Latest KFF Health News Stories
Last Day To Enroll In Medicare: Watch Out For Drug Coverage
Dec. 7 is the deadline for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll or make changes to their plans. Other reports on Medicare news cover high prices of accelerated-approval drugs, at-home care, telehealth and more.
Biden Focuses On Drug Pricing Measures In Push For Spending Bill Vote
Arguing that the legislation will lower the costs of key prescription drugs like insulin, President Joe Biden urged senators to pass the Build Back America bill. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has targeted a Christmas vote, but thorny negotiations with holdout Democrats casts doubt on that timeline.
Young Adult Myocarditis After Covid Shots Found Mild, Temporary
In other news, a major British study into mixing covid vaccines found that people showed a better immune response after a Pfizer or AstraZeneca shot followed by a Moderna one nine weeks later. The Wall Street Journal reports on the rise in post-booster breakthrough cases, which are still rare.
Gen Z Is More Stressed-Out By Covid Than Other Age Groups
News outlets cover the results of a new U.S. study that says a higher proportion of people in Gen Z than other generations say the pandemic has made their lives difficult. Also, you’re not alone if your blood pressure is up during the covid era — a study shows it’s quite widespread.
NYC Announces Sweeping Vaccine Mandate For Private Businesses
All in-person employees working in the city must have at least one shot of the covid vaccine by Dec. 27, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced. The mandate is expected to be challenged in court. Meanwhile, the impact of surging covid cases and omicron is felt in other localities around the U.S.
There Were Over 4,000 Covid Cases In Indiana School Kids This Week
The 4,321 new weekly covid cases among K-12 students is the highest number since mid-September. Other news outlets report on covid in education, child mental health matters in Louisiana and Miami, and how student health worries caused dorm-cleaning at the University of Georgia.
WHO Finds ‘No Clear Benefit’ To Treating Covid With Convalescent Plasma
The World Health Organization strongly advises against its use. Meanwhile, total confirmed U.S. covid cases approach 50 million. Other pandemic news stories report on hospitalizations, treatments, testing, racial disparities and more.
Glaxo Reports Its Antibody Treatment Is Effective Against Omicron Variant
GlaxoSmithKline says tests show its antibody treatment protects against the mutations from the omicron covid variant. News outlets look at other treatments, as well.
Early Findings: Omicron May Be Milder Than Delta, Might Even Help Defeat It
The omicron variant is proving very contagious but so far seems to cause less-severe illness. That’s good news, some infectious-disease experts say, because it will crowd out the delta variant. Experts say we’ll know in about two weeks whether that’s true.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Disability Services Are In Crisis; Examining The Opioid Epidemic
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health issues.
Opinion writers consider these covid issues.
Christmas Party In Norway May Have Been Omicron Superspreader
Despite safety precautions, reports say a recent gala held by a company in Norway may have caused the biggest omicron covid outbreak outside its source location in South Africa. Reports detail omicron spreading globally, alongside other surges and vaccination efforts.
As Covid Rules Relax, Opioid Overdose Deaths Rise In Central Florida
Health News Florida reports on a spike in overdose deaths in central Florida, and while the pandemic exacerbated the problem, deaths have risen since covid restrictions were lifted. News outlets cover the opioid crisis across the nation, plus other news in Maryland, Iowa and Utah.
IBS Linked To Allergic Response After Abdominal Infection
Fox News’ headline for this story hints that Irritable Bowel Syndrome is sometimes dismissed by clinicians as being imagined. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that flu activity is still rising during the winter season but is lower than usual.
Majority Of Young Adults Are Obese Or Overweight
Fresh Johns Hopkins data says America has a weighty health issue affecting nearly four out of seven people ages 18 to 25. Meanwhile, another study found a third of U.S. children may be underinsured. News on strokes, deaths of Black babies, and high chronic illness rates in Black kids are also reported.
Activists Planning Strategies To Crush, And Defend, Abortion Rights
AP says the anti-abortion movement plans a “state-by-state” battle to suppress abortion, as Mississippi’s Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, says a law banning most abortions is planned. But Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, suggested Roe v. Wade should be coded into law.
Personal Attacks Ratchet Up As Politics Collide With Health Care
Dr. Anthony Fauci hits back at comments made by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.). And Democrats are furious at Republicans who blame President Joe Biden for pandemic woes at the same time they resist mitigation efforts. News outlets also report on the status of the spending bill.
J&J Proves A Good Booster Choice For Pfizer Shot Recipients In Study
This is according to a small study from Boston, which looked at protection given by a J&J booster shot after getting two Pfizer shots originally. Separate news says covid shots give cancer patients good protection and that Pfizer may have a shot for under-5s ready soon.
FDA, CDC Plan Swift Reviews Of Vaccines Revamped For Omicron
Meanwhile, the emergence of omicron has driven vaccination and booster rates up. But some scientists worry that more boosters now could make future vaccines less effective.
