Latest KFF Health News Stories
United States Death Toll Climbs Past 1,000
There have been more than 68,000 reported cases, with New York as the epicenter of the outbreak. Meanwhile, a leading expert projects that the peak of the outbreak in the U.S. will hit three weeks from now.
Senate Approves $2T Stimulus Package With Checks To Some Americans, $100B In Grants For Hospitals
The deal is the product of a marathon of negotiations among Senate Republicans, Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team that nearly fell apart as Democrats insisted on stronger worker protections, more funds for hospitals and state governments, and tougher oversight over new loan programs intended to bail out distressed businesses. “A fight has arrived on our shores,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said. “We did not seek it. We did not want it. But now, we are going to win it.” The House is set to vote on Friday.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care issues and others involving treatments for COVID-19.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Shortfall Of Comfort Care Signals Undue Suffering For Coronavirus Patients
Families worry that overwhelmed hospitals won’t be able to provide palliative care for loved ones stricken with COVID-19.
California Isn’t Testing Enough Children For Lead, Prompting Legislation
A recent report by the California state auditor faults two state health departments for failing to ensure that children receive required blood lead tests and for not doing enough to reduce childhood lead exposure in high-risk areas. Lawmakers are proposing several measures to increase testing.
Public Health Officials To Newsom: Lockdown Won’t Work Without Enforcement
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was out front nationally when he ordered nearly all Californians to stay at home to stem the spread of COVID-19. But local officials warn it won’t work without tougher enforcement.
Los suministros para combatir a COVID-19 en hospitales están llegando desde el cielo
Hospitales están recurriendo a distribuidores privados y al Ejército de los Estados Unidos para transportar por vía aérea millones de máscaras protectoras y otros suministros hospitalarios desde China.
Trump’s Boast About U.S., South Korea Coronavirus Testing Misses The Mark
The president’s statement frames the data in a way that doesn’t accurately represent the status of the American response to COVID-19.
California Lawmakers Struggle To Conduct Business Amid COVID-19 Lockdown
In an interview with California Healthline, the state’s Senate leader, Toni Atkins, makes clear that with social-distancing measures in force it will be difficult to debate and pass complicated budget measures ― but public health, education and public safety will be priorities.
Hospital Suppliers Take To The Skies To Combat Dire Shortages Of COVID-19 Gear
As the coronavirus sweeps the nation, a new survey reveals widespread medical gear shortages while hospitals give up on a fractured supply chain and take matters into their own hands with planes sprinting past cargo ships.
Los vitales cuidadores de pacientes en el hogar, ¿ahora son una amenaza?
Cientos de miles de trabajadores de salud van a los hogares de todo el país para prestar servicios vitales a las personas mayores y a los discapacitados.
Con reportes parciales de los estados, el panorama de COVID-19 en el país es borroso
Varios estados informan solo resultados positivos de la prueba para COVID-19 de laboratorios privados, una práctica que pinta una imagen engañosa del ritmo de propagación de la enfermedad.
While China is its loosening two-month long restrictions in Hubei, other countries begin to impose more restrictions for ”long haul” battle.
A Look At What Medicare Covers In Terms Of Coronavirus Treatment
Medicare beneficiaries are some of the Americans with the highest-risk of needing coronavirus treatment.
Media outlets look at how the outbreak is affecting Americans on a personal level.
Yes, the Trump administration has turned to Silicon Valley’s giants for various reasons including best practices guidelines during the pandemic, but issues surrounding antitrust laws won’t remain dormant for long, say Justice Department attorneys. Other news on technology reports on suspicious websites offering false promises, privacy issues with tracking people’s movement through smartphones, and higher than normal use of screen time for teens.
A Politico map shows wide-ranging efforts being taken in dozens of states to ”flatten the curve.” Mississippi and Oklahoma have only closed schools. New outlets also report on GOP strongholds in Florida and Texas where there’s pushback against damaging the economy; in Montana, Wyoming, North Carolina and Tennessee where National Parks have been closed; in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, which ordered closure of non-essential businesses; in Massachusetts and New Jersey, where governors have asked people with vacation homes to stay away; and more.
Trying To Slow Spread In Crowded Prisons: Federal Bureau Imposes 14-Day Quarantine On New Inmates
Social distancing is difficult for the federal system’s 175,000 inmates who share tight quarters, spend much of their time together and often lack access to good health care. Also, advocates in New York, California and several other states push for the release of older and at-risk inmates from state prisons, which they describe as breeding grounds for the virus.
Purposefully Exposing Someone To Coronavirus Could Bring Criminal Charges, Justice Department Warns
“Because Coronavirus appears to meet the statutory definition of a ‘biological agent’… such acts potentially could implicate the Nation’s terrorism-related statutes,” said Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen.