Latest KFF Health News Stories
States’ Face-Covering Mandates Leave Gaps in Protection
States vary in how they define face coverings in their mandates. But a bandanna or neck gaiter isn’t nearly as effective as a surgical or cloth mask. Public health experts say every state needs more standardization to protect against COVID-19.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Perspectives: What President-Elect Biden Can Do About Drug Prices; Trumponomics Won’t Go Away
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
China’s Vaccine Appears Safe, But It Produces Lower Levels Of Antibodies
Other global news is from Russia, Sweden, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Deep Sleep Can Help Ward Off Alzheimer’s Disease, Studies Show
Other news is on ALS therapy, chronic fatigue syndrome, mouthwashes that fight COVID and more.
End To England’s Quarantine?: British Airways Announces Testing Plan
News is on flying safety, travel bubbles, the end of SeaDream’s season, Canada’s plans for the NBA and more.
Louisiana Prison Didn’t Isolate Inmates Who Had COVID, Report Finds
In other news from the states: North Dakota’s coronavirus mortality rate is the highest of any U.S. state or country; Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) is quarantining after members of his security detail tested positive for COVID-19; and more.
PhRMA Unveils Guidelines To Improve Racial Diversity In Clinical Trials
The pharmaceutical industry’s largest lobbying organization said the guidelines are voluntary and take effect April 2021. Also in the news: Purdue Pharma, Amazon Pharmacy, Medtronic and more.
About 800 Nurses Go On Strike Near Philadelphia
“Safe staffing is the main issue in our negotiation,” said a nurse who has worked for 10 years at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, near Philadelphia.
Need A COVID Test? Brace For Long Lines And Shortages Again
Demand is spiking as coronavirus infections hit record highs and Americans try to get tested ahead of Thanksgiving. But kits are running out in many areas and labs report that they are running out chemicals and supplies.
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, Third In Line Of Presidential Succession, Has COVID
The Republican president pro tempore of the Senate, who is 87, was at the Capitol on Monday and spoke on the Senate floor, taking off his mask to do so.
CMS: Improper Medicare Payments Drop $15B Since 2016
CMS administrator Verma Selma said the decline was due in part to improvements in home health, including a $5.9 billion decrease in improper payments.
Trump Moves Ahead With ‘Most Favored Nation’ Medicare Drug Plan
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Trump Absents His Administration At COVID Emergency Tipping Point
Public health officials are voicing alarm that the White House has “checked out” at the same time coronavirus cases are skyrocketing and the nation is approaching holidays that could prove to be superspreading events.
CDC Walks Back Guidance On Risks Of COVID To Kids And Schools
Two controversial documents that pushed for schools to reopen was removed from the CDC website with no public statement. The agency also posted warnings about holiday activities that could transmit the virus like drinking and caroling.
Transition Stonewall Imperils Vaccine And COVID Prep, Biden Advisers Warn
President-elect Joe Biden’s coronavirus advisers are appealing to the Trump administration to allow the transition process to proceed so that they can get the resources and intelligence needed to move forward with pandemic planning.
Team Biden Connects Early With Leading Public Health Groups
While the formal transition is stalled by the Trump administration, President-elect Joe Biden and his team are reaching out to governors and public health leaders while continuing to announce the people who will next staff the White House.
State Restrictions Tighten — Even In Some With Republican Governors
Also, Dr. Anthony Fauci calls for a national approach. Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Oregon, New Jersey, North and South Dakota and more.
The Final Results Are In: Pfizer Vaccine Is 95% Effective
The company said it will seek emergency authorization “within days.” If approved, Pfizer would likely make history for having the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine.
For Pfizer And Moderna, The Hard Part Isn’t Over Yet
Manufacturing enough COVID-19 vaccines, distributing them and storing them are among the major concerns for vaccine makers in the months ahead.