Latest KFF Health News Stories
Judge: Private Insurance Firm In W.Va. Must Cover Transgender Health Care
Also in the news: sickle-cell patients, health care worker burnout, rural ambulance services, teletherapy and more.
Insurers And Providers Brace For Tricky Fallout From Surprise Billing Law
As the Biden administration begins to implement new protections for consumers, the health industry prepares for the changes that will have a big impact on bills for services like childbirth care and ambulance rides.
In Lancet Report, Two Dozen Experts Say There’s No Proof Of Covid Lab Leak
“We believe the strongest clue from new, credible and peer-reviewed evidence in the scientific literature is that the virus evolved in nature,” the authors wrote in the journal. The same team of scientists had last year dismissed the lab leak idea as a conspiracy theory.
Fauci Highlights Vaccines’ Role In Preventing June Covid Deaths
Speaking to news outlets, Dr. Anthony Fauci noted 99% of “avoidable” covid deaths last month were among unvaccinated people. He also said people should still wear masks even if vaccinated when visiting places with low vaccination rates.
Arkansas Nears 40% Fully Vaccinated But Suffers Covid Spike
Over 1 million in Arkansas are fully vaccinated, but on Monday the state, which is one of the most vaccine-hesitant, reported a spike in new cases over the weekend. Oklahoma’s youth vaccines, mandatory shots for the army, and more are also in the news.
Missouri In Need Of Ventilators As Covid Hospitalizations Jump About 27%
The Show-Me State leads the nation with the most new cases per capita in the past 14 days.
‘Most Patriotic Thing You Can Do’ Is Get Vaccinated, Biden Says On July 4th
“Think about how far we’ve come, from silent streets to crowded parade routes waving American flags,” President Joe Biden said while touting progress against the virus during an Independence Day speech, but warned Americans that covid is not yet “vanquished.”
Pfizer Covid Shot’s Effectiveness Falls To 64% In Israel
In timing that coincides with the growing spread of the delta variant, Israel’s health ministry reports more cases of covid infections and symptomatic illness in vaccinated people. The shot is still seen to be 93% percent effective in preventing hospitalizations and serious illness.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Loneliness Has Serious Health Repercussions; The Filibuster Is Ruining Our Health Care
Editorial writers explore these various public health issues.
Perspectives: How Worried Should We Be About Delta?; Founding Fathers Would Have Been Vaccinated
Opinion writers consider these Covid and vaccine topics.
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 covid, “death doulas,” eating disorders, bisexuality and more.
India’s Covid Death Toll Passes 400,000
Half of India’s deaths attributed to the pandemic have happened in the past two months alone. India’s outbreak of “black fungus” infections is also leaving some people blind. Meanwhile, Axios reports on a rising global threat from drug-resistant fungi.
Cancer-Causing Formaldehyde Found In Houston Air
Levels of formaldehyde at 13 times the minimum health threat level have been found in Houston neighborhoods near the busiest U.S. petrochemical port. Homelessness, California homicides and health care in Alaska’s budget are also in the news.
CDC Studying 3 US Cases Of Melioidosis, Usually Tropical
The bacterial infection is typically an issue in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Meanwhile, Pinterest bans all weight loss ads; Boy Scouts of America reaches a sex abuse settlement deal; and a positive marijuana test threatens an athlete’s Olympics.
‘Heartbreaking’: Deadly Heat Sets Off Public Health Disaster
Despite local officials’ efforts to reach vulnerable people as temperatures hit historic highs in the West, the official death toll continues to rise, with hundreds more possible.
Scientists Invent Temporary Pacemaker That Dissolves After Use
The new battery-free innovation is a type of “bioelectronic” device, and it proved capable of regulating mice heart rhythms in tests. Separately, a report questions the value of genetic risk scores used to select “healthy” embryos during IVF treatments.
Old Medicare Rules Impact Easy Access To Home Medical Equipment
Stat reports on how old federal rules that underpaid home medical equipment companies have combined with pandemic-era sales to impact access to devices. Digital health deals, Walgreens’ foot traffic from vaccines and more are also in the news.
Overworked Missouri Pharmacists Prompt Working Conditions Probe
Hundreds of pharmacists in Missouri had alleged that they were overworked and pressured to meet corporate metrics and that this had impacted the safety of filling prescriptions. Separately, Philadelphia-region nursing homes really are facing a worker shortage.
Surprising Activists, Supreme Court Upholds Arizona’s Voting Restrictions
News outlets report on the Supreme Court’s ruling that supported Arizona’s voting restrictions, including covering a dissenting judge who wrote a “blistering” 41-page dissent describing Arizona’s laws as suppressing minority voters.
