Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Rolls Up His Sleeve For Booster; McConnell, Too, In ‘Easy Decision’
President Joe Biden received his third shot of the Pfizer covid vaccine during an impromptu news conference, as the White House pool recorded the event. He said, “boosters are important, but the most important thing we need to do is get more people vaccinated.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Mississippi Next To Take On Abortion; Covid Worries Keep Patients From Cancer Screenings
Editorial writers delve into these various public health topics.
Different Takes: Will Covid Cause A Physician Shortage?; Reasons US Is So Far Behind On Vaccinations
Opinion writers examine these covid and vaccine topics.
WHO Assembles New Team Of Scientists To Dig Into Covid’s Origins
The Wall Street Journal reports that the new group will examine whether the virus could have emerged from a lab, a hypothesis that has angered China. Other news is from New Zealand, Brazil, Norway, Germany, China and elsewhere.
Georgians Flocked To ACA Exchanges During Special Enrollment
More than 147,000 residents selected an ACA health plan between Feb. 15 and Aug. 15, AP reported. During the same period last year, about 41,000 people in Georgia signed up. Other news is from Kentucky, Ohio and Arizona.
Fewer People Got Food Poisoning In 2020, But The Reasons Why Are Murky
More handwashing, less international travel and restaurant closures may have contributed to the decrease, CIDRAP reports. On the flip side, cases may have been underreported because fewer people may have sought medical help during lockdown.
Who Isn’t Using Telehealth During The Pandemic? Study Breaks It Down
Other health care industry news is on upcoming deadlines for covid-19 grant spending, electronic health records (EHRs), Greenwood Leflore Hospital’s financial troubles and FDA leadership.
After Feds Ration Regeneron, Florida Buys A Different Monoclonal Antibody
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the shipment of 3,000 doses of sotrovimab to help the state overcome its covid surge. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization officially recommended Regeneron but criticized its pricing and distribution.
The ‘Dire’ State Of Surge In Hot Spots: Full Hospitals, Full Morgues
While the delta-driven surge is starting to loosen up in some areas, health officials are extremely worried for harder-hit sections of the U.S. In Montana, a Veterans Affairs facility has started to treat people not associated with the military. And morgues in Idaho report that they’re out of space.
Vaccine Hesitancy Has Waned, Poll Suggests
Even so, reaching holdouts — especially teens — has become tougher and tougher. In other news, a new vaccine patch developed at UNC Chapel Hill could change everything about how vaccines are administered, ABC11 reports.
Biden Slams Unvaxxed Americans, Says He’ll Push Mandates ‘Wherever I Can’
During a national address Friday, President Joe Biden criticized the more than 70 million people who haven’t started the vaccination process. “And to make matters worse, there are elected officials actively working to undermine with false information the fight against covid-19. This is totally unacceptable.”
Confusion Swirls Over Who May Get A Vaccine Booster
Doctors report a flood of questions from patients about who is eligible for another covid vaccine dose and whether they “may” or “should” get one. Dr. Rochelle Walensky acknowledges that a lot of the disarray stems from early White House messaging that boosters would be available to all — only to be followed by much more limited approval by the FDA and CDC last week.
NY May Turn To National Guard To Bridge Looming Health Worker Gaps
State officials are anticipating that thousands of health care workers could lose their jobs when a vaccination mandate goes into effect today. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says that the National Guard or out-of-state medical workers could be used to plug the shortages.
More Kids Get Covid At Schools Without Mask Mandate: CDC Studies
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released two new studies that both show greater protections against covid for students and staff at schools where face coverings are required. Other covid development impacting children’s health is also in the news.
House Passes Abortion Rights Measure In Largely Symbolic Vote
The Women’s Health Protection Act was approved in a 218-211 vote Friday night, with one Democrat crossing party lines. With little chance of getting past a filibuster, the bill is viewed as dead on arrival in the Senate.
Get Ready: Critical Week On Hill Will Shape Fiscal Future, Biden’s Agenda
Amid shaky support within its own caucus, House Democratic leaders are continuing to move forward on dual tracks with the massive social spending package and a Thursday vote on the infrastructure bill. Also in the mix is the debt limit and partial government shutdown threats.
Life Expectancy For US Men Drops 2.2 Years Due To Covid
That’s the most of anywhere in the study, which shows the impact of the pandemic on the U.S., most of Europe and Chile. Life expectancy for U.S. women dipped 1.65 years. The declines were bigger for men than women in most of the 29 countries analyzed.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
