Latest KFF Health News Stories
Negotiations Over COVID Stimulus Bill Still Stalled
Democrats and Republicans remain at loggerheads over another stimulus bill to counteract the economic effects of the COVID epidemic.
Government Hasn’t Started Recouping Relief Loans
Hospitals await the garnishing of Medicare payments that they’d expected would have begun by now. Other industry news from Chicago and Canada.
Who Gets Rapid COVID Tests First? HHS Sending To States For Assisted Living Facilities, Schools
Testing czar Brett Giroir released more details on how the federal government plans to distribute Abbott’s newly approved antigen test. The initial focus will be on assisted living facilities and schools, as well as people recently impacted by Hurricane Laura and the California wildfires.
FEMA Ends Funding For Face Masks For Schools
“Supporting schools and other functions — courthouses and other related functions – are not a direct emergency protective measures and therefore they’re not eligible for [federal funding],” said Keith Turi, a FEMA official.
With Stockpile Full, HHS Cancels Ventilator Contracts
The federal government now has about 120,000 ventilators in the national stockpile, available to be distributed to state and local health officials if needed.
CDC Bans Residential Evictions Through End Of This Year
The Trump administration issued the moratorium to prevent millions of people out of work during the pandemic from losing their homes. The order does not offer financial assistance for landlords missing rent.
Trump Furiously Denies Suggestion Of Mini-Stroke As Reason For Irregular Walter Reed Exam
President Donald Trump vented his anger on Twitter over health questions raised by a new book that says Vice President Mike Pence was on alert to assume presidential powers during Trump’s unannounced medical visit last November. Pence says he does not recall being on standby and Trump’s doctors issued a rare statement stating the president has not experienced or been evaluated for a stroke, mini-stroke or heart-related emergency.
Iowa Warned To Pull Back Amid Spike While COVID Cases Down In Sun Belt
The White House coronavirus task force urges Iowa leaders to take further steps to control the state’s outbreak. Meanwhile, in most Southern and Western states that reported a huge summer spike, new cases are down.
US To Go It Alone On COVID Vaccine, Spurns WHO-Led Global Consortium
The Trump administration announced that the United States will not join an international efforts — led by the World Health Organization with nearly every other nation involved — to develop and distribute a coronavirus vaccine.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Health Officials Worry Nation’s Not Ready for COVID-19 Vaccine
As the nation awaits a vaccine to end the pandemic, local health departments say they lack the staff, money, tools ― and a unified plan ― to distribute, administer and track millions of vaccines, most of which will require two doses. Dozens of doctors, nurses and health officials interviewed by KHN and The Associated Press expressed their concern and frustration over federal shortcomings.
When the Pandemic Closes Your Gym, ‘Come for the Party, Stay for the Workout’
As gyms throughout New York City had to close because of the coronavirus pandemic, some trainers just moved outdoors to the parks.
Fauci Says COVID Vaccine Trials Could End Early If Results Are Overwhelming
The nation’s top infectious disease official is confident that an independent panel will base vaccine approval on science, not politics.
Turistas llevan dólares, y COVID, a las islas del Caribe estadounidense
La pandemia de COVID-19 ha enfrentado los intereses económicos con las guías de salud pública en dos islas cuyas economías dependen en gran parte del turismo.
Fauci dice que una vacuna contra COVID podría estar lista antes de lo esperado
El experto en enfermedades infecciosas de más alto rango en el país dice que esto podría ocurrir si los ensayos clínicos en curso producen resultados abrumadoramente positivos.
Listen: Control of U.S. Senate Could Hinge on Obamacare Positions
KHN senior Colorado correspondent Markian Hawryluk joined KUNC’s Erin O’Toole on “Colorado Edition” to discuss how the growing favorability of the Affordable Care Act could play a role in determining who wins control of the U.S. Senate this fall.
Viewpoints: CDC Quit Trying To Defeat COVID; Distrust In Science Is Spreading
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
How The World Is Faring: Indonesia Also Battles Flood Of Medical Waste
Global news is from Indonesia, Hong Kong, France, Poland, Russia, Portugal, India, Australia, Spain and Canada.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
Overdose Deaths In San Francisco Rose 70% Last Year; This Year May Be Worse
Other topics in the news: vaping; orthostatic hypotension; and radioactive fallout from a nuclear test in 1945.