Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
The Trump administration and the CDC face criticism that its testing strategy and other decisions in the early days of the outbreak exacerbated the spread of the virus within the states. Now, the government is calling on private companies and academic labs to develop their own tests.
West Virginia Reaches Opioid Settlement Deal With Most Drug Companies For $1.25B
This would be the first deal among about 3,000 lawsuits that exist nationwide. Details must still be resolved on payments to local, state groups as well as hospitals and others. The plan also does not apply to two key drugmakers, Purdue Pharma and Mallinckrodt. News on the national drug epidemic is from California, as well.
New Guidelines Call For Hepatitis C Screening In U.S. Adults Ages 18-79 As Deadly Infections Rise
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, announcing Monday that infections are rising because of the opioid epidemic, said many people who have contracted the virus have no symptoms. Treatments are highly effective and left untreated the virus can lead to liver cancer.
Lawmakers Barrel Toward $7.5B Emergency Funding Plan With Unusual Speed For Divided Congress
Negotiators worked through the weekend to try to finalize the spending bill, which is looking like it will far exceed the amount President Donald Trump requested. But disagreement over provisions intended to ensure affordability of vaccines and other medications may hold up agreement. Meanwhile, local and state health departments, already stretched to their limits, are eager to get the aid.
Scientists aren’t sure what the endgame is for the coronavirus, but looking at previous outbreaks can offer hints. Many think that, like the swine flu, it will end up in the seasonal circulation of flus that come back every year. Meanwhile, though most cases are mild, there are common themes for those patients who are becoming critically ill. Experts also explain how the virus is transferring, what you should do if you have symptoms, and more.
Media outlets cover the gradual spread of the coronavirus through the United States.
‘You Can’t Afford To Make Mistakes’: Will Pence Emerge From Coronavirus A Hero Or A Scapegoat?
No one is denying the pressure that Vice President Mike Pence faces after President Donald Trump put him in charge of the country’s coronavirus response. So far, Pence has borrowed a page from his gubernatorial playbook by attempting to control government messaging as it relates to coronavirus, and that lack of transparency is drawing criticism. But the vice president is expected to ramp up communications staffing in the coming days. Meanwhile, top health officials in the Trump administration are all adjusting to living under the microscope.
The case is being closely watched as the first major abortion arguments to take place in front of a Supreme Court since conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh were added to the bench.
The Trump administration said it was premature for the Supreme Court to get involved in the case, but the justices agreed to add it to their docket. While the decision itself isn’t likely to come before the November elections, Democrats are excited that the issue — something these see as a winning topic for themselves — will be kept front of mind voters.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Analysis: One Sure Thing About COVID-19: No Telling How Many People Have It
In an era when we get flash-flood warnings on our phones and weekly influenza statistics from every state, vital knowledge about the coronavirus outbreak is being kept under wraps.
Maine Voters Consider U-Turn On Vaccine Exemptions
States tried to tighten vaccine requirements last year in the midst of measles outbreaks, but a backlash against a tougher law in Maine put a referendum on the ballot there. Voters weigh in on Super Tuesday.