Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Oklahoma Allows Nurses With COVID To Continue Working

Morning Briefing

But the state nurses association opposes the new rule by the Oklahoma health department. State officials said asymptomatic health care workers can only be used as a last resort during short periods of time where it is absolutely necessary.

Food Banks Struggle To Keep Up With Demand Ahead Of Holiday

Morning Briefing

At the Family Pantry in Harwich, Mass., executive director Christine Menard said dozens of people have waited before the pantry opened for free turkeys — something she had never experienced before. “This is absolutely the worst I’ve ever seen it,” she said.

Hasidic Wedding Draws Thousands In Defiance Of N.Y. COVID Rules

Morning Briefing

The celebration broke rules set by city and state officials and organizers face a $15,000 fine. In other news related to the virus; some people note their hearing loss when trying to hear others speak through masks; and the news media’s reaction to the pandemic is scrutinized.

Biden’s Top Choices For HHS Floated

Morning Briefing

As expected, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy are reportedly the top choices to head the Department of Health and Human Services. In other Biden transition news: the president-elect plans Thanksgiving address; stimulus deal debated; and more.

Opioid Epidemic: Purdue Pleads Guilty

Morning Briefing

In doing so, the opioid maker admits it did not prevent prescription drugs from being diverted to the black market and that it provided misleading information to the government.

First Vaccine Dispatch Of 6.4M Doses To Be Sent To States As Soon As FDA OKs

Morning Briefing

Operation Warp Speed officials outlined what the first 24 hours of their vaccine distribution plan will look like, once a COVID-19 vaccine is granted FDA authorization. That milestone is expected in the second week of December. Meanwhile, CDC advisers recommend warning Americans about potential side effects they should expect.

Pfizer’s Deal With Operation Warp Speed Excludes Common Government Rights

Morning Briefing

The $1.95 billion contract does not contain government rights to intellectual property developed in the manufacture of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Other news on vaccine delivery, development and hesitancy is also reported.

Deaths Reported In Single Day Climb To Highest Point In Six Months

Morning Briefing

First it was a surge in infections. Then hospitalizations. And now, as experts warned, deaths due to COVID-19 are rising in the U.S. back to peak-levels of the spring. There were 2,100 COVID deaths on Tuesday.

Some States Get Serious About Thanksgiving Travelers

Morning Briefing

Several states and cities are cracking down on the movement of Thanksgiving travelers as a survey shows a lot of people are disregarding warnings about COVID transmission during the holiday.

First Edition: Nov. 25, 2020

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Note to readers: KHN’s Morning Briefing is off for the rest of the week. Check for it next in your inbox on Nov. 30.

Why Employers Find It So Hard to Test for COVID

KFF Health News Original

COVID-19 cases are surging across the U.S., and most workplaces are still open for business. As workers fear catching the disease while on the clock, why aren’t more companies footing the bill for testing employees?