Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘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.
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.