Latest KFF Health News Stories
IVF Fetus Mix-Up Results In Birth Of ‘Wrong Baby’, Lawsuit In California
News outlets report that two families gave birth to each other’s babies after a mistake at a fertility clinic in Los Angeles. The mix-up has resulted in a lawsuit. Meanwhile, legal moves over covid vaccines, mandates happen around the country. And a “mental health day” for school kids is rejected.
Cerner’s CEO Learns To Battle Epic
Cerner’s CEO, David Feinberg, is friends with Judy Faulkner of Epic. But he must battle her. In other news, major hospitals pull more money from cash-paying customers and insurance companies and Blue Cross Blue Shield gets tough with some licensees.
If You Try To Drive Drunk In A 2026 Car, Congress Wants It To Stop You
Congress aims to tackle drunk driving with a requirement for car makers: From as soon as 2026, new cars should be able to detect if drivers are under the influence of alcohol, and stop them. Climate change and girls’ health, overdose deaths, and mental health issues are also in the news.
Stroke Risk Reduced With Vegetable Fat Consumption
Vegetable fat in place of animal fat reduces stroke risk, a new study says. Other research is on sepsis reduction, the best sleep time and racial disparities in organ transplants.
Regeneron Says Antibody Treatment Protects Against Covid
Regeneron said its antibody treatments reduced the risk of contracting covid by 81.6% in a late-stage trial. In other news, the Texas health department issues a study showing unvaccinated people are 20 times more likely to die of covid.
Covid Deaths Skew Higher Than Ever In Red States
The New York Times reports on disparities in covid deaths — with the gap between highly-vaccinated states (which tend to be Democratic) versus less-vaccinated states (which tend to be Republican) growing faster than ever over the last month. Vaccination exemptions and hesitancy are also in the news.
70% Of American Adults Now Vaccinated Against Covid
That translates to 432 million doses. Meanwhile, a survey in Texas suggests that the majority of residents support vaccinations and mask wearing.
Vaccination Misinformation Takes More Strange Turns
The battle over vaccination information and misinformation has put the focus on Sesame Street’s Big Bird and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. In other news, a lot of people believe some false information.
Fed: Public Health Failures Will Threaten The U.S. Economy
The Federal Reserve warns that public health worsening is a threat to the U.S. economy. In other news, emails reveal what J&J did to limit information about talc and cancer and the role Nancy Pelosi played in preventing the drug pricing legislation from moving forward.
Halting Vaccine Mandate Will ‘Cost Lives,’ Biden Officials Tells Court
The Biden administration responded to a federal appeals court’s stay on the federal covid vaccine mandate, arguing that stopping the OSHA rules “would endanger many thousands of people.” Meanwhile, the White House is urging businesses that would be covered by the order not to wait until the legal challenges finish to make implementation plans.
Child Vaccination Programs Rolled Out Quickly
360,000 children under the age of 12 have gotten covid shots, while school districts are urged by the White House to provide covid shots.
Pfizer Asks FDA To Authorize Its Booster For All Adults
Pfizer and BioNTech applied to the Food and Drug Administration to allow an additional covid vaccine dose to any American 18 and older.
First Edition: November 9, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages delve into these various public health topics.
Opinion pages weigh in on these covid issues.
Vaccinations And Boosters Urged As Covid Spikes Again In Parts Of Europe
Germany, Russia and Denmark are among the nations reporting infection increases. British officials are urging citizens to get a booster shot. In some good news, Japan sees its first day in 15 months with no covid deaths.
Providers Say More People Seek Birth Control In Texas After Abortion Law
The near-total abortion ban in Texas drove attention to birth control providers, as people seek emergency contraception and other pregnancy-preventing solutions. Meanwhile, a kayaker contracted flesh eating bacteria in Tampa, and schools in Tennessee get a mental health boost.
Bill Presses For Huge Increase In Residency Slots Paid For By Medicare
Modern Healthcare reports on a provision for residency slots in the House version of the president’s domestic policy package. Meanwhile, reports say health care employment has topped 16 million, the highest number since early in the pandemic.
Stanford Magnetic Therapy To Treat Depression Has Significant Trials Success
The SAINT method uses targeted magnetic stimulation of the brain, and reports say almost 80% of the study’s participants saw their severe depression go into remission. Generic drug prices, strep vaccines for pregnant women, a boom in stem cell clinics and more are also in the news.
Researchers Look At Link Between Covid Vaccine Injections, Heart Problems
Some theories are emerging about the link between receiving a covid shot and the risks for myocarditis, including the chance that vaccines were injected into veins, directly affecting the heart. Pfizer’s covid pill, antibody drugs, pregnant women’s risks and pets with covid are also in the news.
