Latest KFF Health News Stories
Prices Jump 5% For 2022 On More Than 450 Prescription Drugs
A report in Stat shows drug prices for some products jumped a median of 5% over 2021’s numbers, in line with recent year-end increases. In other news, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is disposing of a Trump-era policy fixing drug prices relative to other wealthy nations.
Biden Targets Meat Industry To Tackle High Food Costs
The new plan includes tighter regulations for meatpackers, with an assumption the industry has been inflating the nation’s food bills. Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture’s new rules for consumer labels on genetically modified food products have gone into effect.
Judge Temporarily Bars Pentagon From Taking Action Against Unvaccinated Sailors
Challenges against covid vaccine mandates continue to make their way through the courts and statehouses while regional governments and businesses mull additional requirements.
Study: Antibodies From Covid Infection Can Later Attack Healthy Organs
The research showed persistent antibodies after six months, even if the patient had not been severely ill with covid. Other news is on covid among deer, “flurona” in unvaxxed pregnant women and more.
Parents Fret As Kids Return To School
Some experts — including Education Secretary Miguel Cardona — insist it’s safe for children to be in the classroom. But what about schools without requirements for masking, vaccines or physical distancing? Many parents are left with no choice but to wait and see.
In Face Of Confusion And Pushback, CDC May Add Testing To Isolation Guidance
Dr. Anthony Fauci signaled that a negative covid test may be added to the recommendation. It would be yet another shift to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines about when someone with covid can come out of isolation. And tests are still hard to come by.
One Day, One Million-Plus Covid Cases: Biden To Speak About Historic Surge
President Joe Biden will address the nation as nearly every corner of it is experiencing an unprecedented rush of covid infections.
Just One More Hurdle To Clear Before Kids Ages 12 To 15 Can Get Booster
The Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved the use of the Pfizer covid vaccine booster for those who are 12 to 15 years old. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to sign off as well this week, as record numbers of children are being hospitalized due to the virus.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Different Takes: Real-Life Impact Of Covid On Nurses; People Are Weary Of Covid Restrictions
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid and vaccine issues.
AstraZeneca Booster Effective Against Omicron; Sinovac’s 3 Doses Aren’t
Oxford scientists, Reuters reports, have found that a booster shot (completing a 3-dose course) of AstraZeneca’s covid shot tackles omicron variant covid. But Bloomberg reports on research showing a 3-dose course of China’s Sinovac vaccine doesn’t produce enough antibodies to combat omicron.
Texas Abortion Providers Push For Fast Appeals Case Hearing
Abortion providers are trying to avoid the delay of moving their case against the state’s abortion laws to the Texas Supreme Court, and want instead to be heard by a district judge. Separately, Ohio’s governor signed a “born alive” bill, which threatens to shutter the last providers in Dayton and Cincinnati.
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 covid, breast cancer, schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, tornado safety and more.
Body Positivity Website Tries To Reduce Stress Of Medical Weigh-Ins
Free “Don’t Weigh Me” cards are being distributed by More-Love.org. Among other health industry news, a group of surgeons is suing UnitedHealth and Aetna, Envision is facing a lawsuit over its role in California EDs, and an apparent cyberattack took down Maryland’s Health Department, including its covid data.
Testing Begins Of Vaccine Against Aggressive Breast Cancer
In other news, the fallout from the conviction of a U.S. researcher for Chinese university ties continues; the contentious decisions facing the Food and Drug Administration; the near future of Alzheimer’s drug maker Biogen; and jurors taking time off in the Elizabeth Holmes trial.
More Colleges Move Online For January; College Football Is Reeling
News outlets report more educational establishments have chosen to shift to remote learning when the spring term starts, in the face of covid outbreaks. Other reports say college football is in “chaos” over game forfeits due to the pandemic, and the potential impact of omicron surges on the championship.
Chicago, Boston, DC Get Vax Passport Rules; Utah Wants To Ban Them
In Chicago and Boston, proof of vaccination will be needed to access indoor spaces like gyms and restaurants. In D.C., people older than 12 will have to show a covid card to enter many businesses. But Utah lawmakers introduced bills aimed at banning “discrimination” over vax status.
Biden’s Vaccine Mandates To Get Special Supreme Court Hearing On January 7
In an unusual action, the Supreme Court scheduled the out-of-session hearing in response to an emergency request to sort through conflicting lower court rulings on federal vaccine requirements that impact millions of health workers and private employers.
Biden Expresses Regret Over Not Escalating Testing Program Months Ago
As his administration tries to work out the logistics of buying and distributing enough covid tests to help combat the winter surge, President Joe Biden admits that they should have made the move sooner. He also touched on how his personal health could impact his 2024 campaign plans.
