Latest KFF Health News Stories
Summer Covid Surge May Be Waning, But Worries Over Kids Remain High
In the U.S. the seven-day average number of infections, as well as hospitalizations, are starting to fall. Yet groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics are very concerned by the 240% jump in cases of children getting covid since July, especially as more return to school.
CMS Moves To Roll Back Medicare Coverage Of ‘Breakthrough’ Devices
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposes to repeal a regulation enacted during the Trump administration that requires Medicare to pay for any medical device classified as “breakthrough” technology by the Food and Drug Administration.
DeSantis Threatens $5,000 Fine For Each Employee Facing Vax Mandates
Reports say “millions” of dollars in fines could be levied against local governments in Florida under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to oppose efforts to mandate protection for staff. Separately, two Florida hospitals are worried over staffing for President Joe Biden’s vaccine push.
In Vote Today, Californians Will Have Their Say On Newsom’s Covid Policies
At a rally Monday in support of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden said, “The decision you’re going to make isn’t just going to have a huge impact on California, it’s going to reverberate around the nation, and quite frankly, not a joke, around the world.”
Will Politicization Of Covid Vaccine Mandates Extend To Other Shots?
Some public health experts worry that the fiery rhetoric over the new federal covid vaccine requirements will threaten other common school and military mandates for inoculation against other viruses.
Covid Rages In School-Age Kids As Officials Wrangle Over Mask Mandates
A federal judge issued a temporary order blocking a law banning Iowa schools from requiring masks. In Kentucky, the governor noted school-age children are catching covid faster than any other group and urged schools to mask-up. And a battle in a Florida county over mask rules also covers stimulus money.
Some Inmates On Home Confinement Now Allowed To Apply For Clemency
Politico reports that those prisoners fall into a specific category: drug offenders released to home under the pandemic relief bill known as the CARES Act with four years or less on their sentences.
Scientists Resist Booster Push, Say Shots Not Needed For Most Right Now
Experts suggest government vaccine efforts would be better spent on reaching the unvaxxed until more data are available. Other reports across the country point to how some people are already seeking boosters, even if they’re healthy.
Supreme Court Asked To Uphold Roe V. Wade In Another Major Abortion Case
In a court brief, a Mississippi abortion clinic and doctor urged the Supreme Court justices to strike down a Mississippi state law that effectively bans the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy and warned of national “chaos” if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
American And Unvaxxed? France Says ‘Non’ To Your Visit
CNN reports France is the latest European country — and “the most significant tourism destination” there yet — to remove the U.S. from its “green” safe travel list. Separately, Axios reports France has granted citizenship to 12,000 covid frontline workers who helped the country weather the pandemic.
Controversy Over Rules For ‘Prison-Like’ NY Facility For Autistic Children
At issue is a threat by New York officials to revoke funding for long-term care unless parents move their children from out-of-state centers to a secure facility in New York. Meanwhile, California’s State Senate approved a bill allowing the state to keep data on workplace covid outbreaks secret.
California Voters To Decide Fate Of Gov. Newsom And His Covid Policies
Tomorrow’s recall election hinges on the topic of covid lockdowns, some of the strictest in the nation. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, says they have been necessary to protect Californians. Recent polling suggests he is likely to become the first California governor to survive a recall attempt.
American Academy Of Pediatrics Calls FDA’s Juul Decision Delay Reckless
Last week the Food and Drug Administration banned nearly a million e-smoking products but postponed a decision on giant vape brand Juul — drawing criticism from the AAP on the risk to young people. Cruise ships in Baltimore, Latino heart health and more are also in the news.
Huge Part Of Potential Patient Pool Excluded In Aduhelm Clinical Trials
A study found as many as 92% of Medicare beneficiaries, who’d comprise a key portion of potential patients, would have been excluded from Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug trials. Meanwhile, an analysis of drug labeling says a third of the uses for cancer drugs stay on labels after being unconfirmed.
Georgia Hospital Ransomware Hack Prompts Patients’ Class-Action Lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 1.4 million people whose data may have been compromised in a recent ransomware attack. Competition in health insurance exchanges, HCA Houston Medical Center’s new CEO and OptumHealth’s LGBTQ+ healthcare education program are also in industry news.
Louisiana Nursing Home Deaths During Hurricane Ida Prompt System Changes
The AP reports deaths of seven Louisiana nursing home residents evacuated during Hurricane Ida caused Louisiana’s Department of Health to look into future evacuation and sheltering planning. Separately, a study shows many early nursing home covid deaths likely went unreported.
Abortion Among Divisive Issues Driving Supreme Court Questions
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett touched on the perception that politics are impacting court decisions during public remarks over the weekend. And Justice Stephen Breyer addressed calls for his retirement. Meanwhile, Texas’ restrictive abortion law continues to make waves.
Biden’s Covid-Testing Push Expected To Stretch Suppliers
The Washington Post explains how the president’s expansion of covid testing further emphasizes at-home testing. This, the Wall Street Journal notes, will stress suppliers — with CVS and Walgreens already limiting how many tests people can buy.
Midterm Pressures May Slim Down $3.5T Social Safety Net Package
News outlets report on Democrats’ worries over a planned massive spending package designed to boost the social safety net and climate change issues. 2022 midterms may be playing a role in scaling back ambitions. New taxes, child tax credit and Medicare expansion and more are also in the news.
