Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Demands More Intel Into Lab Vs. Animal Theories On Covid Origins
President Joe Biden ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to “redouble” investigations into the two most plausible causes of the coronavirus crisis — a “lab leak” in Wuhan, China or human contact with an infected animal — and deliver better information in 90 days.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Transplant Patients Still Fear Covid Risk; Nepal Needs US Help Acquiring Vaccines
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid, vaccine and mask issues.
Viewpoints: Weight Loss Industry Ramping Back Up; Fixing The Broken Mental Health Care System
Editorial pages delve into these public health issues.
Mystery ‘Smear Campaign’ Against Pfizer Vaccine Hits France
Attempts to “woo” social media influencers with payments to bad-mouth the Pfizer covid vaccine are investigated in France; Russia is suspected. Meanwhile the EU takes AstraZeneca to court over delayed deliveries and hackers release private patient data in New Zealand.
Masks In Schools Remain A Flashpoint
The continued use of mask in schools, on school buses and in other places students congregate has become the latest divisive political issue.
Troubled California, Georgia Nursing Homes Escape Repercussions
An investigation in California finds nursing homes continued to operate even after the state denied licenses to the company that owns them. And reporters in Georgia detail how the state sent money to many nursing homes for doing well protecting residents from covid-19 while also fining them for safety violations. Also, a Connecticut task force calls for reform of nursing homes there.
Massachusetts Healthiest State In Survey, Hawaii Drops To Second Place
Sharecare’s regular Community Well-Being Index, which surveys quality of life in all 50 states, has just been published for the last year. Reports also cover efforts to recall California’s governor, Mississippi’s last abortion clinic, Puerto Rico’s unlocking, a vaccine waste surge in Oregon and more.
Dentists Faced Less Danger In Pandemic
In other news: rural hospital closing affects Black communities in the pandemic, unnecessary treatments and more on tocilizumab as a covid treatment.
Regulators Link Amazon’s Warehouse Work Pace To Injuries
Other public health news reports on lead pipe replacement, the cost of homeless camps, a CDC study of pond algae and garden fertilizer ingredients.
Drug Discount Programs May Not Be Cutting Costs
Other health industry news on a new Alzheimer’s drug, a look at what’s behind those Well building ads and how Millennials impact health insurance costs.
Impact Of Racial Trauma In Pandemic On Mental Health
Also, a deep dive into the police use of so-called non-lethal weapons during protests in Minneapolis.
Holdout Red States Resist Democrats’ Incentives To Expand Medicaid
The financial bonuses Congress offered 12 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act appear to be having no effect. Wisconsin lawmakers turned down an extra $1 billion Tuesday. In one of those states, Missouri, lawmakers also are taking a hard line and have not continued a long-standing program to help finance the regular Medicaid program.
Pressure Rises For ‘Transparent’ Investigation Into Covid’s Origins
Speaking at the World Health Assembly, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra pushed for a “transparent, science-based” follow-up investigation into where the coronavirus pandemic originated. Reports note the matter is causing political turmoil.
Democrats’ Hopes For Drug Pricing Bill Slips As Biden Pushes Other Priorities
President Joe Biden is expected to omit drug pricing proposals from his budget plan later this week, and Democratic lawmakers are at odds on what bills they can support. But that isn’t stopping drugmakers from launching a major ad campaign attacking efforts to rein in their prices.
WHO Pushes Treaty On Future Pandemics Until November
Pressure from the U.S. and other nations caused the delay. Separately, the World Health Organization is looking into Italy’s pandemic response and a potential second Chinese vaccine.
Covid Cases Fall, But Pandemic Isn’t Over Yet
The CDC is concerned about Memorial Day celebrations spreading covid. Higher covid rates are still reported for Black and Hispanic Americans. And HHS will fund testing for uninsured people.
From 0 To 50% In 6 Months: Half Of American Adults Are Fully Vaccinated
As the U.S. passes a huge milestone, campaigns to vaccinate younger people are increased. And some states are trying creative ways to get shots in the arms of the remaining population.
CDC Says ‘Breakthrough’ Post-Vaccine Covid Cases Are Rare
Data shows only around 10,000 people were infected with coronavirus after they’d been fully vaccinated, the CDC revealed. Only 2% of those people then died. More than 130 million people have been fully vaccinated.
Moderna To Seek FDA Authorization For Use Of Its Vaccine In Teens
Moderna said its vaccine is good for children as young as 12 and will submit its data to FDA next month for approval. Other news related to youth vaccinations includes the CDC’s myocarditis probe, testing younger kids and mandates.
