Latest KFF Health News Stories
Wisconsin Leads States With Surging Cases; New York, New Jersey Prepare For Lockdowns
COVID-19 is already the third-leading cause of death in the United States, just behind heart disease and cancer, and far above the flu. And that’s before the fall wave that is now accelerating in at least 33 states.
Trump Says ‘I Feel So Good,’ Plans Public Rallies As Soon As This Weekend
In a series of interviews on Fox News, President Donald Trump says he feels “perfect” a week after his COVID-19 diagnosis. His physician said in a memo that Trump could safely “return to public engagements” on Saturday, though disease experts warn that it’s impossible to know if he is still contagious with the information publicly available.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Stigma Against D.O.s Had Been Dissipating Until Trump’s Doctor Took the Spotlight
Two types of licensed physicians exist in this country — M.D.s and D.O.s. Here’s what you need to know about the differences.
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
As Trump Touts His ‘Great’ COVID Drugs, the Pharma Cash Flows to Biden, Not Him
President Donald Trump has been heralding drugmakers as “great companies.” Yet in the final stretch of the presidential campaign, Trump is not feeling the love in pharma contributions. Former Vice President Joe Biden is, even though his proposed policies could dent the industry’s profitability.
Pandemic Erects Barriers for Prized Bloc of Voters in Nursing Homes, Senior Facilities
Voting is a point of pride for many older Americans, and senior living facilities in past years have encouraged the civic act by hosting voting precincts, providing transportation to the polls and bringing in groups to help explain election issues. But fears of the spread of the coronavirus among this vulnerable population make voting more difficult this year.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Trump vs. COVID
President Donald Trump is one of at least two dozen people tied to the White House who have tested positive for COVID-19. Negotiations on the next round of COVID relief are off again — maybe. And the FDA and CDC continue to fight for scientific credibility. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider and Erin Mershon of Stat News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog about what the Supreme Court might do with the latest case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
Job-Based Health Insurance Costs Are Up 4% This Year, 55% in Past Decade
A family plan costs, on average, more than $21,000 this year and workers pay nearly $5,600 toward that cost, the annual KFF survey of employers finds.
Viewpoints: Free Vaccine For All Is The Only Cure; Time To Reckon With Truths About Public Health
Editorial writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Research Roundup: COVID; Pneumonia; Psychosis; Appendicitis; Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
WHO: Spike In Stillbirths Likely In Developing World
Developments from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, and Italy and Germany, are in the news as well.
No More Frown: Updated Emoji Is Wearing A Mask And Smiling
Public health news also features SNL dropping country singer Morgan Wallen for partying without a mask, the flu vaccine, teen mental health and homelessness.
Wisconsin Sets Up Field Hospital As Cases Strain Hospitals
Media outlets report on news from Wisconsin, Nevada, California, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maryland, North Carolina, West Virginia and Georgia, as well.
Health Care Billionaires Got Even Richer From Pandemic, Report Finds
Their collective wealth went up 36% between April 7 and July 31. Health care stocks have surged this year and tend to rally when potential COVID-19 treatments or vaccines are announced.
PPE Problems, Shortages Persist As Health Care Workers Struggle
The FDA rebuked an Ohio company that makes mask decontamination devices, saying it skirted safety rules. In California, more than 3,000 nurses and health care workers in the Bay Area are on strike to protest unsafe working conditions. And a 28-year-old physician in Texas dies of COVID; her family says she had to wear the same N95 mask “for weeks and weeks, if not months and months.”
In Calls With Senators, Barrett Declines To Give Legal Views On Abortion, ACA
The nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court cited her need to maintain impartiality on the bench.
Editors At New England Journal Of Medicine Lambast Trump’s Failed Leadership
The editorial says the U.S. has failed at every step, criticizing President Donald Trump for a lack of policies that led to excess deaths, for undermining government agencies and attacking science.
No More Mr. Nice Guy: Trump, Biden Campaigns Again Will Let Insults Fly
Joe Biden’s campaign, which had paused all negative ads following Donald Trump’s COVID-19 hospitalization, says it will resume them. Meanwhile, the Trump campaign’s Facebook ads are altering images of Biden to make him look unhealthy.