Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘It Is A Really Dangerous Time’: Most States Battling Rapid COVID Surge
Public health experts say the next two months will be critical as a majority of U.S. states report spikes in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. In one hopeful piece of news: two studies find that coronavirus death rates are going down.
“Todo lo que quieres es que te crean”: el prejuicio inconciente en la atención de salud
Los latinos y los afroamericanos suelen ser menos propensos a recibir analgésicos o atención avanzada que los pacientes blancos no hispanos con las mismas quejas o síntomas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Bridging the Miles — And the Pandemic — Teledentistry Makes Some Dentists Wince
Teledentistry allows dentists to remotely review records and diagnose patients’ teeth over video. Some smile about its promise, while others see the potential for cutting corners. And it faces hurdles to widespread adoption.
‘All You Want Is to Be Believed’: The Impacts of Unconscious Bias in Health Care
One woman shares her experience trying to get care in a Bay Area hospital for COVID symptoms. At nearly every turn, a doctor dismissed her complaints. Is bias part of why people of color are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus?
Despite Pandemic Threat, Gubernatorial Hopefuls Avoid COVID Nitty-Gritty
As the pandemic continues to cast shadows on everyday life, some candidates for governor are talking about everything except the specifics of how they would manage COVID-19 into the future.
¿Pueden los pacientes de COVID tener el tratamiento de Trump? Está bien preguntar
Muchos pacientes desconocen estas opciones o simplemente no pueden, o no saben, cómo acceder a ellas. Otros desconfían de los tratamientos no probados.
Kodak Says It Will Make Drug Ingredients Despite Loan Snafu
In July, the company struck a $765 million deal with the federal government. However, it was put on hold after the Securities and Exchange Commission announced a probe into the handling of the deal.
For Hospitals, Normal Is A Long Way Off
With COVID cases once again surging, hospitals don’t expect to be back to normal until 2022. In other industry news, private equity-backed dermatology groups got COVID relief funds, and Cardinal Health shareholders are urged to void a huge bonus for the CEO.
Study Suggests Sick Leave Law Helps Reduce COVID Spread
The research in Health Affairs examined whether emergency sick-leave provisions provided in a coronavirus relief bill cut the number of reported new COVID-19 cases. News outlets also look at treatment options for the virus.
3 Digits To Remember In A Mental Health Crisis: Law Creates 988 Hotline
The Federal Communications Commission aims to have the hotline operational by July 2022. In related news, suicides among U.S. troops are rising and the pandemic continues to impact Americans’ mental health.
UK To Infect Healthy Volunteers In Risky Approach To Speed Up Vaccine Development
Imperial College London researchers developing a government-funded COVID-19 vaccine will start human challenge testing — a controversial method that deliberately exposes people to a virus.
National Security Leaders Self-Isolate After Possible COVID Exposure
CIA Director Gina Haspel, undersecretary of State for political affairs David Hale and national security adviser Robert O’Brien are among the officials who met with a Lebanese spymaster who has since tested positive for COVID-19, Politico reports.
Average Premiums Fall 2% On Federal ACA Marketplace
Federal officials say the cost of the benchmark plan will be down for the third year in a row when enrollment begins next month. Meanwhile, ProPublica looks at misleading social media ads for health insurance that isn’t comprehensive.
Rural Hospitals Flooding With COVID Cases In Fall’s New Hot Spots
Many smaller and more remote medical centers are becoming overwhelmed as the outbreak’s “third wave” starts to swamp rural communities. Nursing homes eye the trend warily, as well.
Viewpoints: Obamacare’s Future; Supreme Court Impact On Health Care; And Medicare
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and more.
Perspectives: Dangers Of ‘Herd Immunity’ Strategy; Battling COVID Fatigue; Safe Vaccine Needed
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
‘Strong Recommendation’ From CDC To Wear Masks On Planes, Trains, Buses
“Local transmission can grow quickly into interstate and international transmission when infected persons travel on public conveyances without wearing a mask and with others who are not wearing masks,” the agency said in a statement Monday. In related news, a government watchdog will look into whether the Trump administration interfered at the CDC and FDA.
COVID-19 Outbreak At Kansas Nursing Home Claims 10 Residents’ Lives
All 62 residents of the Andbe Home in Norton, Kansas, tested positive for the virus. News from around the country also comes from Vermont, New Jersey, Oregon, Michigan and New York.
US Border With Mexico And Canada Closed Until Nov. 21
The extension of the border closure was in response to rising COVID-19 cases. International news also highlights a top Palestinian leader in critical condition with the virus; child labor in the cocoa industry; and the Quebec town of Asbestos is renamed.