Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Says Gas Stoves Leak All The Time, Threaten Public Health, Climate
Though the study is small-scale and based only on California data, the findings are striking — with permanent leaks from stoves and fittings even when turned off. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration is being called on to ban BPA in plastics that are in contact with food.
Labor Department Scolds 30 Insurers For Not Covering Mental Health Needs
A government report released Tuesday doesn’t name specific companies but mentioned at least one “large service provider.” One of the most common violations was limitations or exclusions or coverage of therapy for autism, Modern Healthcare reported.
Biden’s Health Worker Covid Vaccine Deadline Arrives
Workers in health care industries in about half the states have until today to get their first shot under the Biden administration’s mandate; Montana’s governor is seeking exemptions where losing staff may jeopardize health care access. And pushback against military vaccination mandates continues.
Omicron Now 99.9% Dominant Variant, Causes More Daily Deaths Than Delta
U.S. daily average deaths from covid are exceeding the peak reached during the height of the earlier delta surge, as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the omicron variant is now accounting for 99.9% of all new cases.
White House Diverted Hospital-Helping Covid Funds To Vaccine Drive
Stat reports that nearly $7 billion was shifted from a fund designed to help hospitals and clinics during the stresses of the pandemic and was instead used to buy vaccines and therapeutics. Health worker burnout, Neil Young’s music off Spotify, and a poll about covid staying “forever” are also in the news.
Moderna Tests Omicron Vaccine, Says Original Booster Fades Over 6 Months
Earlier this week, Pfizer began its own trial of an omicron-specific shot. Initial results from that study are expected in the first half of the year; Moderna did not say when it expects to have results.
Capitol Braces For Bruising, But Maybe Not ‘Scorched Earth,’ Confirmation Battle
Democrats’ no-room-for-defection majority in the Senate has White House staffers and congressional members anticipating a rocky path and close vote for whoever is nominated.
Who Will Biden Nominate? Front-Runners Now In The Spotlight
President Joe Biden has previously pledged to name the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court. News outlets profile some of the jurists believed to be on his shortlist.
Liberal Yet Pragmatic, Breyer Shaped Critical Health Care Issues From Bench
With the reports of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s pending retirement, news outlets look back at his 28 years on the nation’s highest court and the role he played in decision-making on critical issues in the U.S.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Start School Later For Healthier Kids; Empowering Teens Who Want To Be Vaccinated
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Perspectives: CMS Is Protecting Us From Companies That Sell False Hopes
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Mormon Missionaries Quarantined After Bringing Covid To Kiribati
Kiribati’s borders had been closed since almost the beginning of the pandemic, and the island nation had avoided covid until a plane chartered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived recently — despite the returning missionaries following covid protocols and testing.
Mass General Brigham Warned About Its Excessive Spending
The high spending of Mass General Brigham places the entire state health care system at risk, the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission says. The nonprofit hospital must now submit a plan on how it will lower costs stemming from its expensive care.
FDA Rebukes Eli Lilly For ‘Misleading’ Instagram Post About Trulicity
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Texas Cut Medicaid Staffing — Soon This May Cause Problems For Signups
According to a report, during the pandemic, Texas cut the number of people working in Medicaid services even as a million Texans gained coverage due to emergency federal funding. Now, staffing issues may affect an expected flood of new and returning applicants.
Report Warns Of Risk Amid Rise Of Some Alternative Birth Practices
NBC News reports on concerns over rising interest in “lotus” births, placenta consumption, and other alternative birth practices, and how a clinical report suggests doctors should advise parents on their risks. Miscarriages, PCBs in a school, and a teen raising money for a hospital are also in the news.
If Your At-Home Covid Test Freezes During Delivery, It’ll Be OK If Thawed
The Anchorage Daily News covers concerns over low temperatures affecting free federal covid tests being delivered by mail, with health officials saying frozen tests are likely OK if warmed up and thawed. In other news, Elton John postponed some U.S. shows after testing positive for covid.
In 2020, More Michiganders Died Than Were Born, For The First Time Ever
The difference between the birth and death figures, the first in the state’s recorded history, was worsened by deaths from covid. Meanwhile, in U.S. daily deaths from covid may have reached the highest level since early 2021, and there are covid spikes in places like Maryland and Utah.
