Sending Zika Money To The States Could Still Take Months
October 4, 2016
Morning Briefing
Health officials unveil the plan for distributing the $1.1 billion Congress approved last week after months of political stalemate. The delay hurt efforts to combat the virus, an Obama administration official says.
Congressional Talks Over Zika Funding Stall Again
September 14, 2016
Morning Briefing
The Hill reports that progress has snagged on a stopgap funding measure that includes a rider to provide emergency Zika funding among other things. Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Rick Scott blasted congressional Democrats and the Obama administration as he made his case to Republicans to approve the federal resources to combat the virus.
State Highlights: Texas Gets Nearly $200M In Zika Funding; Mich. Gov. Says He Has ‘No Reason To Be Concerned’ About Potential Flint Charges
December 23, 2016
Morning Briefing
Outlets report on health news from Texas, Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, Hawaii, Illinois and California.
Standing Water Left From Hurricane Offers New Breeding Ground For Zika Mosquitoes
October 11, 2016
Morning Briefing
Although the biggest health threat following the hurricane is the potential for injury as people start to rebuild, this year there’s an added danger with the Zika virus. In other news, a look at how a hospital system handled Hurricane Matthew.
Thoughts On Zika: Undercounting The Public Health Threat
August 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
Some columnists offer thoughts on the Zika response and public health strategies to combat the virus.
Roundup: ‘Minibrains’ May Help Zika, Alzheimer’s Research; Many Parents Pick Pediatricians Who Insist On Vaccinations
November 14, 2016
Morning Briefing
In other public health news, the trauma of the Dallas police shootings still reverberates and two new studies quantify the need for a community-based health approach. News outlets also report on “elder orphans,” the social stigma of diabetes and work wellness programs.
‘The Babies Cannot Stop Crying’: Treating Zika’s Smallest Patients
July 25, 2016
Morning Briefing
Although much of the focus has been on prevention and vaccines, experts are scrambling to help doctors and families understand the lifelong ramifications of microcephaly and other Zika-related developmental disorders.
Expert Demoted After Raising Concerns About Efficacy Of CDC’s Zika Test
September 28, 2016
Morning Briefing
Robert Lanciotti says the test the agency recommends misses nearly 40 percent of Zika infections. He has since been reinstated after filing a whistleblower retaliation claim.
There’s A Striking Divide In Health Between Rural, Urban Americans
January 13, 2017
Morning Briefing
Rural Americans are more likely to die from one of the top five causes of death than their urban counterparts. CDC says the difference can be attributed to factors including smoking rates, opioid use, poverty levels, poor nutrition, levels of physical activity, and access to health care. In other public health news: superbugs, Zika, allergies, cancer-causing foods, diabetes and marijuana.
Republicans Likely To Drop Planned Parenthood Provision For Zika Funding
September 12, 2016
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers are expected to vote on a stripped down version of the $1.1 billion package in combination with the spending bill. In other news, officials in Puerto Rico are warning that there aren’t enough resources to fund the fight against the virus, spraying in Miami beach has commenced and more stories on Zika.
Burwell Says ‘Beat Goes On’ As HHS Seeks To Expand Health Law’s Influence
By Mary Agnes Carey
February 5, 2016
KFF Health News Original
Despite closing the open enrollment just a week ago, the secretary of Health and Human Services says her department is thinking about next year already and hoping to make progress on Medicaid expansion.
CDC Declares Victory Against Zika In Florida Neighborhood, Lifts Travel Advisory
September 20, 2016
Morning Briefing
No new cases of Zika have been reported in Wynwood since early August. The attention is now shifting to Miami Beach, where more mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus.
FDA: All Donated Blood Should Be Screened For Zika
August 29, 2016
Morning Briefing
The agency — in an effort to safeguard the nation’s blood supply — says even centers in states where Zika is not circulating should take precautions. Meanwhile, the Obama administration is warning that all funding will be exhausted by the end of September.
The Zika Coffers Are Bare, CDC Director Warns
August 31, 2016
Morning Briefing
If the virus starts spreading more broadly within the country, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the agency’s hands will be tied as its financial resources will run out next month.
Congress Needs To Fund Zika Battle, Most Americans Say
September 1, 2016
Morning Briefing
A new survey finds that three-quarters of Americans rank the allocation of money for Zika as an important or top priority for Congress when it is back in session.
Democrats: We’re Ready To Compromise On Zika Funding
September 8, 2016
Morning Briefing
If Republican lawmakers drop the Planned Parenthood restrictions, Democrats say the lower amount of funding — $1.1 billion — would be acceptable.
Nonprofit Groups, With U.S. And British Backing, To Test Infecting Mosquitos With Bacteria
October 27, 2016
Morning Briefing
The experiment will take place in cities in Brazil and Colombia over two to three years. Also, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the Zika virus is in the U.S. to stay.
Congress Still Battling Over Funding Bill That Includes Zika Money, But Optimism Grows
September 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
Republicans have already agreed to drop some controversial provisions that had been holding up Zika funding, but the deal is still not quite ready yet.
The Uphill Battle Of Fighting Zika: Americans Just Aren’t Worried Enough
September 15, 2016
Morning Briefing
A recent survey showed that two-thirds of Americans were “not too” worried or “not at all” worried about the disease. And without proper funding, public education becomes a crucial element to battling Zika. If people don’t care, though, that leaves officials at a loss. Meanwhile, a new poll shows that there are shifting views on late-term abortions now that the virus is spreading.
From Ultrasounds To Speech Therapy: Zika’s Long-Term Price Tag Incalculable
July 21, 2016
Morning Briefing
Treating the virus and its effects will likely cost billions upon billions of dollars for 2016 alone. But so many unknowns remain about the long-term price tag. In other news, a research team has received the go-ahead to begin testing a vaccine on humans, Florida officials are testing local mosquitoes for the virus, and an infectious disease expert weighs in on the investigation into the first possible U.S.-based case of Zika.
