Latest KFF Health News Stories
Bishops’ Abortion-Related Communion Vote Fuels Charges Of Politics, Hypocrisy
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki declined to take a position on the recent vote by U.S. Catholic Bishops to deny communion to politicians who support abortion rights, saying President Joe Biden does not view his faith “through a political prism.” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) spoke out though, calling the bishops “hypocrites” who selectively ignored other political positions.
Deaths Among Medicare Patients In Nursing Homes Jumped 32% Last Year
The report from the HHS inspector general found that about 4 in 10 Medicare recipients in nursing homes had or likely had covid in 2020, and that deaths overall jumped by 169,291 from the previous year, before the coronavirus appeared.
Medicaid Enrollment Rises To Historic Mark Of 80 Million During Pandemic
Nearly 10 million new people enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program from February 2020 to January 2021.
MIS-C May Also Be Possible In Adults
A case involving a Canadian man suggests that the multisystem inflammatory syndrome might not be limited to children. Other covid research is on brain function, survivors’ guilt, the “best” way to get immunity from the virus and more.
“… And Many More!” — Covid Outbreaks Linked To Birthday Parties
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine said households were 31% more likely to test positive for covid within two weeks of someone having held a birthday party. Separately, news outlets report on new hotspots and the fast spread of the delta variant.
No Shortage Of Work For Moderna
The company has announced it is adding two new production lines at its plant near Boston to tackle production of covid booster shots. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense has ordered 200 million more of its shots, while the E.U. has ordered another 150 million.
Michigan Reopens After 15 Months And The Worst Springtime Covid Surge
Meanwhile, the largest union federation, the AFL-CIO, is facing a labor complaint from its own staff over a return-to-work policy compelling office attendance. Amazon’s covid worker safety battle, hospitals requiring staff vaccinations and more are also in the news.
US Covid Deaths Fall Below 300 A Day For First Time In More Than A Year
And the nation hit another encouraging milestone Monday as 150 million Americans were fully vaccinated. First lady Jill Biden is headed to Nashville today to encourage more people to get the jab.
US Vaccine Donations To Fall Short Of 55M June Target; No AstraZeneca Shots
The Biden administration provided more details into its plan for sharing covid vaccine doses with other countries. Logistical challenges in recipient nations and problems at an AstraZeneca production plant mean the next June tranche will be smaller than planned.
Viewpoints: Immigration Centers Struggle With Covid; Missouri Not Faring Well In Covid Fight
Opinion writers examine these Covid and vaccine issues.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Undocumented Immigrants Risk Black Market To ‘Treat’ Covid
The New York Times looks at the “wellness” therapies or black market treatments that undocumented immigrants are turning to when they can’t access traditional health care. Meanwhile, KHN reports on covid care from both sides of the California border.
Editorial writers delve into these various public health topics.
Opinion writers tackle these vaccine issues.
Virginia Mental Health Services ‘Dangerously’ Short-Staffed, Crowded
The state’s nine inpatient psychiatric hospitals, with 2,124 beds, are operating at an average 98% capacity. Florida’s new Purple Alert bill, California’s eviction protections, Montana’s tourists and suspected teen suicide attempts spiked in Connecticut during the pandemic.
Japan Allows Olympic Spectators, With Limits, But Bars Public Viewing
Spectators at official Olympic venues are limited to 10,000 or 50% of capacity — whichever is smaller. But as the covid situation evolves, all spectators could be banned. Meanwhile Qatar says only vaccinated spectators will be able to attend the 2022 soccer World Cup.
TB Outbreak In Spinal Surgery Patients Prompts CDC Investigation
A cluster of tuberculosis infections may be related to use of a single bone repair product. In other news, poor sleep is linked to dementia; respiratory infections stem from red tides in Florida; and Guinea signals an end to a recent Ebola outbreak that killed 12 people.
Racial, Economic Biases Widespread In Health Care Algorithms
Algorithms help medical staff manage a huge array of processes, but Stat reports that these mathematical models are “rife” with bias that unfairly affects how they function. Community health centers, health worker buddy systems, elder care, public health spending increases and violence against staff are also in the news.
Red Cross Begs For Donations As ‘Severe’ Blood Shortage Hits Hospitals
The Red Cross says the nationwide shortage is likely driven by a surge in trauma cases and ER visits, alongside patients who’ve deferred care during the pandemic. ABC News reports that some doctors are having to change how they administer care due to the shortage.
Cost-Effectiveness Data Missing From Drugs That Cost Medicare $50 Billion
A report notes a third of Medicare Part D costs in 2016 were for buying drugs that lacked quality analysis of their cost-effectiveness. Stat, meanwhile, reports on the ineffectiveness of a generics-boosting California law banning coupons for brand-name drugs.
