Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Wisconsin Warns Against Eating Holiday ‘Cannibal Sandwiches’

Morning Briefing

Health officials warn that traditional raw beef sandwiches (served with raw onions) pose a threat of food poisoning. Other news dwindling resources for people with developmental difficulties, and celebrity COVID deaths.

First Child Death From Flu Reported

Morning Briefing

The CDC reports the flu season’s first child death though, in general, flu outbreaks are limited. A study questions the belief that public transportation plays a big role in virus transmission. And researchers develop a scratch-and-sniff card to test for COVID.

With Moderna Vaccine OK Expected Soon, HHS Buys 100M More Doses

Morning Briefing

The latest purchase doubles the amount of Moderna’s vaccine that will be available to the U.S. by June 2021. In treatment news, an arthritis medication is shown to help people with COVID-19.

‘Long COVID’ May Be Caused By ‘Friendly Fire,’ Yale Study Finds

Morning Briefing

Patients had large numbers of misguided antibodies in their blood that targeted the organs, tissues and the immune system itself, rather than fighting off the invading virus, a Yale University study finds.

Groups Sue HHS Over Changes To Medicare 340B Drug Discount Program

Morning Briefing

They say the plan to tie drug payments to foreign prices would cause financial hardship for providers, reduce patient access and reduce pay rates from other payers, Modern Healthcare reports.

Congress Continues To Reach For Accord On Stimulus

Morning Briefing

Congress has this week to reach an agreement on economic relief to people and businesses affected by the COVID pandemic. Splitting the measure into two parts is thought to be a way to make a deal.

Jill Biden At Center Of Flap Over Who Gets To Be Called ‘Doctor’

Morning Briefing

An opinion column in the Wall Street Journal chided her for attaching “Dr.” to her name because she has a doctorate degree that is not an M.D. In a tweet, Biden’s spokesperson called the piece a “disgusting and sexist attack.”

‘Useless And Unfortunate’: Final-Hour White House Pressure On FDA Reported

Morning Briefing

Despite a reported threat from the White House chief of staff to his job, FDA chief Stephen Hahn says that COVID-19 vaccine review and approval was based entirely on science. Operation Warp Speed’s Moncef Slaoui said that if such a call happened, it was counterproductive to convincing Americans to get the shot.

Deaths Near 300,000 As Hospitalizations Hit Record High

Morning Briefing

Some overwhelmed hospitals are hoping to begin vaccinating health care workers today as hospitalizations double from five weeks ago. In Florida, the governor rejects calls for a mask order.