Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Clock Ticks, Democratic Candidates For Senate Zero In On Health Care
There are highly competitive races in nearly a dozen states. Many senators or their challengers are largely avoiding mentions of President Donald Trump and his COVID response.
Federal Court To Examine Texas Decision To Save Drive-Through Votes
A state court denied a GOP effort to throw out more than 120,000 votes in Harris County. News is on orders to deliver ballots on time and more, as well.
Study: Trump Rallies Spreading Coronavirus And Death
A Stanford University study claims that some of President Trump’s campaign rallies have spread the coronavirus and led to more than 700 deaths.
Crisis Rapidly Gets Worse: Nearly 100,000 Cases A Day; 31 States Break Daily Records
And the worst-case scenario of overwhelmed health care facilities and workers is coming to pass in many areas, with almost 50,000 Americans hospitalized.
Fire Fauci?: Trump Hints To Supporters Of Post-Election Plan
As Florida campaign rallygoers chanted “fire Fauci” Sunday night, President Donald Trump responded: “Don’t tell anybody but let me wait until a little bit after the election.” Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci did not mince his words in an interview with The Washington Post about the status of the coronavirus crisis: “We’re in for a whole lot of hurt. It’s not a good situation.”
Doctors Outraged By Trump’s ‘Malicious’ And ‘Baseless’ Claim Of Faked COVID Numbers
Without citing any evidence, President Donald Trump told a campaign rally over the weekend that American medical professionals are inflating COVID death statistics in order to increase profits. Medical groups quickly repudiated the charge.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
They Work in Several Nursing Homes to Eke Out a Living, Possibly Spreading the Virus
An analysis of location data from 30 million smartphones found that facilities across the country that share the most workers also had the most COVID-19 infections. The “Kevin Bacon of nursing homes” in each state — the one with the most staffers working at other nursing homes — was likely to have the worst outbreaks of coronavirus contagion.
‘An Arm and a Leg’: David vs. Goliath: How to Beat a Big Hospital in Small Claims Court
In a classic — and hilarious — David vs. Goliath story, Jeffrey Fox takes on a huge hospital over an outrageous bill, and wins.
Medicare Fines Half of Hospitals for Readmitting Too Many Patients
The penalties are the ninth round of a program created as part of the Affordable Care Act’s broader effort to improve quality and lower costs. The average reduction in federal payments is 0.69%, with 613 hospitals receiving a penalty of 1% or more.
California’s Progressive — and Expensive — Health Care Ambitions Rely on Biden Win
There couldn’t be more at stake for California’s Democratic health care agenda in the presidential race. State lawmakers are already penning big-ticket legislation they hope to pursue should Democrat Joe Biden win, from single-payer to a new wealth tax.
Hospitalized? You Can Still Vote in Most Parts of the Country
Hospital staff in states such as California and New York can help patients obtain ballots and vote. In other states, you need a relative to assist you.
Editorial pages express views about the future of health policy and how policy impacts the pandemic.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on COVID, drug addiction, pregnancy, children’s health and the 2001 anthrax scare.
First Cases Emerge On US Military Bases In Marshall Islands
Two infected workers arrived from the U.S., ending the nation’s ability to claim no cases. News is from New Zealand and Italy, as well.
Different Takes: Reconsider Holiday Plans And Save Lives; Rethink Masks, Lockdowns
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and other health issues, as well.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Top Contender For Heisman, Has COVID
The star athlete won’t play in this weekend’s game against Boston College. In other sports and recreation news: A wife of a Tampa Bay Rays player has tested positive, as well as several on a pit crew for NASCAR driver William Byron; JetBlue will let people sit in the middle seats; and more.
Walmart Stashes Away Guns, Ammo Ahead Of Election
You can still buy them, but they won’t be on display, the company says.
Advocates Express COVID Concern About California Prisoner Transfers
News is from California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New York, Mississippi, Texas, Utah, Rhode Island and North Carolina.
Lab Tests Show CRISPR Gene Editing Can Damage Embryos
The work done by Columbia University researchers shows that the tool, recently awarded a Nobel Prize, can cause potential harm. News is on immunotherapy and neurology, as well.