Latest KFF Health News Stories
Republican Convention, Day 4: Fireworks … and Shining a Light on Trump’s Claims
Donald Trump accepted his party’s nomination to seek reelection for a second term as president in front of a partisan audience that appeared to largely lack masks and opt against social distancing.
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, mental illness, Obamacare, pregnancy, parenting, marriage and more.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
Amazon Moves Further Into Health Industry
The giant retailer and data company revealed a wearable device, called Halo, that collects personal health-related and physical fitness data.
How The States Are Faring: Contract Tracing Probe, Closure Of Bars
Media outlets report news from Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Michigan and Georgia.
British Ad Campaign Will Urge Workers To Head Back To The Office
A survey earlier this month found that about 40 percent of people in Britain said they were working remotely. In other coronavirus news around the world, Japan is securing rights to any successful vaccine to make sure it can host the Olympics next summer. Also in the news, Japan’s prime minister announces he will resign for health reasons.
Six Feet Apart: New Research Suggests It Might Not Be Protective
An analysis published in BMJ says 6 feet apart is just a starting point. Research news is on blood plasma, antibody tests and more.
Peach Recall Expanded After More Salmonella Cases Surface
More than a dozen companies including Aldi, Food Lion, Hannaford, Kroger, Target, Walmart, Wegmans and Russ Davis Wholesale have recalled the fruit. Public health news is on breast cancer screenings and an obituary of a popular Ground Zero volunteer.
The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University explores the pandemic’s impact on America’s homeless population.
Contested Anti-Malarial Drug Used In Nursing Homes, Inspectors Find
Democratic senators sent a letter to federal agencies asking what’s been done to stop unproven treatment, citing the state inspector general reports that found use in at least two nursing homes.
Add Concerns About Legionnaires’ Disease To Schools’ New Assignments
School officials in Ohio and Pennsylvania have found the bacteria that causes the disease in nine schools. It can form in stagnant water, including systems in unused buildings. Also in the news are developments about COVID protections for schools in New York, Maryland, Georgia, Virginia and Kansas.
Mass. Governor Blames Bachelorette Party In Rhode Island For Sickening 19 People
Gov. Charlie Baker reported the episode as he talked about how “unmanaged” social events are helping to drive the spread of the pandemic. In other news, Delta says it is serious about wearing masks on planes and has added 240 people to its “no-fly” list because they refused.
D.C. Weighs Reshuffling Coverage For Medicaid Patients
The plan, designed to help Washington, D.C., save money, would place about 100,000 patients this fall onto new health-care plans, some of which do not cover the patients’ current doctors. Meanwhile, state officials in Georgia say they may need $400 million next year because of expected increases in Medicaid expenses.
Senators Elected In 2014 On Wave Of ACA Protests Face Potential Whiplash
Republicans who swept to victory in Senate races then are up for reelection and the public is now more comfortable with the law.
Pandemic Takes A Back Seat At Republican Convention
Few speakers at the convention talked about the virus, yet more than 42,000 new cases were reported Wednesday and 2,700 people have died since the beginning of the week.
‘Tragic Impasse’: Pelosi, Meadows Make No Progress In First Relief Bill Talk Since Executive Orders
Negotiations between House Democrats and the White House on another coronavirus stimulus package remain stalled with both sides entrenched about $1 trillion apart.
Administration Considers Collecting Contact Info On Incoming Travelers
Under the proposal, anyone coming into the country — including Americans — would hand over phone numbers and email addresses for possible contact tracing, NBC is reporting. Also in the news, Senate Democrats raise concerns about coronavirus spread in the military.
US Set To Buy 150 Million Rapid COVID Tests From Abbott Labs
The White House announced plans on Thursday for the $750 million purchase. President Donald Trump also claimed on Thursday that a vaccine would be available by the end of the year.
Backlash Prompts CDC Director To Soften New Testing Guidance
In his latest statement, CDC Director Robert Redfield said “all close contacts of confirmed or probable COVID-19 patients” can consider testing. A lack of evidence and potential politics behind the abrupt change — advising exposed people not to get tested if asymptomatic — sparked harsh questions from scientists and lawmakers.
Hurricane Laura’s Wake: Chemical Fire And Fears Of Virus Super-Spreading
The fire erupted at a chlorine production plant near Lake Charles, Louisiana. Meanwhile, experts worry that mass evacuations may result in another wave of virus infections.