Latest KFF Health News Stories
Vaccine Distribution Hurdles And Successes Will Define 2021
While production and distribution poses a unique set of logistical challenges, the hardest part may prove to be decisions around who gets the shot when.
Biden Says He Will Push For Another Round Of Relief Checks
In a holiday address, President-elect Joe Biden also voiced empathy for families who lost loved ones to COVID and confidence in the vaccine he recently received.
Demanding Bigger Stimulus Checks, Trump Stops Short Of Veto Pledge
“I am asking Congress to amend this bill and increase the ridiculously low $600 to $2,000,” President Donald Trump said during a four-minute speech posted on Twitter. While the move threatens to derail relief negotiations that are tied to critical spending legislation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats also support an increase.
New COVID Strain Thought To Be In US
Though it hasn’t been identified in the United States, researchers say the mutated virus found in Britain is likely to have infected hundreds of people here already. It has been detected in Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Gibraltar.
Hospitals Across The Country Packed
In California, Texas, Tennessee and elsewhere, hospitals are at full capacity because of the COVID surge that followed Thanksgiving.
2020: Deadliest Year Ever in US
Deaths in the United States from all causes, but mainly because of COVID, will hit a record level: 3.2 million.
Warning: Don’t Travel For Christmas
Although the warning is certain to be ignored by many people, as it was at Thanksgiving, officials beg Americans to curtail travel plans to avoid yet another post-holiday surge.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition is taking a holiday break. Look for it again in your inbox on Jan. 4. Happy holidays!
At Risk of Extinction, Black-Footed Ferrets Get Experimental COVID Vaccine
Months before federal officials authorized experimental vaccines to ward off the coronavirus in humans, scientists tried a veterinary vaccine in endangered ferrets. Drugmakers are researching similar efforts for other animals proving vulnerable to the virus, such as farmed minks, in part to guard against virus mutations that could pose new risks to people.
Las vacunas de COVID parecen ser seguras y efectivas, pero todavía hay preguntas
Una encuesta publicada en diciembre mostró que el 45% de los encuestados están adoptando un enfoque de “esperar y ver qué pasa” con la vacunación.
Viewpoints: Pros, Cons Of COVID Relief Compromise; More Lessons On Unjust Mask Mandates
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Opinion writers express views about funding and receiving the vaccine and how to spend the holidays.
Widespread Impacts Of The Pandemic Felt
Fewer people are moving to nursing homes, public school enrollment is down and interest in medical school is up.
Maryland Infections Much Higher Than Reported, Autopsies Show
Media outlets report on news from Maryland, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Arkansas, Ohio, Michigan, New Mexico and California.
Brazil Completes China’s Vaccine Trial; Russia Plans To Test Drug Combination
News is also from Italy, Japan, Mexico, Canada and South Africa.
US Life Expectancy Improved In 2019 — But That Was Before COVID Hit
The average person lived to be 78.8 years old, data released Tuesday show. But the coronavirus is expected to erase last year’s slim gain when the government releases 2020 figures next year. One early estimation predicts that the life expectancy for 2020 could decline by two to three years.
Starting Next Year, Joint Commission Will ID Hospitals With High C-Section Rates
“We want to encourage organizations to reduce their C-sections and encourage leaders to do that in a safe way,” said Dr. David Baker, executive vice president for Healthcare Quality Evaluation at The Joint Commission.
The Future of Molecular Testing Assessed
Other developments in gene therapy, the return of Vioxx and the most impressive biotech startups are in the news.
HHS, CDC Chiefs Subpoenaed In House Probe Of White House Interference Charges
Citing evidence of “extensive and dangerous” political meddling into the CDC’s coronavirus policies by the Trump administration, House Democrats demand more documents from HHS Secretary Alex Azar and CDC Direct Robert Redfield.
Monoclonal Antibodies For Trump Friends
Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani and Chris Christie got the new treatments. Only a fraction of doses have reached other people who could benefit from them. The reason is a mix of science and politics. Also: More reports on the Trump administration.