Latest KFF Health News Stories
Unlike in the past, researchers who become partners with patients aren’t usually the ones to break the news when a trial ends. Now, patients are more likely to see it on social media or in the 24-hour news cycle. Other public health news reports on a new CRISPR treatment for blindness, dementia, exercise’s impact on immunity, LBGTQ discrimination, diet soda, and Ebola.
Louisiana Anti-Abortion Case Goes Before More Conservative Supreme Court
The realigned Supreme Court could erode Roe v. Wade with a decision on a law requiring abortion providers to obtain admitting privileges to nearby hospitals. Opponents say complications are extremely rare. News on the health issue is from Mississippi and Ohio, as well.
It’s hard for WHO to get an official count on those infected–and thus the mortality rate associated with coronavirus–because the symptoms present as mild in so many patients. But experts are still working hard to figure out exactly how bad the outbreak will be in the end, with many guessing it will be less severe than the 1918 Spanish pandemic, but worse than the swine flu of recent years. Meanwhile, social media giants are attempting to wage a war against misinformation online and experts continue to warn against panic-buying medical supplies.
In response to rising criticism about testing access and delays, Vice President Mike Pence said that any American can get tested. But right now the United States doesn’t actually have the capacity to test millions–and the ability to do so could still be weeks away.
In a country with a health insurance system “designed to make you think twice to seek care every time you get a runny nose, fever and cough,” many are worried about the costs of getting tested, despite the fact that it’s crucial to containing the outbreak. The federal government and states are trying to figure out ways to ease that burden.
Opinion writers weigh in on issues surrounding coronavirus.
Top U.S. health officials say they want people to be prepared for more community spread as the number of coronavirus cases, but also to “to continue their daily lives.” There are now at least twelve states and 60 confirmed cases within the United States, and that number is expected to balloon in coming days.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: It’s Time For The Government To Get Into The Generics Drug Business
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Coronavirus Stress Test: Many 5-Star Nursing Homes Have Infection-Control Lapses
Since the beginning of 2017, inspectors have cited more nursing homes for failing to ensure that all workers follow federal prevention and control protocols than for any other type of violation, according to federal records.
Insurers Sank Connecticut’s ‘Public Option.’ Would A National Version Survive?
Even in a solidly blue state where voters were demanding relief from high health care costs, the idea of a government-run public option for health insurance faced a “steam train of opposition.”
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Media outlets report on news from Maine, California, Illinois, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Maryland and Missouri.
Editorial pages focus on the issues surrounding the coronavirus.
The payment has come in response to an investigation that has been exploring alleged schemes in which one generic company would decide to raise prices on a particular drug and others would follow suit.
Although China’s leader Xi Jinping is facing anger over the government’s initial coronavirus response, the recent introduction of outbreak-related surveillance measures, many of them unlikely to disappear when the epidemic is over, have given Xi an opening to assert even tighter control over society. Meanwhile, as cases balloon elsewhere, Chinese are striking a more optimistic tone as recovered patients start heading home from hospitals.
Scientists Meet In Havana To Discuss Mystery Illness Impacting Dozens Of U.S., Canadian Diplomats
While agreeing the health effects are genuine, researchers from the U.S., Canada, Scotland and Cuba said causes remain unclear. A Cuban official denied the diplomats were targeted in anyway. Public health news is on healthier lifestyles for restaurant workers, health care worries, e-scooter injuries, stressful commutes, benefits of spring cleaning, and dietary guidelines on dairy intake, as well.
With Fate Of Coronavirus Vaccine Hanging In Balance, Trump Adopts Friendly Tone Toward Pharma
President Donald Trump met with pharma executives in a meeting that had once been billed as a scolding over high prices. But now that the industry is needed to help develop a vaccine for the emerging pandemic, Trump has taken a more congenial tone with the executives. Meanwhile, Stat takes a closer look at where everyone stands on developing coronavirus-related drugs and vaccines.
Eight of Washington state’s 18 cases, as well as four of the deaths, are linked to the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, Wash. After declaring a state of emergency, King County officials announced highly unusual plans to purchase a motel that could be converted into an isolation center for people who get sick.