Latest KFF Health News Stories
Message Of Vaccine Efficacy Getting Lost, Health Experts Worry
Emphasizing that the original goal of the covid vaccine was to protect against severe forms of the disease is key to getting more shots in arms, public health officials say. News outlets also report on new ways that the vaccine could reach more people.
Pfizer Boosters Still Targeted To Start In 2 Weeks, But Moderna’s May Lag
The Biden administration wants more dosage data from Moderna before it authorizes a third shot.
In Reversal, Ohio Hospital Doesn’t Have To Give Ivermectin To Covid Patient
The family of the ailing man said they will not appeal the decision because he has already received 13 days of doses and will soon be taken off a ventilator.
“I don’t care what this judge says,” one of their attorneys said. “We are believers he’s going to survive because of ivermectin.”
Covid Cases: Thought Labor Day Would Be Better This Year? You Were Wrong
Daily infections are more than four times what they were during Labor Day weekend 2020, when the United States didn’t have a covid vaccine. Meanwhile, the mu variant, also known as B.1.621, has been detected in Los Angeles County.
State Aid Is Only Option For Jobless As Federal Unemployment Benefits Expire
The Biden administration and federal lawmakers gamble that hiring will bolster Americans who have been unemployed longer than 6 months and the self-employed or gig workers, as jobless benefits for both groups ended yesterday.
Justice Department ‘Urgently’ Exploring Challenges To Texas Abortion Ban
Attorney General Merrick Garland said his agency will enforce a federal law that prohibits threatening or physically preventing a person from seeking an abortion. He did not specify what other measures the Justice Department is considering in response to the Supreme Court allowing Texas’ “heartbeat” law to stand.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks, Part 2: All About The Pandemic
We know you’ll miss us next week, so we’ve included more great stories to keep you busy until the Morning Briefing returns after Labor Day.
Editorial writers consider the Mental Health Access Improvement Act and the nursing shortage.
Perspectives: Preventive Treatments Versus A Booster Shot; Should Unvaxxed Bear Financial Burden?
Opinion writers explore these covid and vaccine topics.
Las Vegas Teachers Health Trust Can’t Cover Claims From Before July
Clark County teachers learned their health insurance trust has no money to cover claims made before July. In other news, Washington state kills its first “murder hornet” nest; Florida hasn’t spent $820 million to benefit low-income children; pushback on San Francisco’s homeless plan; and more.
Japanese Moderna Shot Contaminant Thought To Be Metal Particles
The country had earlier suspended use of 1.63 million doses of the Moderna vaccine that were bottled by Spanish pharma company Rovi. Meanwhile, Pfizer and BioNTech made a new deal to make covid shots for Latin America. Vaccine inequality and Chinese vaccines are also in the news.
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 abortion, ADHD, horseshoe crabs, hot dogs and more.
Overdose Deaths From Meth, Alcohol, Fentanyl Hit Record In New Mexico
2020’s all-time overdose death peak in New Mexico included a nearly 129% year-on-year growth in fentanyl-related deaths. Meanwhile, California shelved a bill that had proposed decriminalizing some psychedelic drugs. Philadelphia’s injection site and the Sackler family are also in the news.
Cigna Expands ACA Health Coverage To 3 New States, 93 Counties
Pending regulatory approval, Cigna’s individual and family plans will be available to customers using Affordable Care Act marketplaces in Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. In other news, a nursing shortage in California is reportedly at “crisis point.”
Sexual Abuse Survey Finds 1 In 4 College Athletes Experienced Abuse
Separately, a study found that breast cancer screening rates dropped during the pandemic, with minorities and uninsured people most affected. Air quality alerts from hazardous wildfire smoke and rates of suicidal thoughts in veterans are also in the news.
Clemency Appeals For Prisoners Released Due To Covid Put To Biden Administration
Business owners who hired nonviolent offenders who were allowed to serve time at home during the pandemic are asking the Justice Department to allow prisoners to continue doing so. Other Biden administration news focuses on other areas of its covid response.
FDA Begins E-Cigarette Crackdown, Ordering 55,000 Products To Be Pulled
Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products from three manufacturers were blocked by the Food and Drug Administration, in what industry watchers view as the start of a potentially large shake up of the marketplace. News outlets report on what it may mean for other companies like Juul.
Mandates, Court Battles And Regrets: Mask Wars Play Out In Venues Across US
The editors of this newsletter wouldn’t even hazard a guess as to how many times we’ve written a variation of this headline, yet 18 months into the pandemic, the battles over face coverings continue to flare in most states.
More Companies Tighten Vaccine Rules
GM will require its salaried workers to disclose their vaccination status; the NFL is seriously weighing a vaccine mandate for players; more hospitals say yes to mandates; most Green Card applicants must show proof of vaccination; and more.
