Latest KFF Health News Stories
Justice Investigates Nursing Home Deaths
The Department of Justice is asking for data from four governors–all Democrats– New York’s Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey’s Phil Murphy, Pennsylvania’s Tom Wolf and Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer.
CMS Extends Deadline To Update Self-Referral Law
Because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Department of Health and Human Services are still “working through the complexity of the issues raised by comments received on the proposed rule,” they said Wednesday.
Wisconsin Unrest, ‘Right To Try,’ Personal Health Stories Also In Spotlight At GOP Convention
Health care policy issues are interwoven in some of the key talking points of convention speakers.
White House Might Take Executive Action On COVID Relief Bill
Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told Politico he doubts there will be a deal with Congress, adding that the administration might take matters into its own hands to prevent furloughs in the airline industry.
Judge: Virus Fears A Reason For Mail-In Ballot
A Tennessee judge says election officials must tell citizens that the risk of COVID is a valid reason for requesting an absentee ballot.
Low-Cost, Rapid Nasal Swab Test Gets Emergency OK From FDA
It’s the first such quick test to get FDA authorization that does not require specialty lab equipment like traditional tests. Abbot Laboratories will sell the 15-minute test for $5.
Pence Vows End-Of-Year Vaccine In Speech, Then Greets Maskless Supporters
During his keynote speech on the third night of the Republican National Convention, Vice President Mike Pence said, “I’m proud to report that we’re on track to have the world’s first safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by the end of this year.” He also praised health care workers.
A Ferocious Hurricane Made Worse With COVID
COVID-19 makes evacuating and protecting people much harder as category-4 Hurricane Laura slams into the Gulf States.
The Vaccine Race: Who Gets One First?; Novavax, Moderna Report Progress
The CDC proposes guidelines for who in the U.S. will have first access to a COVID-19 vaccine — once one is approved. Meanwhile, Novavax is reportedly eyeing December to apply for authorization of its vaccine candidate, while Moderna shows promising trial results in older adults.
Public Health Experts Appalled By Testing Change, Question Scientific Basis
The shifting guidance will confuse Americans and result in less testing, public health experts worry — as they also raise alarms about the scientific reasoning driving the CDC’s abrupt change. In related news, Dr. Anthony Fauci was not in the room when the deliberation happened.
White House Task Force Directed CDC To Weaken COVID Testing Guidelines
The reason behind the CDC’s sudden change to its recommendations as to who should get a coronavirus test has set off a new flap over the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Another COVID Mystery: Patients Survive Ventilator, But Linger in a Coma
Doctors are diagnosing a new stage of COVID-19 recovery: patients who take much longer than usual to regain consciousness after coming off a ventilator. And a growing number of doctors are worried some patients aren’t being given the time they need to wake up.
They Cared for Some of New York’s Most Vulnerable Communities. Then 12 Died.
Immigrant health workers help keep the U.S. health system afloat — and they’re dying of COVID-19 at high rates.
Drug Overdose Deaths Showed a One-Year Decline in 2018. But There’s More to the Story.
The statistic is accurate but experts say other factors make it difficult to say indicators to think about that make it hard to say it’s a “huge win.”
Inmigrantes y personas de minorías entre los más de 1,000 trabajadores de salud muertos por COVID
El virus ha cobrado un precio desproporcionado en las comunidades de color y entre los inmigrantes, y los trabajadores de salud no se han librado de esa tendencia.
Republican Convention, Day 2: Pomp, the Pandemic and Planned Parenthood
Tuesday night’s speakers offered positive views on President Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic. The first lady and Trump, himself, took advantage of the trappings of the White House in setting the scene.
Perspectives: USPS Crisis; Biden’s Health Plans; Physician Dispensing; And Medical Innovation
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Viewpoints: Lessons On The FDA’s Fuddling Of Statistics; Vaccine Trials Need To Include Children
Opinion writers weigh in on these public heath issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on how the GOP’s convention is presenting the administration’s handling of the pandemic and other health issues.