Latest KFF Health News Stories
Jon Stewart: Congress Abandoning Vets Exposed To Toxins In Burning Pits
Burn pits were used to incinerate hazardous material and chemical compounds at military sites throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. Stewart, the former “Daily Show” host, previously backed a bill to help 9/11 first responders get health care through 2092.
House To Stay In Session Until COVID Relief Deal Done, Pelosi Says
Despite the pledge from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, there are no other signs of progress in stalemated negotiations between Democratic leaders and the White House over the next stimulus package.
White House Draft Plan For Lowering Medicare Drug Prices Could Shake Up Vendor System
In the proposal, Medicare would pay the lowest price offered in countries with comparable economies. Modern Healthcare reports on the implications to move would have on the buy-and-bill system.
Ranks Of Uninsured Rose Again In 2019, Before Pandemic Even Hit
The latest Census Bureau report finds the trend of decreased numbers of Americans with health insurance continued for a third year under President Donald Trump’s presidency.
Azar Reportedly Reversed FDA Chief On Testing Policy; Schumer Calls For Him To Go
Politico reports that HHS Secretary Alex Azar revoked the FDA’s ability to check the quality of COVID-19 tests developed by individual labs for their own use, over objections from FDA chief Stephen Hahn. The growing reports of turmoil at HHS prompted Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to call for Azar’s immediate resignation.
‘In Many Ways, I Up-Played It’: Trump Now Denying He Downplayed COVID Threat
Fielding questions at a town hall in Philadelphia on Tuesday, President Donald Trump reversed last week’s admission that he did play down the severity of the pandemic to the public in the early months, despite recently released audio recordings. He also made comments related to masks, herd immunity and racial justice issues.
Caputo Apologizes To HHS Team For False Accusations, Keeps Job For Now
Reports emerge of the closed-door apologies HHS spokesman Michael Caputo made to his boss, HHS Secretary Alex Azar, and other agency colleagues following controversial and unfounded remarks he made on Facebook. Caputo was not fired but could take medical leave.
Kids, Teens Who Died Of COVID Fell In Similar Risk Patterns As Adults
Just like adults, an underlying health condition can leave young people more vulnerable to a severe case of COVID-19, according to a CDC report looking into 121 fatal coronavirus cases in people below the age of 21. Racial disparities were found as well, with two-thirds of the cases among Black and Hispanic youth.
Smoke From Historic Wildfires Smothers West, Blankets Much Of US
In the West, the dangerous air quality is deteriorating with hospitals reporting more cases of acute breathing issues. Public health experts are also worried about the longer-term health impact of prolonged smoke exposure. News outlets report on the latest wildfire conditions and what people can do to protect themselves.
Black, Pacific Islander Mothers In San Francisco Get Stipends To Improve Outcomes
Babies of these moms are twice as likely to be born prematurely. Also, the mothers die more often than white mothers. More public health news is on the HPV vaccine, mask wearing and HIV, as well.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Lack of Antigen Test Reporting Leaves Country ‘Blind to the Pandemic’
A KHN review found more than 20 states either don’t count or have incomplete data on the use of COVID-19 antigen tests, leaving the public in the dark about the true scope of the pandemic.
Tough to Tell COVID From Smoke Inhalation Symptoms — And Flu Season’s Coming
Respiratory symptoms stemming from coronavirus infection and smoke inhalation are too similar to distinguish without a full workup. This is complicating the jobs of health care workers as wildfires rage up and down the West Coast.
COVID Vaccine Trials Move at Warp Speed, But Recruiting Black Volunteers Takes Time
The National Institutes of Health has suggested minorities should be overrepresented in COVID-19 vaccine trials — perhaps at rates that are double their percentage of the U.S. population. But efforts to recruit patients from racial minority groups are just beginning, while some trials have already advanced to phase 3.
Los NIH, “muy preocupados” por efectos secundarios en ensayo de vacuna para COVID
La Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos está evaluando la posibilidad de seguir a los reguladores británicos y reanudar el ensayo de la vacuna. Pero hay dudas.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Perspectives: Time To Prepare For Toll COVID Takes On Organs; Lessons On Resiliency, Second Surges
Opinion writers express views about these public health issues and others.
Mexican Borders Reopen For Nonessential Travel From US
All land and sea borders had been closed since March 21, although flights had largely continued during that time. Other news is from Germany, Panama and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Pa.’s COVID Shutdown Orders Were Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
“The solution to a national crisis can never be permitted to supersede the commitment to individual liberty that stands as the foundation of the American experiment,” U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV, a Trump appointee, said in his opinion.
Masks: Counterfeits; Impact On Kids; Debates About Safety Vs. Freedom
Customs seized a shipment of N95 masks from China that failed a safety test. More mask news is on questions parents have about covering the faces of children, ads in Michigan to encourage use and more.