Latest KFF Health News Stories
Another Congressman Contracts COVID
Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Illinois) announced he tested positive. Davis had made more of an effort than many other Republican Congress members to wear a mask, reports Politico.
Facebook, Twitter Pull Trump Video For Spreading Bad COVID Information
President Donald Trump’s post linked to a Fox News interview in which he claims kids are “virtually immune” to the coronavirus. Facebook said that the “video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation.”
If Trump Takes Executive Action, Orders Would Focus On Evictions, Payroll Taxes, Jobless Money
White House negotiators signaled that President Donald Trump is prepared to act unilaterally through executive orders if a deal is not reached with lawmakers by the end of this week.
Birx Tells Local Officials In 9 Cities To ‘Get On Top’ Of Virus Surge Risk
Task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx cites coronavirus numbers ticking up in 9 cities and California’s Central Valley as areas for concern. Meanwhile, comments by Dr. Anthony Fauci and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro also make headlines.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Health Care Workers of Color Nearly Twice as Likely as Whites to Get COVID-19
Harvard research shows minorities are most likely to report inadequate PPE and to work with COVID-positive patients.
America’s Obesity Epidemic Threatens Effectiveness of Any COVID Vaccine
Vaccines engineered to protect the public from influenza, hepatitis B, tetanus and rabies are less effective for obese people, leaving them more vulnerable to serious illness. As scientists race to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, experts say obesity could prove an impediment — a sobering prospect for a nation in which nearly half of all adults are obese.
With Caveats, Hopeful News for Preschools Planning Young Kids’ Return
Hundreds of thousands of essential workers have kept their kids in day care during the pandemic out of necessity and, so far, these centers haven’t been big disease spreaders. But the evidence remains incomplete.
Missouri Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion Despite GOP Resistance
Missouri is the sixth state to use a ballot initiative to extend Medicaid eligibility. Most of the remaining states that have not expanded Medicaid are Republican-leaning states in the South.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care issues and others.
Different Takes: CDC Guidelines On Opening Schools Misses Key Strategy; Masks Can’t Save The Day
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Fertility Patient Wrestles With Unclear Prices, Surprise Bills
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Insulin, Trump Hype, US Drug-Pricing System
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
How Other Countries Are Faring Against COVID
A small outbreak in Hong Kong, a lockdown in hipster Melbourne and doubts in Mexico City are among reports from around the world.
Relief Funds Flowed To Nursing Home Providers Accused Of Fraud, Misdeeds
A Washington Post analysis of coronavirus relief money distribution finds that hundreds of millions of dollars went to dozens of nursing home companies that settled recent lawsuits with the Justice Department over alleged improper Medicare billing, forged documents, substandard care and other abuses.
Who Is Making More Money During The Pandemic?
Earning reports from publicly traded companies reveal the pandemic’s uneven effect on insurance, health care and health tech companies.
Vegas Becomes Latest Hot Spot; N.Y., N.J., Conn. Update Quarantines For Travelers
Media outlets report from Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Texas, Oklahoma, and elsewhere.
Embattled New York City Health Chief Resigns
Oxiris Barbot had been relegated to a near-invisible status after a feud with Mayor Bill de Blasio. In other news: Dr. Leon McDougle is appointed president of the National Medical Association; home health care workers say their struggles have been overlooked during the pandemic.
Marijuana’s Health Benefits Questioned
The Food and Drug Administration moves closer to establishing regulations for cannabidiol; The American Heart Association says any cannabis product is not good for the circulatory system.
Novavax Releases Encouraging COVID Vaccine Results From Early Studies
The biotech company announced its experimental vaccine yielded promising immune response in a small preliminary human trial, though it came with a high rate of mostly mild side effects.