Latest KFF Health News Stories
Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams was the latest public health official to warn Americans not to buy masks to protect themselves against the coronavirus. But what should you be doing? Experts weigh in on that and other technical aspects of the virus–like how exactly it’s killing its victims.
Woman Who Traveled To Iran Becomes First Confirmed Case In New York
New York City’s Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot said the agency had already identified “close contacts of the patient” who may have been exposed to the virus.
Human Error Remains A Formidable Threat As Federal Government, States Brace For The Outbreak
Past epidemics show just how quickly human error can lead to disaster, yet it’s nearly impossible to prevent. Meanwhile, experts say the U.S. is better positioned than most to handle an epidemic, but it still could face critical shortages of respirators and masks. Meanwhile, states prepare for an influx of cases.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health issues and others.
Lawmakers are discussing emergency funding for the coronavirus, but there’s not even a draft of the legislation yet. Public health experts worry that the funding will get held up in the gridlock created by a hyper-partisan Congress, leaving cash-strapped state health departments underwater. Meanwhile, Democrats seize on the Trump administration’s response to the crisis as a talking point on the campaign trail.
Supreme Court To Hear Oral Arguments Wednesday In First Big Abortion Test In Front Of New Justices
The Louisiana admitting privileges law is similar to a Texas bill that was knocked down by the Supreme Court only a few years ago. But with the addition of conservative Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch, the outcome may be different. The case is being closely watched by both sides of the abortion debate.
Media outlets take a look at the global response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The FDA gives laboratories and hospitals across the country the go-ahead to conduct tests that were previously limited to those analyzed by the CDC. Early delays and restrictions on testing is the target of vocal criticism about the government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, HHS launches an investigation into flawed tests that derailed early detection.
President Donald Trump tried to soothe fears about the virus outbreak and said he would meet with pharmaceutical companies on Monday to discuss potential vaccines, which experts say wouldn’t be available anytime soon. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said the administration would invoke the War Powers Act “if we need to” but would prefer to work cooperatively with private vendors to produce needed medical supplies.
Authorities in the Seattle area reported four new cases Sunday night. Researchers say that it’s likely the virus has been spreading undetected in the area for weeks. Meanwhile, officials up and down the West Coast scramble to contain the outbreak as more cases are reported.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Corralling Hard-To-Reach Voters With Traveling Voting Machines
In advance of the Super Tuesday primary, California’s Los Angeles County is rotating new touch-screen voting machines among 41 locations, including adult day care centers and jails, to increase voting among populations with historically low turnout.
In An Exchange About Coronavirus, Homeland Security Chief Gets Flu Mortality Rate Wrong
The Homeland Security secretary missed the mark with his estimate of the flu’s annual U.S. mortality rate.
HHS Removed Images Of Condoms From HIV/AIDS Awareness Fliers
For those who are sexually active, condoms are widely recognized as the most effective method for preventing HIV and other diseases, if used correctly. But a fact sheet with “unapproved condom imagery” was taken down from a federal website, KHN has learned.
Failure To Communicate: The Debate On ACA Rages On 10 Years After Passage
Health policy is complicated. As a result, many journalists ― and sometimes policymakers ― have defaulted to talking about its politics. That means opponents often have shaped the debate about the federal health law’s implementation and effects to foment public fear or anger.
Nursing Home Outbreak Spotlights Coronavirus Risk In Elder Care Facilities
The spread of coronavirus disease to a skilled nursing facility in Washington state underscores the risk the deadly new virus poses in elder care facilities, where illnesses caused by more common pathogens, like seasonal influenza, often spread rapidly.
Brote de coronavirus en Washington revela riesgo en los centros de adultos mayores
En los Estados Unidos, 2.2 millones de personas viven en entornos de atención a largo plazo y pueden estar en mayor riesgo debido a la edad y a condiciones de salud subyacentes.
Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.
Watch: Reviewing Public Health Record Of New Coronavirus Commander Mike Pence
KHN Midwest editor and correspondent Laura Ungar shares her expertise on Vice President Mike Pence’s public health track record as he leads the nation’s novel coronavirus response. Ungar covered a 2015 Indiana HIV outbreak and its fallout amid Pence’s tenure as governor.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.