Latest KFF Health News Stories
Texas Demands Supreme Court Leave Its Restrictive Abortion Law In Place
If the Supreme Court takes up the White House’s case, Texas said, then the justices should also reconsider Roe v. Wade.
President Biden’s Social Spending Bill Gets Slimmer And Slimmer
At a CNN town hall meeting Thursday, he said his proposal for more paid family/medical leave would be slashed from 12 weeks to 4 weeks and also acknowledged that expanding Medicare benefits to include hearing, dental and vision benefits would be a “reach.”
Third Dose Of Pfizer Vaccine Is 95.6% Effective, Large Study Shows
Researchers studied more than 10,000 people ages 16 and older who were fully vaccinated. Among the participants who received a third Pfizer dose, just five people developed symptomatic cases of covid-19. In comparison, 109 participants who received a placebo developed covid infections.
CDC: Americans Can Choose Any Booster They Want, Starting Today
All adults who received the Johnson & Johnson one-dose covid vaccine are recommended to get a second dose at least two months later. The CDC noted that regardless of which manufacturer you choose for a booster, it’s not required for a person to be considered fully immunized.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 breast cancer, Graves’ disease, toxic oil syndrome, covid and more.
Viewpoints: How Prevalent Is Lead In Houston’s Water?; Examining The Link Between Housing And Health
Editorial writers weigh in on these various public health issues.
Different Takes: Thoughts On Which Booster To Choose; Examining The New Valneva Vaccine
Opinion writers tackle covid boosters, a new covid vaccine and fighting the pandemic.
Research Roundup: All About Covid
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Russia Has Pandemic Daily Death High, Orders Workers Home For A Week
President Vladimir Putin said reluctant citizens should get vaccinated as daily deaths hit a pandemic high of 1,028. Meanwhile, India hit a milestone of 1 billion covid vaccines administered — among a population of 1.4 billion. But only about 30% of eligible people are fully vaccinated.
McLaren Health Settlement Reduced To $5 Million In Flint Lead Water Suit
A judge agreed that McLaren hospital could reduce its share of a $641 million payout to people affected by lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan. Separately, two new lawsuits allege “hundreds” of children have been exposed to dangerous lead levels in water in Jackson, Mississippi.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Mexican Whole Onions Hits 37 States
Bloomberg reports “hundreds of people” have been sickened. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traced a cause to onions from Chihuahua. AMC movie captions, broken heart diagnoses, breast cancer screening for Black women, and NFL race-norming in dementia are also in the news.
Alzheimer’s Drug Has Such Low Sales, It’s Called Worst Launch ‘Of All Time’
Biogen only sold $300,000 worth of controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm in the last quarter, causing one analyst to give it this damning description. News about Amazon Pharmacy, Maricopa County joining the national opioid settlement, and NHL player Jimmy Hale’s death are also reported.
Biggest Nurses Union Praises OSHA Threats Over States’ Poor Covid Safety
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration had threatened to withdraw control from Arizona, Utah and South Carolina over their own worker safety rules due to poor covid safety guidelines. Other news about nursing, Princeton Hospital, a former HCA CEO, and a bomb threat at Walter Reed Hospital are also reported.
Reports Say Health Problems, Deaths From Climate Change Are Accelerating
“Rising temperatures are having consequences,” said one report’s co-author. Axios notes the reports say that more infectious diseases spreading quickly are “inevitable” due to climate change. Meanwhile, USA Today covers heat deaths in heat waves.
CMS Outlines 5 Goals For Advancing Health Equity, Expanding Coverage
Agency leaders held a webinar Wednesday to discuss how to improve health care, accountability and costs. Other news is on alternative payment models, UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare Advantage payments, Iowa’s privatized Medicaid system and more.
All New York City Public Workers Ordered To Get Covid Shots
Yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered that all NYC municipal workers must get covid shots. The Oct. 29 deadline for first shots comes with a threat of potentially being fired. Separately, a video of unmasked NYPD officers on the subway pushing someone who asked them to mask-up goes viral.
White House Suggests Fixes For ‘Build Back Better’ Plans, Including Cuts
The Hill reports Democratic lawmakers are “swiftly” cutting back on their spending plans in the wake of adjustments coming from the White House, which include new ideas on how to pay for parts of the $2 trillion scheme. Cutting $200 billion in housing aid is one suggestion.
US Says It’s Shared 200 Million Covid Shots With World’s 7.8 Billion People
The White House announced reaching the 200 millionth covid shot shared to boost global vax efforts. Axios reports pressure on the Biden administration to share more shots is rising. How “waning” antibodies are normal and how different zodiac signs are adopting vaccines are also in the news.
More People Poisoning Themselves With Ivermectin To Beat Covid: Report
Human poisonings from ivermectin, a common cattle antiparasitic not approved for use as an anti-covid drug, rose “sharply” in August, says a report from Oregon Poison Center. Meanwhile, the Navy has identified a 15th sailor who has died after being infected with covid.
