Latest KFF Health News Stories
Indoor Mask Mandate Returns To LA County To Stave Off Delta Cases
Los Angeles County ordered everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to again wear face coverings inside public spaces as covid hospitalizations tick up. News outlets report on how businesses and pandemic-weary residents are reacting to the abrupt reversal, as well as the impact on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recall chances.
As Covid Retrenches In Hot Spots, Federal Surge Teams Face Obstacles
Delta-driven cases are on the rise in 47 states, but particularly in conservative-majority areas of the U.S. Yet, those same populations have proven to be the most resistant to mitigation and vaccination efforts that Biden administration surge teams will try to bring in. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization raises the specter of even more dangerous virus variants emerging if the pandemic is not controlled.
Surgeon General Warns Against ‘Urgent Threat’ Of Health Disinformation
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory, calling on tech platforms to do more to curb the online flow of bad covid information. And he wants Americans to stop helping its spread: “If you’re not sure, not sharing is often the prudent thing to do.” Murthy also delivered a very personal plea to the unvaccinated, talking of his 10 relatives who have died from the virus who would have been grateful to get the shot.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle the covid-19 pandemic.
WHO Says Covid Deaths Are Rising Globally — Again
A report from the World Health Organization notes that although deaths from covid globally had been falling for nine weeks, now they are rising again — with Africa and Southeast Asia suffering most. Reuters reports on Indonesia’s covid “worst-case scenario.”
Research Roundup: Covid; Children Hurt By Firearms; TB; Gut Bacteria
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
In Oregon, Heat Wave Mainly Killed The Old; In General, Heat Hits The Poor
Data from Oregon’s Multnomah County shows a majority of recent heat wave victims were elderly men living alone with no central AC. And a study in the journal Earth’s Future shows extreme heat is usually worse for low-income, non-white Americans.
Gun Violence Pushes Up Health Costs By $1 Billion Yearly
Data from the Government Accountability Office show treating firearm-related injuries in the U.S. is expensive, with public programs like Medicaid often getting the bill. Amazon, contaminated sunscreen, beach sewage, red tides and more are also in the news.
Apple Inches Back Curtain On Health Tech In Its Walking Steadiness System
Stat reports on Apple’s upcoming system aimed at preventing falls in older people. Progeria and CRISPR, DNA source testing of E. coli, expanding gene therapy to more patients and rising numbers of Black patients in cancer clinical trials are also in the news.
Oscar Health Adds Inclusive Identity Options For LGBTQ+ Community
Oscar Health’s user interface tool, called MyIdentity, now allows all members to add their first and last name, pronouns and identified gender. Meanwhile, reports in Modern Healthcare cover providers vowing to fight this year’s Medicare pay freeze.
Acting FDA Chief Says Agency May Have Mishandled Aduhelm Approval
Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock was emphatic in her defense of the drug, and the Food and Drug Administration’s approval, but admitted possible poor handling during the process. Separately, reports say some outlets won’t administer Aduhelm.
Implant Reads Paralyzed Man’s Thoughts, Lets Him ‘Speak’ Again
News outlets cover a feat of medical science and machine learning, where a man who suffered a brain stem stroke that paralyzed him and left him unable to speak can now (slowly) communicate with words on computer screen merely by thinking.
Some Republicans Swing Pro-Vax, But Anti-Vaxxer Rhetoric Is Rising
According to The New York Times, some elected Republicans are feeling pressure from health advocates and are speaking out to boost vaccinations. But The Hill reports on a rise in anti-vaccination rhetoric among other elected officials and the right-wing media.
Undervaccinated Areas Fall Behind In ‘Race Against Time’ To Halt Delta
While 47 states report week-over-week increases in new covid cases, the hardest-hit regions are primarily — wait for it — ones with low vaccination rates. The schism between vaccinated and unvaccinated Americans is also on display in hospitalizations. Meanwhile, nursing homes are again reporting spikes again.
Biden Administration Walks Back Stricter Safety Rules For Public Housing
NBC reports that the original HUD proposal, released in July 2020, required at least one fire extinguisher per floor, calling it a “life-threatening issue.” The agency has since eliminated the requirement and will only consider fire extinguishers to be missing if there is “evidence of prior installation,” such as a bracket on the wall.
Democrats Float Drug-Pricing Changes To Help Pay For Massive Budget Bill
President Joe Biden met with Senate Democrats yesterday to rally support for the recently announced deal on a $3.5 trillion spending package that aims to boost the nation’s so-called human infrastructure. News outlets dive into details of the draft plan, which includes drug-pricing policies to offset costs and expands Medicare to include dental, vision and hearing coverage.
Schumer Releases Bill To Decriminalize Pot; Viewed As A Long Shot
The proposed legislation would legalize marijuana, treating the drug like alcohol or tobacco. It would also expunge related federal sentences. Despite the clout of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the measure faces a long road in Congress. And the White House is not backing it.
ACA Special Enrollment Signups Top 2 Million: HHS
Total enrollment has reached all-time highs since the Biden administration reopened the Affordable Care Act marketplaces on Feb. 15. About 1.2 million enrolled through healthcare.gov while 600,000 signed up on state exchanges.
