Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Urges Store Workers Not To Argue With People Who Aren’t Wearing Masks
In other public health news: Princess Cruises and Cunard have canceled their sailings into early 2021; a Kentucky man accused of twice breaking Canada’s COVID rules could be fined $569,000; and more.
Woman Mistakenly Declared Dead, Found Alive At Funeral Home
The 20-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, is in critical condition at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, where she is on a respirator and her heart is beating on its own.
American Airlines Warning About Layoffs Signals Congress About Need For Relief
Efforts between the Democrats and Republicans to find a compromise on a new relief bill collapsed before the summer recess. In other news, New York joins other states in filing a lawsuit to block postal service changes.
A genetic data study finds that the Biogen conference held in Boston in February played a much greater role in spreading the coronavirus in the outbreak’s early days than previously identified. Meanwhile, public health experts say that the recent Sturgis motorcycle rally is shaping up as a similar “superspreader” event.
Planned Parenthood Assailed At GOP Convention
The convention highlighted the appointment of judges and justices and other efforts to restrict abortion. The “right-to-try” untested drug treatments was also touted.
Melania Trump Delivers Rare Nod At Convention To Tragedy Of Pandemic
Telling Americans “you are not alone,” First Lady Melania Trump has been one of the few speakers so far at the Republican National Convention to voice sympathy for the more than 182,000 lives lost in the U.S. due to COVID-19.
All Nursing Homes Must Now Test Workers For COVID, CMS Mandates
Facilities face financial penalties if they don’t test staff during an outbreak. The interim regulation is the first time the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has required such testing during the coronavirus pandemic.
FDA’s Positive Plasma Claims Are Walked Back
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn even apologized for overstating the results of convalescent plasma treatments.
CDC: No COVID Symptoms? No Test
People who have been exposed to others with the virus “do not necessarily need a test” if they are not experiencing symptoms, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Not A Straight Line Down: Daily Cases Creep Back Up Last Two Days
While confirmed COVID-19 infections are down from last week’s levels, places like Illinois, Hawaii and Puerto Rico report surges.
Hospitals Must Report COVID Data Or Risk Medicare, Medicaid Funding
In new emergency rules, the Trump administration warned hospitals that it would revoke Medicare and Medicaid dollars if coronavirus patient data and test results are not reported to HHS. The reporting program was previously voluntary.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump Again Claims He’s Bringing Down Drug Prices, But Details of How Are Skimpy
During his Monday speech at the Republican National Convention, President Donald Trump pointed to his two of his recent executive orders as likely to lead to big reductions in prescription drug costs.
Prognosis for Rural Hospitals Worsens With Pandemic
Rural hospitals were already struggling before the coronavirus emerged. Now, the loss of revenue from patients who are afraid to come to the emergency room, postponing doctor’s appointments and delaying elective surgeries is adding to the pressure.
Feeling Anxious and Depressed? You’re Right at Home in California.
In a series of July U.S. Census Bureau surveys, nearly half of California adult respondents reported levels of anxiety and gloom typically associated with diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder or major depressive disorder, a stunning figure that rose through the summer alongside the menacing spread of the coronavirus.
Two Navajo Sisters Who Were Inseparable Died of COVID Just Weeks Apart
Cheryl and Corrina Thinn’s deaths devastated their families and their community.
LA Hospital Seeks Vaccine Trial Participants Among Its Own High-Risk Patients
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center serves patients who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus: They are essential workers, have chronic diseases and are members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. When the safety-net hospital kicks off enrollment for its COVID-19 vaccine trial Wednesday, it will look to those patients to participate.
Many People of Color, Immigrants Among Over 1,000 US Health Workers Lost to COVID
The Guardian and KHN release new figures showing that, among health care workers, a disproportionate number of immigrants and minorities have died.
Republican Convention, Day 1: A Campaign-Style Trump Speech and More
Republicans kicked off the first day of their convention with a wide-ranging speech by President Donald Trump in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Editorial pages focus on these public health topics and others.