Latest KFF Health News Stories
New York’s Medical Staff Vaccine Mandate Blocked By Federal Judge
The temporary block happened after care workers sued over the lack of a religious exemption in New York’s statewide mandate. Separately, Arizona sued the Biden administration over the new national vaccine mandate, arguing it was part of a “radical agenda.”
Soldiers Must Fall In Line, Get Covid Shots In 3 Months Or Face Discharge
The Army announced nearly 500,000 soldiers on active duty now have only three months to be fully vaccinated against covid. The Air Force set a Nov. 2 deadline for active-duty personnel; for the Navy and Marines, it’s Nov. 28.
ER Patients Forced To Wait Hours In Their Cars At Alaska’s Biggest Hospital
Delta has run rampant in the state, where only 60% of its adults are fully vaccinated. As The New York Times reports, Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage is a critical hub for patients from across the state who need a higher level of care that can’t be provided in their home communities. Other surge news is reported from California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia and elsewhere.
Progress In Fighting Covid Stalls Out
Hospitals in the southern U.S. are running dangerously low on space, The New York Times reports. The grim numbers show covid is winning: As of Tuesday night, 663,913 Americans have died of covid, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Newsom Handily Beats Back Recall Effort Spurred By Pandemic Policies
A strong majority of Californians rejected a measure to remove Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom from office. Newsom cast the victory as a vote of confidence for his handling of the covid crisis and support for other positions like abortion rights.
Chokeholds Restricted But Not Banned Under New Justice Department Policy
The Justice Department announced a change Tuesday, barring FBI, DEA and U.S. Marshals Service law enforcement officials from using “chokeholds and carotid restraints,” as well as no-knock warrants, unless they think doing so would save them from death or serious injury.
Political Spotlight Falls On Facebook’s Potential Damaging Impact On Teens
News outlets report on a politically-led probe into Facebook and Instagram’s potentially damaging impact on young users — something Facebook apparently knew about from its own research. Separately, TikTok launches in-app tools to help support users facing mental health issues.
Intraparty Division Over Drug Pricing Threatens Democrats’ Health Priorities
Three moderate House Democrats object to the plan to allow Medicare to broadly negotiate drug prices. Their opposition leaves the future path uncertain for major health policy measures Democrats aimed to include in the massive social safety-net spending package. And for more on the drug-pricing legislation, scroll down to today’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Biggest Social Security Boost In 40 Years Will Aid 68 Million Americans
Estimates from the Senior Citizens League say older Americans could get a cost-of-living increase of around 6% next year–the largest jump in 40 years. Separately, experts warn that covid-based tax collecting shortfalls mean full Social Security benefits may now have to be cut back in 2033 instead of 2034.
Uninsured Numbers Held Flat Even With Pandemic: Census Bureau
According to Census Bureau findings released Tuesday, 8.6% of Americans were uninsured for all of 2020. In 2019, 8% of people were uninsured during the full year; in 2018, it was 8.5%. Other coverage news related to Medicare and Medicaid is also reported.
Emergency Aid Kept More Americans Above The Poverty Line In 2020
According to new Census Bureau data, the official poverty rate rose slightly to 11.4% last year. But that rate fell to 9.1% when taking into account pandemic stimulus aid and unemployment benefits. The uninsured population also rose slightly.
Justice Department Seeks Temporary Injunction On Texas Abortion Law
The Justice Department requested that a federal judge temporarily block the new Texas abortion restrictions while its lawsuit against the state proceeds.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Viewpoints: Is Quarantining Kids In Kansas Illegal?; Mandates May Backfire In Rural Communities
Opinion writers discuss covid, vaccines and vaccine mandates.
Pandemic Put 31 Million More People In Poverty, Gates Foundation Says
The foundation’s fifth annual Goalkeeper report notes the covid pandemic reversed efforts to eliminate poverty globally. Separately, The New York Times reports that a million Afghan children are at risk of starvation. In other news, the U.K. will offer vaccines to kids ages 12 and up.
Report Says Racism, Trauma, Covid Affected Opioid Deaths In Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Inquirer covers efforts to combat opioid deaths in Philadelphia, noting new advice that racism, childhood trauma and the pandemic must factor into city Health Department plans. Separately, reports say Seattle police have intervened in fewer mental health calls under a new approach.
West Nile Virus Alerts Now In 8 States; Rain, Heat Spur Mosquito Swarms
Case reports in animals and humans have seen residents in at least eight states warned over West Nile Virus over the last week. CBS news reports recent high temperatures and storms have created a “breeding ground” for mosquitos. Mental health, anxiety and marijuana use are also in the news.
Lawsuit Alleges Aetna’s Infertility Coverage Biased Against LGBTQ People
A lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York claims Aetna’s infertility treatment coverage rules lead to LGBTQ patients paying tens of thousands of dollars, while heterosexual couples face no cost. Other health care industry news is from Maryland, Vermont, Montana, Louisiana and elsewhere.
Houston Hospitals Near Capacity With Unvaxxed As Tropical Storm Loomed
Nicholas, which made landfall about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday along the Texas coast as a Category 1 hurricane, was downgraded to a tropical storm just hours later. The Houston Chronicle reports on how local hospitals braced for Nicholas despite being close to capacity with covid patients.
