Vaccines
Biden’s New Plan to Combat COVID is a Start, but Experts Say There Is a Ways to Go
The plan includes vaccine mandates for federal workers and those at companies with 100 or more employees, but some experts say it doesn’t go far enough
Stories by Kaiser Health News
Public Health
Wildfire Smoke Drives People Indoors, Raising COVID Risk
The particulates in smoke also cause lung inflammation that may make people more susceptible to the virus
Policy
Supreme Court Upholds the Affordable Care Act—Again
By a vote of 7-2, the court declined to overturn the landmark health care law for the third time
Public Health
Labor Department Issues Emergency Rules to Protect Health Care Workers from COVID
The new rules would require employers to notify workers of possible exposure to the disease and to report deaths or hospitalizations to the government
Public Health
More Women Than Men Are Getting COVID Vaccines
The reasons may include women’s roles as caregivers and their greater likelihood of seeking out preventive health care in general
Public Health
Vermont to Give Minority Residents Priority for COVID Vaccines
But some health experts say people of color still need improved access to vaccination sites, along with more information
Public Health
Rapid COVID Tests Are Coming to Stores Near You
Companies backed by millions in public and private cash are racing to bring the tests to market
Public Health
COVID Cases Plummet among Nursing Home Staffers despite Vaccine Hesitancy
The decline suggests the vaccine is having an effect even though workers have been slower to take it than residents
Public Health
CDC’s ‘Huge Mistake’: Did Misguided Mask Advice Drive Up COVID Death Toll for Health Workers?
Until a month ago, the agency advised that a surgical mask was sufficient unless workers were performing “aerosol-generating procedures”
Medicine
New Johnson & Johnson Shot Prevents Severe COVID As Well As Existing Vaccines Do, Experts Say
Trials of all three vaccines came up with different efficacy numbers, but all offer crucial protection in this health emergency
Public Health
Why the U.S. Is Underestimating COVID Reinfection
Many U.S. states aren’t rigorously tracking or investigating suspected cases of reinfection
Public Health
Biden Aims for 100 Million COVID Vaccinations in First 100 Days
It will not be an easy task
Public Health
The White House—Scene of COVID Outbreaks under Trump—Will Get a Deep Clean for President-Elect Biden
Fears about lingering coronavirus are prompting a massive disinfection initiative before the Bidens move in
Public Health
Black Americans Are Getting COVID Vaccines at Lower Rates Than White Americans
In 16 states that have released data by race, white residents are being vaccinated at much higher rates—in many cases two to three times higher
Policy
Biden’s Health and Human Services Nominee Has Political Skill but No Frontline Health Experience
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has never held a position in public health administration, but he has led dozens of lawsuits to protect the Affordable Care Act and health rights...
Medicine
For Billion-Dollar COVID Vaccines, Basic Government-Funded Science Laid the Groundwork
Much of the pioneering work on mRNA vaccines was done with government money, though drugmakers could walk away with big profits
Public Health
Biden’s Health Agenda Dims with GOP Likely to Hold Senate
Joe Biden won the election, but Senate Republicans could block his attempts to expand the Affordable Care Act
Policy
How the Election Could Affect Health Care and Drug Policy
The outcome could have important consequences for Medicaid, abortion access, and legalization of marijuana and other drugs
Medicine
Billions of Dollars for Stem Cell Research Institute On California’s November Ballot
Voters must decide whether to keep financing the second largest funder of stem cell science in the world
Public Health
How Ginsburg’s Death Threatens the Affordable Care Act and Reproductive Rights
As the Trump administration eyes a speedy replacement, the court will hear a case against the health care law a week after the election
