Latest KFF Health News Stories
Special Committee To Oversee Stimulus Spending Will Be ‘Forward-Looking,’ Clyburn Says
While some Democrats want the special committee to investigate the Trump administration’s early missteps, top House leaders said it will be focused on “the here and now.” House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn will head the panel. Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans are already clashing over a potential fourth coronavirus package.
“Even though we’ll end up picking at most two of them, we’re going to fund factories for all seven, just so that we don’t waste time in serially saying which vaccine works and then building the factory,” Bill Gates said. The strategy means billions of dollars will be wasted, but Gates said the loss would be worth it in the long run.
Flouting Advice From Experts In His Own Administration, Trump Again Touts Malaria Drug’s Potential
Although the malaria drug has shown promising results, the studies so far have been far too small to offer a true look at the treatment’s potential. President Donald Trump, though, continues to push for its use, despite a shortage for patients who use the medication for other illnesses. Meanwhile, patients rush to get into clinical trials for experimental drugs.
“It’s ‘Lord of the Flies: PPE Edition’,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, a former U.S. official who specializes in disaster response. “We need some global solidarity, and instead we have global competition.” In other news on health care workers: staff shortages, tales from the front lines, rationing gear, and more.
When It Comes To Testing Shortages, Necessity Is Proving To Be The Mother Of Invention
As diagnostic testing continues to pick up speed, shortages of some supplies and a backlog of samples push hospitals, academic medical centers and labs to create their own patchwork solutions.
‘This Is Ludicrous’: Governors Frustrated With Lack Of National Ventilator Distribution Strategy
States have been forced to compete with each other to get ventilators and other medical supplies after the federal government put most of the onus on the governors to acquire equipment. While some governors try to avoid being too critical of the Trump administration, others expressed their frustration. “To say, ‘we’re a backup’ — I mean, the surgeon general alluded to Pearl Harbor,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. “Can you imagine if Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, ‘I’ll be right behind you, Connecticut. Good luck building those battleships’?”
Top Health Officials Say Americans Should Brace For Tragedy This Week On Par With Pearl Harbor, 9/11
Even as President Donald Trump offered a more optimistic stance, his officials warned that this week will be tough for Americans. “This is going to be the hardest and the saddest week of most Americans’ lives, quite frankly,” said Surgeon General Jerome Adams. Meanwhile, experts fear that the number of confirmed cases in the country–which has exceeded 330,000–is only a fraction of the cases out there.
The Washington Post investigates government and White House actions during the first two months of the year when top officials knew about the threat but the country failed to rise to meet it. And AP looks at how that critical time was squandered in terms of stocking up on equipment. Meanwhile, health care was already a losing issue for President Donald Trump and Republicans, and this pandemic highlights that vulnerability.
Viewpoints: FDA Needs To Step Up Pace For COVID-19 Treatments; Pros, Cons Of Wearing Masks
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care issues stemming from the pandemic and others.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘You Pray That You Got The Drug.’ Ailing Couple Gambles On Trial For COVID-19 Cure
Josie and George Taylor of Everett, Washington, are two of the first people in the U.S. to recover from novel coronavirus infections after joining a clinical trial for the antiviral drug remdesivir.
‘Staying Away From Grandma’ Isn’t An Option In Multigenerational Homes
About 1 in 5 U.S. residents live in multigenerational households. Many of those have three or more generations all under one roof. While the living arrangement has financial and emotional benefits, those families face a unique set of challenges as COVID-19 continues to spread.
Long-Standing Racial And Income Disparities Seen Creeping Into COVID-19 Care
Many health officials around the nation have not released data on the ethnic and racial demographics of people tested for the new coronavirus. But public health experts said the anecdotes are adding up, and they fear the response to the pandemic will result in predictable health care disparities.
Mysterious Heart Damage, Not Just Lung Troubles, Befalling COVID-19 Patients
Most of the attention in the COVID-19 pandemic has been on how the virus affects the lungs. But evidence shows that up to 1 in 5 hospitalized patients have signs of heart damage and many are dying due to heart problems.
‘You’ve Been Served’: Wisconsin Hospitals Sued Patients Even During Pandemic
Wisconsin hospitals had filed at least 104 lawsuits in small claims court since the state declared a public health emergency March 12. Most now say they are suspending the cases; one hospital has dismissed them after a reporter’s calls.
As Coronavirus Spreads, Workers Could Lean On ACA Coverage Protection
KHN’s Julie Rovner discusses the role of the Affordable Care Act in helping to provide coverage to people affected by the virus’ economic repercussions.
Trump Administration Uses Wartime Powers To Be First In Line On Medical Supplies
As states scour the world for masks and other protective medical equipment, the federal government has repeatedly invoked a little-known clause in the Defense Production Act to step to the front of the line for sought-after health supplies.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.
Medicaid en el “ojo de la tormenta” por nuevos desempleados que buscan cobertura
Hay más de 6.6 millones que han perdido sus empleos a causa de la crisis económica que ha generado la pandemia. Muchos de estos nuevos desempleados pueden recurrir a Medicaid para sus familias.
Each week, KHN finds interesting reads from around the Web.