Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
Remueven imágenes de condones de folletos informativos del gobierno sobre el VIH/sida
Las imágenes estaban en el sitio web de la Oficina de Salud de la Mujer y en campañas para promover la concientización sobre cómo prevenir el VIH.
En el condado de Los Angeles, latinos mayores pueden votar gracias a máquinas móviles
Las pantallas táctiles permiten a los votantes leer una boleta en 13 idiomas, ajustar el contraste de la pantalla y el tamaño del texto, y más.
Editorial pages focus on issues surrounding the coronavirus.
When a doctor’s baby tests for a rare disease, she finds support and answers on Facebook after scientific databases left her with unanswered questions. Public health news is on prostate cancer, the dangers of changing clocks, rat controls, this year’s flu vaccine, inadequate disability laws, teen obesity, cancer and exercise, censoring, and tremor therapy, as well.
Media outlets report on news from Maine, Connecticut, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Georgia, and California.
Other big name pharmaceutical companies have also been subject to fines for using a charity to help Medicare patients pay for out-of-pocket drug costs. News on the industry is on an $8M penalty against Cardinal Health, the high cost of extended release drugs, and claims made by a fired Novartis worker over her allegations about a new eye treatment.
The federal government has the authority to quarantine and isolate patients if officials believe them to be a public health threat–but the government doesn’t have to pay for it. “We didn’t have a choice. When the bills showed up, it was just a pit in my stomach, like, ‘How do I pay for this?’” says Frank Wucinski, who was quarantined along with his daughter. In other economical news about the coronavirus: sick days, gig workers, stocks, and more.
Smartphones Could Become Savior In War Against Coronavirus, But Some Obstacles Stand In The Way
“Telehealth can be a force multiplier that helps protect health workers and extends their reach, and should absolutely be seized upon,” said Eric Perakslis, of Duke University. But there are obstacles to telehealth in the U.S., since its health care system is not well-suited to widely adopt digital health tools.