Latest KFF Health News Stories
45-Minute Test Is Here But Will Only Be Used In Urgent Scenarios; FDA Warns About At-Home Kits
“This is not a test for the worried well,” said David Persing, the chief medical officer of Cepheid, the company that developed the test. Meanwhile, desperate Americans want a way to access tests, but the FDA is warning against fraudulent testing kits. Meanwhile, many are wondering why celebrities and officials can easily get tested while most Americans can not.
Trump’s Past Crisis Experiences Unlikely To Help Him Against A Pandemic
The issues that President Donald Trump has dealt with before tended to involve human adversaries on who he could deploy his trademark bluster-based crisis management style. But that won’t work as well against a virus. Meanwhile, governors grow alarmed with Trump’s insistence that the federal government take a back seat to states’ response.
Trump Resists Calls To Use War Powers, Says Private Companies Are Rising To Occasion
President Donald Trump faces criticism over not using the Defense Production Act to force private companies to make protective gear and other medical equipment during the crisis. Trump says that companies are doing so themselves without “putting the heavy hand of government down.” Administration officials point to the fact that 3M, a large manufacturer of protective N95 masks for medical workers, said it is shipping half a million masks to New York and Seattle. Meanwhile, automakers Ford, GM and Tesla have been given the green light to produce ventilators.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh on these health care issues and others during the pandemic.
Handful Of Senators Self-Isolate After Rand Paul Tests Positive For COVID-19
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is the first senator to test positive for the coronavirus, though he was showing no symptoms. Some colleagues, following medical advice, also removed themselves from the Capitol, which means, as of now, they can’t vote on the stimulus legislation. On the House side, Rep. Ben McAdams (D-Utah) was hospitalized with the disease.
Both sides pointed fingers at the other following the vote, but Senate leaders say they are hopeful they’ll reach an agreement over the crucial legislation.
CDC Coronavirus Testing Decision Likely To Haunt Nation For Months To Come
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave huge cities roughly the same number of test kits as some rural spots, which crippled efforts by health officials to contain the virus.
Seattle Nurses Scrounge For Masks To Stay Safe On Pandemic’s Front Lines
As illness from the new coronavirus stresses the health care system, nurses said they are being forced to make do with less and learning to be good stewards of available equipment and protective gear.
Coronavirus Threatens The Lives Of Rural Hospitals Already Stretched To Breaking Point
Almost half of the nation’s rural hospitals operate in the red on a good day. But amid the coronavirus pandemic, rural hospital CEOs warn that soon some may be unable to pay their workers. And their doors may close when the community most needs them.
Some Hospitals Continue With Elective Surgeries Despite COVID-19 Crisis
Even as many states put a moratorium on elective surgeries in a desperate effort to preserve dwindling stocks of protective gear, hospitals in other pockets of the country continue to perform a range of elective procedures. Some staff members and ethicists are voicing concerns.
Listen: Front-Line Health Care Workers Face Shortage Of Protective Gear
As California ramps up capacity at hospitals in response to the coronavirus pandemic, health care workers face an inadequate supply of masks.
Hoping That Insurance Expansion Will Help Tamp Outbreak, 9 States Reopen Marketplaces
The states are allowing new enrollments this month to help ease consumers’ concerns about the cost of health care so that the sick will not be deterred from seeking medical attention and inadvertently spread the virus.
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.
Now On The Menu At Closed Schools: Drive-Thru Lunches
As schools shutter to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, many districts are still offering free meals to their most vulnerable students. In two Southern California districts, families roll through school lunch drive-thrus to grab hot meals.
Nueve estados reabren mercados de seguros de salud, para ayudar a frenar a COVID-19
Buscan calmar las preocupaciones y para que las personas que se sienten enfermas no dejen de ir al médico por los costos, y terminen propagando el virus sin darse cuenta.
Editorial pages focus on these policy issues and others during the pandemic.
Experts say the risk of the virus lingering on the mailings is highly unlikely and dangers of loneliness are severe. Other news on seniors in care facilities is on reductions in care and a shortage of intensive care beds, as well.
Governor Newsom Orders 40 Million Californians To Stay At Home As State’s Outbreak Escalates
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday night, “We will look back at these decisions as pivotal” as models predict that more than half of the state could become infected. Other news from California reports on rising unemployment, the death of a young man, and more.
New York Governor Cuomo’s Informed Daily Briefings Are Attracting Hordes Of Followers
In contrast to President Donald Trump’s style at briefings, the governor is getting praise for his sense of urgency, tactics and ability to handle a crisis. News is from Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, as well.