Latest KFF Health News Stories
Source Of Postal Slowdown Linked To Higher-Ups, Records Show
The Washington Post obtains more documents related to the U.S. Postal Service postal changes that delayed deliveries that conflict with USPS executives previous accounts. The moves have drawn public outrage due to the important role of the mail in efforts to keep voters safe during the pandemic.
Trump’s Virginia Rally Poses ‘Severe Public Health Threat,’ State Officials Warn
The public event scheduled for tonight would violate Virginia’s 250-person limit. The state health officials’ concerns are unlikely to alter the planned rally.
House Democrats Knock $1T Off Stimulus Proposal To Jump-Start Talks
After stalling for months, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says coronavirus stimulus negotiations would resume as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells key House committee chairs to craft a new proposal that backs down on a previous $3.4-trillion ask. The new plan under discussion would cost closer to $2.4 trillion — which Republicans say is still too high.
Medical Failures Contributed To Immigrant Deaths, House Probe Finds
A House report summing up a year-long investigation cites examples of medical mismanagement and records falsification.
‘We Use A Scalpel Rather Than A Bulldozer’: Why Justices Might Keep Obamacare
The fate of the Affordable Care Act hinges on a separate legal argument called “severability,” or whether a smaller part of the law that is found unconstitutional can be wiped out while leaving the rest of the law intact. And the abortion issue influences the Supreme Court debate.
Lawmakers Reject Specter Of Non-Peaceful Transition Raised By Trump
As state officials work to protect the health and safety of Americans voting in November’s elections through early and mail-in ballots, President Donald Trump continues to question voting integrity. But lawmakers from both parties insist that an “orderly” inauguration will take place in January.
Medicare Recipients Will Get $200 Card For Prescriptions, Trump Says
He tucked the news into a speech about his health care vision but didn’t provide many details. It’s possible the cards may be intended to help seniors pay for the COVID vaccine, which reportedly might not be covered by Medicare.
HHS Spokesman Michael Caputo Undergoes Surgery For Cancer
Michael Caputo was diagnosed with “squamous cell carcinoma, a metastatic head and neck cancer which originated in his throat.” The HHS spokesman took medical leave last week after falsely accusing CDC scientists of “sedition” and reports of meddling in COVID-19 reports. At the time, Caputo also raised concerns about his personal health. He now urges Americans not to neglect their own during the pandemic.
Trump ‘Affirms’ Preexisting Condition Protections Enacted By Obamacare
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that he claims preserve the Affordable Care Act’s popular protections for people with preexisting conditions while his administration supports a case headed to the Supreme Court that could dismantle the health law. The president’s actions around Obamacare have been a focus of election-year criticism.
Trump Administration To Allow Importation Of Prescription Drugs
President Donald Trump announced the final rule that clears the way for states to import cheaper medicines from Canada while outlining his “America First Health Plan” Thursday.
After Short-Lived Dip, COVID Cases Ticking Up Again In 22 States
As the latest infection trends point toward yet another surge, the U.S. passes 7 million confirmed coronavirus cases. The spike worries public health experts as the nation heads toward flu season and the holidays.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump Approves Final Plan to Import Drugs From Canada ‘for a Fraction of the Price’
The announcement clears the way for Florida and other states to implement a program bringing medications across the border to save money. The effort is strongly opposed by drugmakers and the Canadian government.
Heartbreaking Bills, Lawsuit and Bankruptcy — Even With Insurance
With health insurance that can leave him on the hook for more than a quarter of his salary every year, a Kentucky essential worker who has heart disease is one of millions of Americans who are functionally uninsured. At only 31, he has already been through bankruptcy and being sued by his hospital. This year, he faced a bill for more than $10,000.
In Los Angeles, Latinos Hit Hard By Pandemic’s Economic Storm
A new poll finds 71% of Latino households in Los Angeles County experienced serious financial problems because of the coronavirus.
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
En Los Angeles, la tormenta económica por la pandemia ha pegado fuerte en los latinos
Los latinos ahora representan el 60% de los casos de COVID-19 en California, aunque son alrededor del 40% de la población.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: ACA in Peril With Ginsburg’s Seat in Play
The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is giving new life to the latest constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act. It also places anti-abortion activists on the cusp of a court majority large enough to ensure the rollback of the right to abortion and, possibly, some types of birth control. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar tries to centralize power at the sprawling department plagued by miscommunications and scandals. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Sarah Jane Tribble about her new podcast, “Where It Hurts,” debuting Sept. 29.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
Perspectives: Pros, Cons Of U.S. Response To Testing, Opening Schools, Rushing A Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others as the U.S. death toll passes 200,000.