Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘An Arm and a Leg’: She Tangled With Health Insurers for 25 Years — And Loved It
When people had a health insurance headache, these two words were a relief: “Call Barbara.” No problem was too big, or too small, she’d fix it.
With Schools Starting Online, Vaccinations Head for Recess
Traditionally, requirements that kids undergo certain immunizations before attending school have been a critical public health tool. Health officials are scrambling to make sure children don’t fall through the cracks.
Altered Mindsets: Marijuana Is Making Its Mark on Ballots in Red States
Voters in Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and several other conservative-leaning states will decide in November whether to legalize medical or recreational marijuana.
¿Puede este fin de semana de vacaciones disparar otra ola de casos de COVID?
El doctor Anthony Fauci advirtió el miércoles 2 de septiembre que los estadounidenses deben tener cuidado para evitar otro aumento en las tasas de infección.
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 CTE, typhus, the 1918 flu pandemic, garbage, parenting, school and more.
After 100 COVID-Free Days, Thailand Reports Positive Case
Global pandemic developments are also reported out of South Africa, Mexico and Venezuela.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
San Quentin Dentists Contributed To COVID Spread
California authorities shut down the prison’s dental clinic, citing its role in spreading coronavirus in the facility.
COVID Hits More States In A Big Way
COVID news from across the country, including about an FBI raid at a Pennsylvania nursing home.
Police Use Of ‘Spit Hoods’ Criticized After Man’s Suffocation in Rochester
Seven officers have been suspended after Wednesday’s release of the body camera footage that showed Rochester, New York, police putting a “spit hood” over a distressed black man’s head. The encounter happened in March after Daniel Prude, 41, left a hospital during a mental health crisis. He died.
State Auditors Team Up To Monitor COVID Data Reporting Accuracy
The state auditors will look at how health officials collect and report data about COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, in an effort to promote consistency.
COVID Fears Can’t Stop Standardized Tests, DeVos Says
In other education news: partying students force the State University of New York at Oneonta to cancel in-person classes; Democrats push for tobacco-free college campuses; and more.
Belly Fat Linked To Greater Prostate Cancer Death Risk, Study Finds
Other public health news covers “ultra-processed” food dangers, alcohol consumption’s impact on weight, home hair dye safety and Valley Fever.
It’s Too Soon To Genetically Alter Embryos, Panel Says Of ‘CRISPR Babies’
An international panel of experts, assembled in the aftermath of one scientist’s secret use of CRISPR to “edit” the DNA of a human embryo, offers guidelines for the gene modifying technology.
Roche Gets Emergency OK For Test That Tells Difference Between Flu, COVID
Other names in the news include Biofourmis, Oncorus and more.
Vaccine Timing And Candidates’ Health Become Election Issues
The timing of a vaccine announcement right before the election and the mental acuity of the candidates have emerged as the latest contentious issues in the presidential campaign.
Heart Inflammation And COVID Linked
A Penn State University doctor notes a high incidence of myocarditis among athletes who suffered with COVID-19, though it is not as high as the 30% that he initially stated.
CMS Updates Online Tools For Consumers Picking A Medicare Provider
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launches its new comparison platform, available on Medicare.gov, which consolidates eight tools in one spot.
Military Sites To Participate In Final Trials Of AstraZeneca’s Vaccine
The Pentagon reveals the five facilities that will participate in the Phase 3 trial.
Azar Says Election Timing Plays No Role In Vaccine Decisions
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told CBS This Morning that it is “very irresponsible how people are trying to politicize” coronavirus vaccine development.