Latest KFF Health News Stories
And Another Departure: HHS CIO Resigns
The Department of Health and Human Services’ chief information officer, José Arrieta, will leave the agency at the end of the month. Arrieta’s team is responsible for the controversial migration of COVID-19 hospital data from CDC to HHS.
Pentagon Proposes $2.2 Billion In Cuts That Could Gut Military Health Care
Defense Secretary Mike Esper’s budget-slashing efforts put health care services provided to veterans and active service members in the crosshairs. And an internal Pentagon report finds that not enough mental health care is being provided to its troops.
170,000 People In US Have Died From COVID-19
As the nation passes that tragic mark — with a lack of collective mourning that could be damaging, mental health experts say — new confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. hit the lowest daily level since June.
FDA Signs Off On Fast, Inexpensive Saliva Test
FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn called the development ”groundbreaking.” The test is also much less intrusive test than the nasal test.
Two Top CDC Officials Appointed By Trump Quit Agency
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s chief of staff and deputy chief of staff resigned to start their own consulting firm.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘Pennie’-Pinching States Take Over Obamacare Exchanges From Feds
Pennsylvania and New Jersey are leaving the federal marketplace this fall to save money and will start their own insurance exchanges. Kentucky, New Mexico, Virginia and Maine are looking to join them in 2021 or beyond.
Trust, Fear and Solidarity Will Determine the Success of a COVID Vaccine
Polio terrified Americans, and in 1955, when Jonas Salk’s vaccine became available, they snapped it up like candy. Sixty-five years later, COVID is the latest dread virus, but many undercurrents could inhibit its acceptance.
With COVID Vaccine Trial, Rural Oregon Clinic Steps Onto World Stage
A small allergy clinic in Medford, Oregon, might seem an unlikely place to recruit hundreds of volunteers to test the Moderna vaccine against COVID-19. But its steward has a record of leading hundreds of clinical trials.
PPE Shortage Could Last Years Without Strategic Plan, Experts Warn
The rolling shortages of personal protective gear continue even in hospitals, as buyers look directly for manufacturers — often through a maze of companies that have sprung up overnight.
Opinion writers weigh in on how to help end the pandemic and other health issues.
Perspectives: Congress, We’re All Tired, So Forget Recess; Debate About College Football Is Insane
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
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 children’s mental health, the New York City subway, quarantine envy, poverty, AIDS quilts, Kamala Harris, former NFL player Josh Morgan and more.
Sun Belt States See Uptick In Nursing Home Deaths; Texas Limits Visits At Care Facilities
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Georgia, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho and Hawaii.
Global news is from New Zealand, North Korea, South Korea, England, Belgium, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco and others, as well.
NCAA Doctors Express Dismay About Football Conferences’ Plans To Play
In other news, the NCAA canceled all Division 1 fall championships and Joe Montana says he would have opted not to play.
Study: Newborns With More Body Fat At Higher Risk Of Childhood Obesity
In other public health news: wildfires in the West, the opioid epidemic, psoriasis drugs, plant-based meat alternatives and more.
False Claims About COVID, Conspiracy Theories Hinder Latinos’ Medical Care
According to the CDC, Hispanics in the U.S. are four times more likely than non-Hispanic white people to be hospitalized because of COVID-19. In other public health news: why was no one ready for COVID-19?; a lung transplant survivor tells her tale; and more.
Schools: Idaho Looks To Take Away Local Districts’ Authority; Wyoming Teachers’ Tests
Schools news is from Idaho, Wyoming, Oklahoma, New York, California, Texas, Massachusetts and other states, as well.
‘We’ve Got To Pull Together,’ Fauci Tells Matthew McConaughey In Instagram Interview
The Oscar winner peppered the infectious disease specialist with questions during a 40-minute talk. In other public health news: the FDA issues another alert about hand sanitizers; this year’s 9/11 memorial won’t include the beams of light; and more.