Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care Worker Mandates See Mixed Results; Many Employees Fired
Data from New York show that hospitals saw a marked increase in the number of vaccinated workers as the deadline approached. But in Rhode Island, 92 facilities didn’t meet the deadline. Meanwhile, three more airlines have announced that their employees will be required to get the jab.
Abortion, Gun Rights On Docket As Supreme Court Opens New Session
Court watchers are anticipating landmark decisions with the strong majority of conservative justices as they kick off the fall session today — in person for the first time since the covid pandemic hit.
Fractured Democrats Search For Deals On Spending Bills
The weekend brought little progress on reaching agreement between the moderate and progressive wings of the party on the intertwined infrastructure and social spending packages. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer set a new target goal for passage of next month.
J&J To File This Week For Booster Shot Approval
Johnson & Johnson plans to apply early this week to the Food and Drug Administration for authorization to administer a second dose of its covid vaccine.
Ending The Pandemic Through Vaccines May Need 90% To Get Shots
Fox News covers an interview with Dr. Eric Topol, founder of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, talking about the challenges of vaccinating against the virus in the era of delta covid. Booster shots have been given to 2 million people in the last week, according to the White House.
California School Kids Will Be Required To Get Vaccinated Against Covid
It’s the first state to mandate the shot for all students — which will not go into effect until a vaccine for younger kids is approved by the FDA. Separately, the Supreme Court allowed New York’s teacher and school staff vaccination requirement to stand.
More Than 700,000 Americans Have Died From Covid
News outlets cover the tragic figure, reached late Friday. AP notes the total is larger than the population of Boston and that the last 100,000 of the deaths occurred during a period when vaccines were freely available. ABC News reports the total also beats cancer death numbers.
As Holiday Season Approaches, Will It Be Safe To Gather?
Dr. Anthony Fauci says it’s too soon to know what’s going to be advised for December: “We’ve just got to concentrate on continuing to get those numbers down and not try to jump ahead by weeks or months and say what we’re going to do at a particular time.” And before that, parents must decide how to approach Halloween.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Supreme Court Justice Kavanaugh Tests Positive For Covid
The Supreme Court says that Brett Kavanaugh — who is not experiencing symptoms and is fully vaccinated — was tested as part of its protocols. The court’s fall term is scheduled to start on Monday.
Viewpoints: Do Health Tracking Devices Help Or Harm?; Medication Abortion Lets Patients Self-Manage
Editorial pages tackle these public health issues.
Perspectives: Covid-19 Rapid Tests Key To Resuming Normalcy; Analyzing Sham Covid Treatments
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
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, abortion, dementia, chemotherapy, broken bones and more.
Australia To Reopen Long-Closed Border, Approves China’s Covid Shot
News outlets note “Fortress Australia” is coming to an end in November as the nation reopens its mostly closed border to international travelers. Australia also approved China’s Sinovac covid shot. China, the E.U., flu vaccines, asthma drugmaker Vectura and more are also in the news.
#FreeBritney Not Just A Meme: Newsom Signs Conservator Reform Law
Politico reports on moves to help improve conservatorship laws which have led to “exploitation” of “many” Californians, including Britney Spears. Meanwhile, NBC News covers efforts to block “dozens” of bills targeting trans people that have been considered by Texas lawmakers.
Study Says Undercount Of Deaths From Police Violence Is ‘Vast’
A study published in the Lancet says official figures didn’t represent 55.5% of the true total deaths from police violence that occurred over four decades. Meanwhile, USA Today notes police kill more people in Oklahoma than any other state. News outlets report on other health and race issues.
Scientists Hope The Opioid Epidemic May Have A Vaccine-Based Solution
Meanwhile, during a two-month program, the Drug Enforcement Agency has seized enough fentanyl-related drugs to kill more than 700,000 people. Axios reports that the covid pandemic worsened the opioid problem in the U.S. Also, California tries a novel pay-to-avoid-drugs program.
Closed Schools Drove Teen Vaping Down, But 2 Million Still Vaped In 2021
Pandemic-related school closures are reported to have led to a dramatic drop in teenagers using vape or e-cigarette products, but the CDC still needed to issue a warning after reports that 2 million teens have vaped in 2021. Seasonal affective disorder, food stamps, a sunscreen recall and more are also in the news.
The Cost Of People Who Went To The ER But Didn’t Need To? $47B Yearly
Modern Healthcare covers news about incorrect use of hospital emergency services and the huge costs incurred each year. Also in the news, a potential Kaiser Permanente strike; the struggle to train new nursing staff; medical AI company Dascena; ransomware attacks and more.
By Mapping Proteins, Scientists Can Potentially See How Cancers Grow
Axios and other news outlets report on a new analysis that mapped 395 protein systems in 13 cancer types, focusing on data from studies on head and neck squamous cell cancers and breast cancers. The information could help them find new treatments.
