved ones addicted to pain killers lashed out at the family that owns Purdue Pharma, which makes OxyContin, a drug the families said led to the addictions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Different Takes: Should Toddlers Still Be Masking?; HB 1557 Harms Florida Children’s Mental Health
Opinion writers weigh in on masking, sex after covid and HB 1557.
Power Cut To Chernobyl Site; Radiation Worries Low So Far
The International Atomic Energy Agency said spent fuel at the site of the 1986 nuclear power disaster was safe, even though electricity had been disconnected from the site plus nearby towns. Media outlets cover other news relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Research Roundup: Covid; Cancer; Brain Health; Tuberculosis; More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
911 Calls Are Delayed In Maryland; Dispatcher Strike Avoided In Pa.
Media outlets cover difficulties in placing 911 calls in Anne Arundel county in Maryland as well as an agreement in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania that avoided a 911 dispatcher strike. Meanwhile, Idaho advances its strict Texas-style anti-abortion law, plus other news.
Poll: Americans Overwhelmed By Stress
The annual poll by the American Psychological Association blamed the pandemic, inflation, and the invasion of Ukraine. High suicide rates among Latino men, deer tick virus, the benefits of affection from canine pets, racial gaps in cancer outcomes, and reconsidering thyroid cancer care are also in the news.
Court Supports Parents Of Trans Child In Texas ‘Abuse’ Case
Though Texan authorities wanted to investigate the parents under a punitive plan by Gov. Greg Abbott, an appeals court upheld an earlier ruling blocking the investigation. Federal action over Texas’ efforts is also expected to play out in the courts. In Idaho, lawmakers are trying an even more restrictive law, punishing parents seeking out-of-state transgender youth treatment.
Bill To Extend Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Dies In Mississippi House
Mississippi House Republican leaders refused to bring a bill to a vote that would have allowed mothers to stay on Medicaid for a year after giving birth. Currently they are covered for only two months. The legislation had already overwhelmingly passed the state Senate.
Judge Indicates Sacklers Will Pay Another $1.2B In Opioid Settlement
The family owns OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, and during a hearing today, victims of the opioid crisis will have an opportunity to confront some family members directly. Other legal and illegal drug-related news comes from Michigan. Ohio, New York, South Dakota and Oregon.
Patient With First-Ever Gene-Modified Pig Heart Dies
The 57-year-old man died two months after becoming the first person to receive a genetically-modified pig heart, designed to prevent organ rejection. The cause of his death is still unclear, though reportedly his condition had been deteriorating in recent days.
Government Pressed On Patient Data Access Problems
Over 250 federal complaints have been filed against care providers alleging patients are being blocked from accessing electronic medical records. Separately, reports say Providence health system has had a much more severe year in 2021 than for 2020, doubling its operating losses.
