Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Congress Needs To Advocate For ER Docs; Did U.S. Move Fast Enough On Vaccines?
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
For Now, Chicago Hospital Can’t Close
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted to reject a plan to close Chicago’s Mercy Hospital on the city’s Southside. Trinity Health, the hospital’s owner, said it will return to the board in 2021. Other industry news is on insurance, discrimination and more.
Study: Black Suicides Spiked In Early Days Of Pandemic
The Hopkins study found that while suicide deaths among Blacks doubled during the shutdown, deaths among whites appeared to drop by half. In other public health news, Tom Cruise yells at film crew about respecting COVID protocols.
Younger People Get Vaccine In Indonesia Ahead Of Older Ones
News reports also look at the inability of many poorer countries to obtain the vaccines.
Trump Has No Role In Vaccine Rollout
President Donald Trump isn’t playing much of a role in the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, either because he doesn’t want to or because the new team coming into the White House doesn’t want him to. Plus, a look at the “deep state” scientists who helped develop a vaccine.
Confidence Grows For A Stimulus Bill
It now looks like Congress might pass a bill with some financial relief. In other news, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says lawmakers who refuse to wear a mask won’t be allowed to speak in Congress.
In The Vaccine They Trust: Biden, Pence To Be Inoculated Soon
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Mike Pence are both planning to get a shot to show the public their support for the vaccine and for security reasons. President Donald Trump has not revealed his vaccination plans.
Trump’s Drug Discount Cards Might Soon Be In The Mail
The cards could be mailed as early as Jan. 1, Bloomberg reports. News is on plans to speed up prior authorization for Medicaid and more.
Courts Rule On Religion And Health
The Supreme Court and various other courts have ruled on religion and COVID restrictions, as well as abortion.
White House Offers Supplies In Pfizer Vaccine Negotiations
In deal discussions for more doses, the Trump administration has proposed ways it could help provide more of the raw materials Pfizer needs to produce greater quantities of vaccine.
Bell’s Palsy, Chills, Joint Pain Among Side Effects Reported In Vaccine Trials
The experience of clinical trial volunteers may inform people about what to expect when vaccinated.
Calls Grow To Vaccinate Prison Populations, Teachers Next
States grapple with difficult decisions over which vulnerable residents and essential workers to prioritize for a limited number of early-round shots.
Health Care Workers Across The Nation Make History On Day 2 Of Rollout
“A light at the end of the tunnel”: From Maine to Alaska, many frontline workers who’ve seen the tragic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic up close received their first doses of the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday.
Body Bags, Herd Immunity And Still More Cases
Various reports on where the United States is in the pandemic–signs of hope and signs that it is going to get worse. And Dr. Tony Fauci is still saying end of 2021 for a return to normal.
‘Big Deal’: FDA OKs First At-Home, No-Prescription Test For COVID
In a potential game-changer, Americans will soon be able to buy Ellume’s over-the-counter COVID-19 test for $30 or less, that they can take at home and get results in under 20 minutes.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
How to Pull Off a COVID-Era Music Festival
One woman’s attempt to create a festival celebrating diverse music ran up against the reality of the pandemic this year. But it also yielded lessons in how to reimagine events in the COVID era.
Editorial pages look at these public health issues and others.
Opinion pages express views about the complicated delivery of vaccines and the crafting of messages about them in order to get as many people vaccinated as possible.
Alaska Weighs Prioritizing Vaccine For Inmates As Prison Outbreak Grows
More than 700 inmates in one prison have been diagnosed with COVID-19. In news from other states, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing increasing complaints about his handling of the pandemic, Philadelphia is closing some shelters for homeless people and federal officials announce they have found a mink in the wild that has the coronavirus.