Latest KFF Health News Stories
Military’s Planning For Vaccine Distribution Concern Biden Adviser
As the Biden transition moves forward, without concession or cooperation from the Trump administration, COVID-19 vaccine distribution emerges as a key discussion point. And speculation continues about who will be nominated to the next cabinet.
COVID Infections Accelerating In Every State. And 42 Are In The Red Zone.
The nation surpassed a series of other alarming marks as well: Texas became the first state with over 1 million cases; the U.S. broke another daily record of over 136,000 new infections; and hospitalizations are at the highest point of the pandemic.
Supreme Court Justices Signal That ACA May Survive Latest Challenge
Exchanges during two hours of arguments in California v. Texas — another legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act — indicate that even conservative members of the Supreme Court may be inclined to uphold the health law. A decision is expected in late spring.
Supplies Of Eli Lilly’s COVID Antibody Treatment Expected To Be Strained
Limited amounts of the drug and other logistical challenges could hamper the federal government to fairly distribute the newly approved treatment.
Extreme Cold Pfizer Vaccine Requires Will Make Broad Distribution Tough
The good news is that Pfizer’s vaccine is reported to be 90% effective; the bad is that it must be stored in expensive ultra-cold freezers that many hospitals and facilities that often provide inoculations do not currently possess.
Azar, Fauci Confident A COVID Vaccine Will Be Widely Available By Spring
The current vaccine development roadmap points to general public distribution as soon as April 2021 according to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
‘Two-Way Street’: CDC Now Says Masks Protect You And Those Around You
“Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. News on PPE also covers masks with antiviral coating and the surgical gowns that are failing U.S. standards.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Five Important Questions About Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine
The drugmaker says its mRNA vaccine worked in 90% of patients in its trial, but some observers question how long immunity will last and who will benefit.
Biden Plan to Lower Medicare Eligibility Age to 60 Faces Hostility From Hospitals
Hospitals, a potent political force, fear lowering the eligibility age will cost them billions of dollars in revenue because federal reimbursements are lower than private insurers’.
California Stands to Lose Big if US Supreme Court Cancels Obamacare
California has more at stake than any other state should the U.S. Supreme Court strike down the Affordable Care Act. Millions of people could lose their health coverage and the state could lose billions in federal money each year.
Fiscal general de California: los jueces deben ver que ACA es “indispensable”
Respaldado por más de 20 estados, Xavier Becerra defiende la ley contra el desafío presentado hace dos años por una coalición de funcionarios estatales republicanos.
Condado de Orange lucha por la equidad en salud y contra las restricciones estatales
El parque de diversiones más popular de California es el centro de una lucha sobre la mejor manera de contener COVID-19, al mismo tiempo que se trata de mantener la economía a flote.
Viewpoints: Be Optimistic, But Watch Authorization Of Vaccine Very Closely
Opinion writers weigh in on news about a vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.
Nevada Sets Criteria For Confirming COVID Deaths, Probable Deaths
Media outlets report on news from Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and other states, as well.
Ukraine’s President Tests Positive; Denmark Shelves Plans To Slaughter Mink
News is from Ukraine, Denmark, Mexico, Canada, Ethiopia, Nepal, and Ireland.
Perspectives: The Health Law Is At Risk Again In Supreme Court; Americans Have Much To Lose
Opinion writers express views about the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act before the Supreme Court.
Brazil Halts Sinovac Trial After ‘Severe Adverse Event’
Brazilian media reported that one volunteer had died but that the death was unrelated to trials of China’s Sinovac vaccine, the Wall Street Journal said. In other news: Another study has found that hydroxychloroquine doesn’t help hospitalized COVID patients.
‘Little Ticking Time Bombs?’: Experts Worry About College Students’ Thanksgiving Travels
In a couple of weeks, hundreds of thousands of students will return home with few required to test for the virus beforehand. News is on where to get a test before traveling and more.
Several Maine Hospitals Cited For COVID Violations
Employees at a handful of hospitals didn’t wear face coverings or eye protection, according to regulators who visited the hospitals between June and September, the Bangor Daily News reports. One of the hospitals cited, Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast, is currently coping with a coronavirus outbreak among staffers.