Latest KFF Health News Stories
Covid US Death Count IS Likely Wrong. It’s Far Too Low, Study Finds.
Antibody research indicates that the total number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the U.S. so far have been vastly underreported. And the crisis deepens as the nation sets daily records for those who have died and who are hospitalized in overburdened facilities.
Worries Over Ultra-Low Temperature Requirement Of Vaccines Play Out
In California, a broken freezer left hospital officials scrambling to disperse over 800 thawed doses. Meanwhile, Florida’s vaccine rollout was also marred by website crashes.
Who’s Next In Line? Strategies Differ As Confusion Mounts
With so many vulnerable populations to protect, states struggle to decide whom to inoculate next while hurdles remain for vaccinating first-wave health care workers.
Straight From The Kindergarten Playbook: Hundreds Try To Jump Line
In Rhode Island, a special link given to health workers to register for vaccinations was shared with others. And a high-end nursing home in West Palm Beach, Fla., has offered vaccines to board members and those who made generous donations to the facility.
Distribution Failings Mean Help Won’t Arrive In Time For Many
Concerns are particularly high for long-term care facilities, NPR reports, but the delays will also likely prolong the pandemic nationwide.
To Speed Up Vaccines, Don’t Be Rigid On Priority Guidelines, Surgeon General Urges States
Surgeon General Jerome Adams provided the news media a cheat sheet: “Your headline today really should be, ‘Surgeon general tells states and governors to move quickly to other priority groups.’ If the demand isn’t there in 1a, go to 1b, and continue on down,” he told NBC.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
La pandemia de covid-19 está devastando a los profesionales de salud de color
Las personas de color representan aproximadamente el 65% de las muertes en los casos en los que hay datos registrados de raza y etnia.
Opinion writers express views about new strains of the virus that could upend previous efforts to halt the spread and other issues, as well.
Parsing Policies: Lessons On Doctor Shortages; Lockdown Losses; EPA’s Stand Against Science
Editorial pages express views about the policies impacting public health.
TSA’s Screenings Reach All-Time High Since Pandemic’s Beginning
Despite warnings from public health officials to stay home during the holidays, the number of people screened surpassed 1 million for 9 days. News is on airport cleanings, the NCAA hoop tourney, NBA mask mandates and more.
Temporary Abortion Ban In Texas Found To Delay Care, Create Risks
The number of women seeking care in other states increased from 157 in February 2020 to 947 in April 2020, and second-trimester abortions jumped 61% after the lifting of the ban. News reports look at spikes in overdose deaths in four Ohio counties, and pandemic news, as well.
Small Pacific Island Readies To Be First Country Vaccinated
Media outlets report on news from Palau, Mexico, China, Pakistan and Indonesia.
Medical Groups Petition CMS To Lift Infection Penalties
Many factors, including limited PPE and staff shortages, could be leading to increased drug-resistant infections during the pandemic, according to the three medical societies. News is on the outbreak in a Vancouver hospital and more.
HHS Says Drugmakers Should Not Shut Off 340B Discounts To Hospitals
The Department of Health and Human Services issued an advisory opinion stating that pharmaceutical companies are obliged to offer discounts to medical facilities providing care to low-income communities.
Researchers Slam New EPA Rule That Regulates Public-Health Studies
The Trump administration said the changes, which require the release of raw data, are aimed at increasing transparency. But the former director of the EPA’s Science Board criticized the move, saying, “It sounds good on the surface. But this is a bold attempt to get science out of the way so special interests can do what they want.”
Biden: A Democratic Win In Ga. Runoff Will Put $2K Stimulus In Your Pocket
President-elect Joe Biden didn’t mince words when stumping for Democrats Jon Ossoff and the Rev. Raphael Warnock : “If you send Jon and the Reverend to Washington, those $2,000 checks will go out the door.” The Georgia runoffs are today.
Just 3 Years After Making Huge Splash In Health Care, Haven Goes Kaput
The massive joint venture between Amazon, JPMorgan Chase and Berkshire Hathaway suffered from a poorly defined mission, strategic blunders and a failure to show measurable progress, Stat says.
New York Confirms Its First Case Of Virus Variant; UK Locks Down
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that his state is now the fourth in the U.S. to identify an infection by the more contagious coronavirus strain that is forcing the United Kingdom to shut down again.
‘Tough Decisions’: LA Ambulance Crews Told To Ration Oxygen
Emergency medics also being told to not transport patients who have little chance of surviving as some hospitals reach a point of crisis.