Latest KFF Health News Stories
Coronavirus Puts Prisons In Tight Spot Amid Staff Shortages, Threats Of Lockdown
As the coronavirus threat rises, prisons are grappling with the possibility of nationwide lockdowns and calls for prisoner releases.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Coronavirus Goes Viral
The rapidly spreading coronavirus has led to the cancellation of sporting events, conferences and travel, with Congress and President Donald Trump scrambling to catch up to the spiraling public health crisis. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has issued long-awaited rules aimed at making it easier for patients to carry copies of their medical records. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Donald Trump’s Wrong Claim That ‘Anybody’ Can Get Tested For Coronavirus
The process is not as simple as calling your doctor or pharmacy, saying you want to be tested for COVID-19 and getting it done. Clinicians decide whether patients meet the criteria to warrant it. Circumstances are further complicated because tests are in short supply.
Congress Approves Boost In Food Aid For Seniors But Funding Falls Short Of Growing Need
Congress passed legislation Wednesday reauthorizing the Older Americans Act, which provides for home-delivered and group meals. Although proposed funding increases are substantial, they still don’t keep up with the nation’s growing senior population.
Editorial pages focus on issues surrounding the pandemic.
A number of states have also taken steps to help unburden patients and the government with high costs that have nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013.
Opinion writers express views on how leadership and policy issues can impact recovery from the coronavirus.
Media outlets report on news from Utah, District of Columbia, Ohio, and Colorado.
The NBA has indefinitely suspended its season, the NCAA basketball tournament will be played without fans, and actor Tom Hanks announced that he and his wife Rita Wilson have been infected. The events helped crystallize just how serious the outbreak is and how much it will likely disrupt Americans’ daily lives in the months to come.
Many lawmakers said they felt uneasy about throngs of tour groups and lobbyists continuing to shuffle between offices on a daily basis, defying guidance from U.S. public health agencies. The news came as a staffer in Sen. Maria Cantwell’s (D-Wash.) office tested positive for the virus.
Judging by how the virus may have responded to temperatures so far, the study suggests areas just north of its current zone may be most vulnerable through April. But much like with everything on the virus at the moment, it’s hard to predict and take all influences into account. Meanwhile, a study finds that the virus can live on surfaces for up to three days. In other news: calming your anxiety over the outbreak; a look at what coronavirus does to the body; why closing schools matters; and more.
Scientists aren’t testing in animals first in a highly unusual step that some consider justified and others irresponsible.
U.S. Hospitals Don’t Have Enough Ventilators, ICU Beds To Care For Surge Of Coronavirus Cases
Even if most cases of the coronavirus are mild, the health system can’t handle the uptick in critical patients that the outbreak is likely to bring, especially coming off the back of a difficult flu season. But over-stretched hospitals are doing their best to prepare for the crisis. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to increase the availability of respirators in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defense, Intelligence Officials Struggle To Respond To A Virus That Respects No Borders
The coronavirus adds a dangerous layer for national security officials who still have to assess threat levels from things beyond the pandemic. Meanwhile, the Defense Department has implemented a 60-day travel ban for service members and their families to and from countries whose populations have been the most stricken by coronavirus.
Azar’s Waning Role In Crisis Gives Hints Into Politics Of Administration’s Response
While in the early days of the crisis, HHS Secretary Alex Azar took the lead, he has since been noticeably absent from a number of relevant briefings. In other news from the Trump administration, CMS is working with Medicare and Medicaid officials to craft responses to the outbreak.
Beware Of Fake Emails From Cybercriminals Trying To Piggyback On Virus Fears
In a growing number of phishing scams, fraudsters are using emails disguised as information regarding the COVID-19 outbreak to get people to click on malicious links. Meanwhile, the hand sanitizer shortage is leading to counterfeit products and people looking for alternate solutions.
Global Leaders Speak Out But Coordinated Messaging And Action Plan Is Missing
News outlets look at how world leaders, diplomats, cruise and airline executives as well as civil protesters are all shifting their messages and policies to adapt to global pandemic.
Candidates, President Put Public Campaign Events On Hold
“If coronavirus has the lasting impact that we all fear it will, it will also dramatically reshape the way a presidential campaign unfolds,” said Jesse Ferguson, a veteran Democratic strategist and former spokesman for Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
Coronavirus infections climbed by more than 2,000 on Wednesday to surpass the 10,000 mark, with an additional 170 deaths in one day. Italy has been particularly hard hit by the virus, with the outbreak overwhelming its hospital system to the point that doctors are having to decide who to treat and who to let die. Experts have predicted that currently the United States is on the same trajectory as the country in terms of number of expected cases.
States Declare Emergencies, Ban Large Gatherings As Coronavirus Sweeps The Nation
States from California to Georgia to Michigan to New York cope with more cases while state leaders take containment precautions like canceling events or banning gatherings over 250 people.