Latest KFF Health News Stories
Walmart Partners With Transcarent, Entering Self-Insured Market
Meanwhile, reports say New Orleans-based Ochsner Health is the first hospital system in Louisiana to have its own insurance arm. East Orange General Hospital, Lee County Hospital, Northeast Georgia Health System, health data leaks from security flaws in third-party apps, and more are in the news.
HHS Commits $100 Million To Battle Health Care Worker Burnout
As CIDRAP reports on a study that found 21% more health workers were working 40-hour-plus weeks than before the pandemic, NPR notes the Department of Health and Human Services has committed to fund $100 million to help solve the issues of health worker burnout.
Fauci Calls For Covid Shots, But Police, Unions Try Lawsuits To Block Mandates
Dr. Anthony Fauci said police resisting covid shots “doesn’t make any sense,” but AP reports that cities around the U.S. are clashing with police unions and battling lawsuits aimed at blocking vaccine mandates. In Chicago, the issue caused the police department to restrict time off for officers.
Lab Sued Over Covid Test Fees By Another Blue Cross, Blue Shield Insurer
The allegation is that national test facility GS Labs forced commercially insured customers to take unnecessary and expensive tests. Among other news, Oklahoma will soon reconcile its official covid death numbers with up-to-date data, pushing the toll up by about 1,000 victims.
Approval Ratings Slip For Republican Governors Who Are Anti-Vax-Mandate
Preferring to follow doctrine over the scientifically proven benefits of vaccines, Republican governors across the U.S. have been leading a charge against covid shot (and mask) mandates, Politico reports. And now their approval ratings are down. Dr. Anthony Fauci calls Texas’ mandate ban “unfortunate.”
US Will Reopen Borders To Fully Vaccinated Travelers On Nov. 8
The new rules apply to air, land or sea crossings. Air travelers will have to show proof of vaccination and also results of a negative test taken within three days before boarding the plane.
Starting This Week, States Can Place Covid Shot Orders For Kids Ages 5 To 11
The rollout of covid vaccines for younger children is imminent. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that “confusion” is blamed for poor uptake of booster shots among older people, and the Philadelphia Inquirer describes how officials are using senior centers to reach out about boosters.
J&J Vaccine Should Have Been 2 Shots All Along, Fauci And Others Say
Infectious-disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci also acknowledged that some J&J recipients might be better off receiving Pfizer or Moderna’s vaccine as their booster. “The level of antibodies that you induce in them is much higher than if you boost them with the original J&J,” he said.
Trailblazing Military And Political Leader Colin Powell, 84, Dies Of Covid
Colin Powell was the first Black national security adviser, the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first Black secretary of state. As secretary of State, he was fourth in the presidential line of succession. According to a statement from his family, Colin Powell was fully vaccinated against covid.
FDA Panel Endorses Another J&J Dose — And Experts Urge You To Get It ASAP
The panel also discussed whether vaccines can be “mixed and matched” and seemed to lean toward saying yes, but no formal vote was taken.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: PASTEUR Act Will Prepare Us For Future Superbugs; The Transplant Act Signed Into Law
Editorial writers discuss superbugs and Be the Match transplant services.
Different Takes: Don’t Feel Guilty Getting A Booster; Why Britain Infected People With Covid-19
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
Pandemic Pushes Estimated Deaths From TB Up For First Time In Decade
The World Health Organization yesterday said that its predictions for how many people died from tuberculosis in 2020 were up for the first time in a decade. Pandemic disruption was blamed. Separately, the U.S. committed to sending another 17 million J&J covid shots to the African Union.
Lead In Tap Water Causes ‘All-Hands-On-Deck’ Crisis In Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, issued an executive order to allocate federal and state resources to tackle high levels of lead in tap water in southwestern Michigan. Separately, a coalition of federal agencies issued a hacking warning about water and wastewater systems.
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 a TikTok bone salesman, plant-based diets, Selma Blair, the coronavirus, the Nipah virus and more.
Study: Diabetes Rates In Adolescents Nearly Doubled Since 2001
The number is expected to quadruple by 2050, according to a new study out from the American Medical Association, as reported on by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting. Also, a recall of 14,000 pounds of Butterball ground turkey; grocery store products claiming to boost immunity; mental health of college students; and more are reported.
Johnson & Johnson Moves Talc Injury Claims Unit Into Bankruptcy
The Wall Street Journal suggests the move is a play to get a settlement instead. Politico, meanwhile, reports on “confusion” around the FDA’s e-cigarette approvals.
American Red Cross Blames Worst Blood Shortage Since 2015 On Covid
The organization said it was now facing an “emergency blood and platelet shortage,” worsened as blood donor turnout reached the lowest levels of the year. Separately, New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has launched a new system to have blood in ambulances to treat traumatic injuries faster.
Robert Califf Floated As Leading Candidate To Helm FDA: Reports
Sources tell multiple news outlets that President Joe Biden is considering Dr. Robert Califf to fill the top Food and Drug Administration job, but also say no final decision in the contentious search has been reached. The permanent appointment has been vacant for 10 months and Interim Commissioner Janet Woodcock’s term expires in November.
