What We’re Reading: JN.1 Subvariant; US Health Care System Dissatisfaction; Medicaid Child Enrollment Decrease

Emergence of JN.1 Subvariant Raises Concerns as It Becomes Dominant Strain in the US

The CDC alerted the public to the swift ascent of the JN.1 subvariant, now responsible for 20% of new COVID-19 infections in the country, according to CNN. Descended from the previously noted BA.2.86 variant, JN.1 exhibits heightened transmissibility, with estimates indicating its potential to become the leading global variant. The CDC underscores the importance of vaccination, especially as waning immunity and holiday travel contribute to the subvariant's rapid growth.

Americans' Dissatisfaction with Health Care System Grows Since 2010, Analysis Reveals

According to a recent Gallup analysis, Americans' satisfaction with various components of the health care system has declined since 2010, with drugmakers experiencing the most substantial reputational decline, reports Axios. Factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating health care costs, and the opioid crisis are cited as potential contributors to the diminishing sentiment. The study also highlights a notable drop in satisfaction with physicians, indicating a shift from the goodwill initially felt towards health care professionals at the beginning of the pandemic.

Biden Administration Alerts Governors to Alarming Medicaid Losses Among Children

The Biden administration has issued warnings to governors in 9 states, including Florida, Texas, and Georgia, about significant Medicaid coverage losses among children, according to The New York Times. HHS secretary Xavier Becerra urged leaders to address the issue and expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The unwinding of a federal policy has resulted in technical glitches and bureaucratic hurdles, causing millions of children to lose health coverage, prompting the administration's more assertive stance.