Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Deaths Rose 20% In July With 25,000 American Lives Lost

Morning Briefing

While new cases dipping give reason for cautious optimism, the fatality rate from COVID-19 maintained grim levels. A new model forecasts that the U.S. could pass 180,000 deaths this month.

Birx Warns Of Pandemic’s ‘New Phase,’ Advises More Caution From Americans

Morning Briefing

“I want to be very clear: What we are seeing today is different from March and April,” Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, said during a CNN interview. “It is extraordinarily widespread. This epidemic right now is different … and it’s both rural and urban.”

Hospital Merger in Washington State Stokes Fears About Catholic Limits on Care

KFF Health News Original

Virginia Mason Health System and CHI Franciscan announced plans in July to merge 12 hospitals and more than 250 other treatment sites in the Puget Sound region and the Yakima area. Some patient advocacy groups warn the proposal would jeopardize access to needed services, such as emergency termination of pregnancies, contraception and physician aid in dying.

Forced Sports Timeout Puts Squeeze on College Coffers, Scholarships and Towns

KFF Health News Original

Sports events — with their sprays of sweat and spit, not to mention large crowds — are ideal settings for the coronavirus to spread. Although some college leagues have canceled their fall seasons, schools with big athletic programs are still hoping for a partial return to the gridiron and the hardwood.

Travel To China, Italy And Iran Fueled Start Of Pandemic, Research Shows

Morning Briefing

Nearly two-thirds of the first confirmed patients in each affected country outside of China had traveled to those places, the findings show. Global pandemic developments are also reported out of Europe, Hong Kong, Brazil, Poland, Russia and the Philippines.

Social Distancing Around The World Pushes Flu Rates To Record Low

Morning Briefing

In China, new reports of mumps, measles and some sexually transmitted diseases have also fallen off. In other public health news: turning the Diamond Princess’ outbreak into a case study; research on ventilation systems; the impact of air conditioning; West Nile virus in Austin; and more.

Double Lung Transplants Saving Lives Of COVID Patients

Morning Briefing

Performing the surgery, normally reserved for otherwise strong people with irreversible lung damage, is a ”paradigm change” for COVID patients, says Dr. Ankit Bharat. Several patients have received them.

Can Safety In Schools Be Guaranteed?

Morning Briefing

President Donald Trump replies: “Can you assure anybody of anything?” Meanwhile, parents worry about their children falling behind without in-class instruction, especially parents of special-needs children.

Attention Focused On Distribution Of COVID Vaccines

Morning Briefing

As drugmakers race to develop a vaccine, exactly how those vaccines will be manufactured and delivered to Americans is also being planned. In other vaccine news: Johnson & Johnson moves to human trials of its vaccine. And a Moderna board member resigns.