Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: What Else Can MRNA Vaccine Technology Do?; Examining The Personal Impact Of SB 8
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health concerns.
Different Takes: FDA Needs To Stop Complicating Boosters; Vaccine Donation Is Taking Too Long
Opinion pages examine these covid and vaccine topics.
WHO Pushes For Poorer Nations’ Access To Merck’s, Other Covid Drugs
A World Health Organization program is trying to make covid tests and treatments easier to access for poorer nations, aiming at getting antiviral drug course prices down to as low as $10. Separately, Pope Francis has urged “a gesture of humanity” from drugmakers to release IP on covid drugs.
Racism Declared A Public Health Crisis By New York City Board Of Health
The resolution declaring racism a public health crisis also calls on New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to review the city’s health code to root out structural racism. Meanwhile, Texas passes an anti-trans student ban concerning public school sports.
FDA Approves First Biosimilar Alternative To Arthritis Drug Humira
Stat reports that although the Food and Drug Administration has approved the interchangeable biosimilar drug, questions remain over whether it will really impact health systems. In other news, the FDA rejected the Omeros drug narsoplimab, aimed at aiding bone marrow transplant complications.
UnitedHealthcare Launches Telehealth Care-Centric Insurance Plan
UnitedHealthcare is the country’s largest insurer, and the goal is to make telemedicine more affordable and accessible — but a survey reported by NPR notes “most” people still prefer in-person medical services, even if telehealth works out “OK.” Medicaid, Amazon and more are also in the news.
Goodbye, $3.2M Salary: Washington’s Top-Paid Employee Fired Over Vax Rule
Washington State football coach Nick Rolovich was dismissed Monday for not following the statewide mandate. “We’ve had conversations that date back months,” Athletic Director Pat Chun said. “He was resolute in his stance. He’s entitled to make a choice; that choice did not put him in compliance.”
Provision Banning Federal-Backed Spending On Abortion Left Out Of Funding Bills
It’s the first time in decades that Senate Democrats have moved to ditch the Hyde Amendment from annual funding bills. Hyde controversially bans people from using Medicaid or other federal health programs to fund abortions. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court will speed a review of Texas’ abortion law.
Yet Another Reason To Get Vaxxed: Covid Patients May Face Steep Bills
Insurance companies have started charging patients for hospital, physician and paramedic care, CIDRAP and other news outlets report.
FDA To Allow You To Get A Different Type Of Booster Than Your Initial Shot
News outlets report on an upcoming decision by the Food and Drug Administration about which covid booster shot regime it will support, and it looks like a “mix-and-match” approach is expected. AP reports on why boosters weren’t “tweaked” to better tackle covid variants.
Colin Powell’s Health Conditions, Age Linked To His Death From Covid
News outlets note former Secretary of State Colin Powell was battling multiple myeloma, which may have contributed to his death from covid complications — as would his age. Reports note that deaths from breakthrough infections like this remain very rare, and stress the ongoing risk to seniors.
EPA To Regulate Water-Contaminating PFAS Chemicals Linked To Cancer
Media outlets report on a new plan from the White House to regulate pollutant toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) chemicals in drinking water and food. PFAS substances have been linked to cancer, infertility and other health issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
Worries Emerge Over Delta-Plus Mutation As Britain Suffers Covid Surge
Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has called for scientists to look into a potential “delta-plus” mutation of covid, suspected to be linked to a current covid surge in the U.K. Meanwhile, Japan is reported “puzzling” over a sudden, dramatic drop in cases.
Nurses Who Conduct Sex-Assault Reviews Push Back On Louisville Plans
According to police, prosecutors and nurses, a proposal that would require a doctor to review a portion of the procedures could slow down the process and harm the victims. Separately, AP reports Michigan is changing how it funds mental health — moving to match Medicaid funding for physical health.
TikTok Blamed For Teen Girls Suddenly Developing Tics
The Wall Street Journal reports on a global phenomenon that’s stumped movement-disorder doctors. Meanwhile, a study found that smart blood pressure cuffs and an app can help hypertension sufferers manage the issue over time. Also: Maybe we only need to walk 7,000 daily steps to be healthy.
Alaska Hospital Supply Issues Highlight National Shortage Of A Chemo Drug
Abraxane, used to treat some advanced cancers, is in short supply due to manufacturing delays. Separately, reports say Biogen’s potential treatment for a rare form of ALS has failed a key late-state clinical trial, by not showing significant benefits for ALS patients compared with a placebo.
