Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Rolls ‘Drive-In Rallies’ Into Swing States
The Biden campaign has employed strict safety protocols throughout the pandemic, forcing it to try new approaches in the final days of the campaign.
A Case A Second. 1 Death Every 107 Seconds. US COVID Rates Shatter Records.
The coronavirus is spreading rapidly across nearly every part of the U.S., in what the White House task force calls an “unrelentless surge.” One model predicts that deaths could triple by January if states don’t take steps to curb the outbreak.
Hidden Data Reveals Where Hospitals Are Reaching Capacity With COVID Patients
NPR obtained Department of Health and Human Services documents detailing hospitalization trends that the Trump administration withholds from the public. In related news, medical facilities in Wisconsin, Maryland and Texas battle the fall surge while preparing for winter.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘It’s Science, Stupid’: A School Subject Emerges as a Hot-Button Political Issue
Science is becoming increasingly politicized, so how will it fare on the campaign trail — in 2020 and beyond?
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
If They Sweep on Election Day, Dems Still Face a Challenge Meeting Health Promises
Democrats are favored to win both chambers of Congress after years of campaign-trail promises about health care. But their margin in the Senate could be slim, making it difficult to pass major health care legislation. And they still must heal some rifts within the caucus about how far they can push overhaul efforts.
A $200 Debit Card Won’t Do Much for Seniors’ Drug Costs
President Donald Trump wants to send seniors $200 apiece. Beyond the legal and logistical problems, health care experts point out it does little to help someone with even typical prescription costs.
Why State Mask Stockpiling Orders Are Hurting Nursing Homes, Small Providers
More than eight months into the pandemic, stockpiling of masks and other protective equipment by wealthy hospital systems is straining nursing homes and smaller providers who also need precious protective gear to keep front-line workers safe from COVID-19.
Democrats Link GOP Challengers to Trump’s COVID Record, Efforts to Undo Obamacare
Democratic congressional candidates in California and beyond are linking their Republican opponents to the COVID-19 crisis and the survival of the Affordable Care Act, betting that health care could be a decisive issue for voters, especially in toss-up districts.
Haiku Winner Unmasked! Read If You Dare
Entries for our second annual Halloween Haiku Contest were downright spooky. And, based on a review by our panel of judges, here’s the winner and a sampling of finalists.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: As Cases Spike, White House Declares Pandemic Over
Former President Barack Obama says President Donald Trump is “jealous of COVID’s media coverage.” Indeed, Trump has complained at his rallies, attended by mostly maskless supporters, about how the media covers the pandemic — at a time when cases are rising rapidly across the nation. Meanwhile, open enrollment is about to begin for the Affordable Care Act in a year when many people need coverage, but the law’s future is not secure. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Anna Almendrala about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment.
Parsing Policy: De-Escalation Training; Gender-Affirming Care; ACA’s Impact
Opinion writers express views about the recent killing of a Black man struggling with mental illness; laws that could prevent mental health care for minors; contraception and the ACA; and more.
Black Man Shot, Killed In Philadelphia Needed Mental Health Help, Family Says
The mayor of Philadelphia imposed a citywide curfew Wednesday in response to waves of protests and unrest this week after Walter Wallace Jr., 27, was shot and killed Monday by police. Protesters say the shooting is making them rethink how they will vote in the presidential election.
Trump Administration Buys 300,000 Doses Of Eli Lilly’s COVID Treatment
The drug, a type of monoclonal antibody, is given by intravenous infusion and costs $1,250 per dose.
Biden Touts His COVID Plan: ‘We’ll Let Science Drive Our Decisions’
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is closing his campaign with an emphasis on how he will handle the coronavirus crisis. NPR reports on details of that plan.
In Upcoming Memoir, Obama Retells Battle For ACA, His Plan To Fight H1N1
“Legislation of this scope was guaranteed to involve hundreds of pages of endlessly fussed-over amendments and regulations,” the former president says in an excerpt released this week. The book, “A Promised Land,” comes out next month.
Trump Sticks With Pandemic-Is-Ending Message In Final Days Of Campaign
President Donald Trump continues in-person rallies in swing states and downplaying the state of the COVID crisis to voters. Meanwhile, the White House walks back a press release that falsely claimed Trump has ended the pandemic.
Women In Poland Join In Sixth Day Of Protests Over Abortion Ruling
Poland’s ban on abortion due to congenital abnormalities is not subject to appeal. Also, doctors can now refuse to prescribe contraception based on religious grounds. News on the pandemic is from the Czech Republic and Australia, as well.
‘Not In A Good Place’: 41 States Report 10% More Cases
The rising records of cases and hospitalizations make up “a bad recipe for a tough time ahead,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said. News is from Wisconsin, Maine, Massachusetts, New York and California.