Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Trump Swiftly Signs Historic $2.2T Stimulus Legislation After House Passage

Morning Briefing

The U.S. House passed the unprecedented financial rescue measure by voice vote to accommodate those lawmakers who couldn’t make it back to Washington. The bill represents the largest stimulus package in modern American history.

Médicos temen por sus familias, mientras luchan contra COVID-19 con poca armadura

KFF Health News Original

Miles de médicos de todo el país escribieron una apasionada carta al Congreso pidiendo que se libere el equipo de protección personal de la Reserva Nacional Estratégica, para aquellos en la primera línea de batalla.

Lessons From A Pandemic That Never Materialized: Tests, Protective Gear For Health Workers And Social Distancing Crucial

Morning Briefing

Joseph Califano was the new secretary of health, education and welfare in President Jimmy Carter’s administration following a swine flu scare in the 1970s. He offers tips about what America needs to do to “crush the curve.” In other public health news: vulnerable populations may fall through cracks, experts debunk any conspiracy theories about virus’ origin, lawmakers call on FDA to loosen blood donor restrictions, and more.

‘MacGyver It’: Nursing Home Directors Get Creative To Protect Vulnerable Residents

Morning Briefing

Dr. Mark Gloth, chief medical officer for one of the industry’s largest nursing home chains asked himself: “‘Why can’t we MacGyver it and put something together that will actually provide an additional level of support for our patients and employees?'” One such plan includes walling off part of a facility with heavy duty plastic to create an isolation area for those who get COVID-19. Other industry news comes from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas and Ohio.

Retirees, Med Students Called To Help On Front Lines, But Inexperienced Workers Might Just Add Stress

Morning Briefing

Hospitals and states are scrambling for ways to help their overworked staff deal with an onslaught of patients. But having an influx of providers who don’t have as much experience might cause stress for workers. Meanwhile, the threat of contracting the virus looms large for many health care providers.

Georgia Governor’s Fear Of Overreach Sparks Criticism From Public Health Officials Asking For Statewide Stay-At-Home Order

Morning Briefing

As Georgia struggles with one of the highest COVID-19 death rates among the states, public health officials and the state’s largest daily newspaper, have pleaded for Gov. Brian Kemp to take stronger action. Governors in at least 20 states — both Democrats and Republicans — have ordered residents statewide to stay at home. State, U.S territory and tribal news is also from the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Louisiana, Navajo Nation, Texas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, as well.

Unrest Boils Up At Immigration Detention Centers Over Dirty Conditions And A Disturbing Lack Of Hygienic Supplies

Morning Briefing

Many advocates worry that COVID-19 could run rampant through the immigration detention facilities throughout the country, which had been facing criticism even before the outbreak about about detainees’ safety. Meanwhile, a federal judge orders the immediate release of 10 detainees from a New Jersey facility.

Grocery Stores Install Plastic Shields In Checkout Lines To Protect Cashiers, Customers

Morning Briefing

A shopper at a Stop & Shop in Quincy, Massachusetts hailed the idea that’s been cropping up across the country: “We’re supposed to be 6 feet away, but we’re closer to them. So that protection helps, and I feel safer.” News on the food supply also looks at how stressful grocery shopping has become, the high cost of allegedly intentionally coughing on groceries and infection at Amazon’s largest warehouse.