Latest KFF Health News Stories
U.S. Surpasses China In Number Of Coronavirus Cases To Become Epicenter Of Pandemic
Nearly 86,000 cases have been confirmed in the United States as of Friday morning, according to Johns Hopkins’ data tracker, including 1,300 deaths. China had previously been leading the world in number of cases, but the United States passed that total on Thursday.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Coronavirus Relief Bill, Hospitals Poised To Get Massive Infusion Of Cash
The legislation scheduled to go before the House for a vote Friday provides nearly $200 billion in aid for hospitals. That includes payments for expenses or lost revenues from the coronavirus pandemic, interest-free loans and changes in Medicare reimbursements.
Help Wanted: Retired Doctors And Nurses Don Scrubs Again In Coronavirus Fight
As they prepare for an onslaught of coronavirus patients, health officials in New York and other states urge retired medical professionals to rejoin the ranks.
Physicians Fear For Their Families As They Battle Coronavirus With Too Little Armor
Doctors sent an impassioned, desperate letter to Congress describing the lack of protective equipment across the country — from masks to respirators to gowns to goggles. They’re using equipment from construction sites and home-repair stores or wearing the same mask from patient to patient. And they worry about what exposure without sufficient protection means for them and their families.
Not So Fast Using CPAPs In Place Of Ventilators. They Could Spread The Coronavirus.
U.S. pandemic planning envisioned the possibility of using CPAP machines for milder cases of COVID-19 when ventilators are in short supply. But evidence suggests that the machines, commonly used by people with sleep apnea, can aerosolize and possibly spread the virus. That leaves hospitals with few good alternatives if the demand for ventilators exceeds the supply.
Telemedicine Surges, Fueled By Coronavirus Fears And Shift In Payment Rules
Millions of Americans are suddenly seeking care by connecting with a doctor electronically. Helping drive that trend, medical providers can now charge as much as they would for an office visit.
Under Financial Strain, Community Health Centers Ramp Up Coronavirus Response
Many of the nation’s safety-net clinics for low-income patients are having to turn their model of care upside down overnight to deal with the realities of the pandemic — a challenge both financially and logistically. Federal funding is on the way.
Editorial pages express focus on the president’s call to reopen the economy during the pandemic and other health issues.
Research Roundup: Medicaid Eligibility, ICU Infection Rates, Heartburn Drugs’ Side Effects, And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Advocates Irate Over Government’s Unwillingness To Name 140 Nursing Homes Hit By Pandemic
While the media and public health officials have reported outbreaks at dozens of facilities, other information vital to families’ and doctors’ decisions about how to deal with older patients is going unreported. “That’s just not right. It’s not ethical. It’s not humane,” said John BaRoss, who pulled his mother out of a long-term care facility in West Orange, N.J. Also: At a nursing home in Newark, N.J., all 94 residents are presumed to have the virus.
Total Hospital Charges From Coronavirus Treatments Projected To Soar Into The Hundreds Of Billions
Meanwhile, states and Congress are trying to make it easier for Americans who lose health coverage because their job has been affected by the outbreak to get insurance. And CMS withdrew its proposed rule to crackdown on state Medicaid eligibility.
Escasez de cuidados paliativos provoca dolor extra a pacientes con coronavirus
A algunos expertos les preocupa que la escasez de estos profesionales pueda dejar a muchos pacientes de COVID-19 en estado grave en una situación de angustia.
COVID-19: oficiales en California dicen que el confinamiento no funciona sin fuerza pública
El enfoque de no intervención de Newsom en la aplicación de la ley, que recurre a la presión social como principal herramienta para persuadir a las personas, amenaza con ralentizar el progreso de California.
Opioid Case Against Walmart Was Quashed By DOJ Officials Appointed By Trump: Report
During the height of the opioid epidemic, Walmart kept filling suspicious prescriptions despite protests from its own pharmacists. Justice Department prosecutors were prepared to file criminal indictments against the company, ProPublica found in its investigation. Walmart executives escalated concerns to political appointees at the agency though, who then ordered attorneys to stand down. In other news, PBS NewsHour reports on the difficulties of pain management in the coronavirus era.
Abortion Opponents Call On HHS Official To Cease All Operations Nationwide
The organizations argue eliminating the procedures will free up medical equipment and spaces and request emergency funds not be directed to providers. In Texas, abortion providers filed a lawsuit over a recently enacted ban on abortions.
Tragedy In Spain’s Nursing Homes Shocks Nation That Prides Itself On Taking Care Of Elderly
Spanish soldiers who were sent to disinfect nursing homes found people “completely abandoned, or even dead, in their beds.” The struggle to protect the elderly populations–which have the highest mortality rates from the virus–have been a common thread throughout all the countries hardest hit by the outbreak. In other global news: China’s propaganda machine, the economic freeze in Europe, military enforcement, and Vietnamese quarantine camps.
Nurseries are stocking up. Seeds are flying off shelves. YouTube is seeing an uptick in how to build raised beds. It’s reminiscent of gardens people started during World Wars I and II. Other shopping news is on worries about food restrictions, health risks for the Amazon delivery workers, big sales for packaged goods, threatening behaviors in stores, and soaring gun sales.
“I literally feel like a coward for running away from this,” said one health care worker who quit over lack of protective gear. “I either suck up that particular feeling and put it in my pocket or I put my family at risk.” Workers across the country, facing dire shortages of things like face masks, are turning to volunteers, social media and others to plead for resources. When that doesn’t work, some are putting their foot down about putting themselves and their families at risk.
It’s been about 3 months since the coronavirus came onto the scene. Stat looks at what scientists know about it and where there are still question marks. In other news: smoking found to increase risk, why the coronavirus is not like the flu, the life of a scientist during an epidemic, the threat to older Americans, and more.