Latest KFF Health News Stories
Media outlets report on news in Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey, District of Columbia, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Louisiana.
Limited funding forced emergency preparedness officials to focus on other supplies needed for the Strategic National Stockpile. In response, the CDC loosens its recommendations on masks. Also, a union representing airport workers is requesting better masks and Amazon tries to battle counterfeit coronavirus products.
A test of CMS’s email crashed the system on Feb. 23, frustrating health officials just as they were trying to negotiate the first bloom of the coronavirus in the United States. Meanwhile, CDC Director Robert Redfield counters claims that closing the borders would help prevent the spread of the virus.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these topics surrounding the coronavirus.
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement that the decision was based on State Department travel advisories and other restrictions that have been enforced during the outbreak.
Health experts have been vocal about how it is a make-it or break-it moment for America and that the outcome will rest on the country’s ability to “flatten the curve” of the spread of the disease by “social distancing.” What do those terms mean and what do they entail? Meanwhile, there’s a lot of comparison between the flu and the coronavirus, but they’re quite different illnesses. Scientists also take a look at the hardest-hit populations and how the fact that kids aren’t getting critically sick can help them better understand the virus.
Out of the more than 1,000 cases in the country at least 28 people have died from the disease. Many experts predict those numbers will get exponentially worse once testing ramps up. Meanwhile, governors are scrambling to slow its inevitable spread and are having to reach out to a federal administration with whom they’ve been at odds.
‘I’m Not Concerned At All’: Trump Does Little To Change His Routine Amid Coronavirus Exposure Fears
Despite the fact that there is a chance President Donald Trump was exposed second-hand to a patient with coronavirus at CPAC, Trump seems to want to send a message to Americans that he’s not worried. Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) remained adamant that she won’t close the Capitol, despite the higher risk lawmakers are facing because they travel so much. “We are the captains of the ship. We are the last to leave,” she said.
Campaigns Taking Large-Scale Measures To Curb Exposure, But Candidates Are Still Shaking Hands
Both Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Vice President Joe Biden canceled events as fears over an ever-spreading U.S. outbreak grow. Both candidates are in their 70s, a particularly hard-hit population with this particular virus, yet they are still interacting freely with the public.
“We had a good reception on Capitol Hill. We’re going to be working with Republican and Democratic leadership to move a legislative package,” Vice President Mike Pence said. What an economic package will look like, though, is unclear as of yet.
How To Avoid Coronavirus? Lessons From People Whose Lives Depend On It
As the new coronavirus continues its spread through the U.S., the general public can look for guidance from millions of Americans with weakened immune systems who long ago adopted the rules of infection control that officials tout to avoid contagion.
Crushed By A Hospital Bill? Stand Up For Yourself
Most hospitals must offer free or reduced-cost care to certain patients, based on income, even if they have insurance. But some hospitals erect barriers to charity care, so it’s up to patients to advocate for themselves.
VCU Health Halts 30-Year Campaign That Seized Patients’ Wages, Put Liens On Homes
The bold move by the giant hospital system will help thousands of patients in the wake of a Kaiser Health News investigation last year.
Perspectives: Drug Prices Give Lawmakers An Opportunity To Show They Can Reach Across The Aisle
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Trump Sends Congress List Of Drug Pricing ‘Principles’
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Opinion writers weigh in on issues surrounding the coronavirus.
Editorial pages focus on the pros and cons of the administration during the outbreak of coronavirus.
Media outlets report on news from New York, North Carolina, Michigan, Alabama, Georgia and Ohio.
‘We’re Very Close’: WHO Teeters On Brink Of Deeming Outbreak A Pandemic, But Still Holds Back
For months, countries have been waiting for WHO to declare the coronavirus an outbreak, but the organization has refrained. “Unless we’re convinced it’s uncontrollable, why [would] we call it a pandemic?” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last week. Many experts say that threshold has long been met. Meanwhile, Italy takes ever-more drastic steps to try to quell its outbreak.