Latest KFF Health News Stories
Nevada Slashes Health, School Budgets; States Ponder More Shutdowns
Calls for Florida to shut down and California’s problems do not abate. And other COVID news from across the country is less than rosy.
Sports Teams’ Dilemma: Money or Health
Sports organizations on all levels continue to struggle with the COVID epidemic, not so much with testing, but with whether to start making money even though it risks the health of players.
Texas AG Tells Religious Schools It’s OK To Ignore Reopening Ban
Local health officials barred in-person school reopenings until after Labor Day. Other news on schools is from Wisconsin and Arizona, and looks at former Vice President Joe Biden’s plans for schools, as well.
Trump Administration Says No To CDC Director Testifying Before House Panel On Schools
In other news, the House coronavirus committee wants to hear from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos about the administration’s threat to cut funding from public schools that don’t fully reopen.
Doctors Puzzled By Drop In Preemie Births During Lockdowns
Several countries independently reported the findings, prompting the call for further research. Public health news is on a doctor’s dismay at non mask wearers, public transportation, open bars, and protection for workers, also.
Atlanta Mayor Defends Mask Order That Georgia Governor Is Fighting
News about mask debates and mandates comes from Georgia, Mississippi, Michigan, Maryland and elsewhere.
Teens ‘Improvising’ On Condoms, Contraceptives, Pediatrician Says
New guidelines published Monday call for easier access. More public health news is on pregnancy, cancer, West Nile virus, and, oh, yes, trench fever.
Study: Kids 10 And Older Spread COVID As Effectively As Adults
The data out of South Korea adds yet another complexity to the difficult decision of whether to open schools. Also, more than 80 infants test positive in one Texas county.
Just Kidding! 113 Rhode Islanders Got False Positives For COVID
Also in the news: why a COVID test is like a pregnancy test; scientists discover six different types of the disease; and the question of who should pay the tab for testing.
With Jobless Benefits Set To Expire, Congress Tackles More Pandemic Aid
The next coronavirus stimulus package tops the agenda for congressional lawmakers trying to negotiate thorny issues like joblessness, state financial assistance and business liability.
Quest Wins First FDA Approval To Conduct ‘Pooled’ COVID Testing
In an effort to increase testing capacity, Quest Diagnostics will now be allowed to “pool” up to four samples together. If the group comes back positive, samples will be tested individually.
White House Aims To Cut Funds For Testing, CDC, NIH In Next Relief Package
In other news about testing and the administration: California Gov. Gavin Newsom was reportedly told to appeal directly to President Donald Trump and to thank him if Newsom wanted help in getting more testing swabs. And Colorado’s governor calls the national testing situation a “complete disgrace.”
Russia Tries To Distance Itself From Cyberattack Allegations
“I don’t believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it,” Andrey Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to Britain, told the BBC of claims from the U.S., Britain and Canada that Russian hackers are targeting coronavirus treatment and vaccine research.
Drugmaker Touts Trial Results Of Potential Coronavirus Treatment
British pharmaceutical company Synairgen says its nebulizer treatment produced a 79% lower risk of COVID-19 patients developing a severe form of the disease than those given a placebo in initial trials. Other drug trial news related to hydroxychloroquine is also reported.
Medical-Device Industry On The Rebound During Pandemic
Profits look stronger for medical device makers. In other research news: Does the flu linger in the air, too?
Amazon Primed To Move Further Into Health Care
Amazon is opening primary-care clinics for some employees; and in a grab bag of health industry news, lawsuits and delayed leadership changes.
CMS To Resume Audits Of Medicare Claims
Postponed because of the COVID crisis, audits of health care providers’ Medicare claims will resume.
Appeals Court Rules On HHS Payment Cuts, Expanding Short-Term Health Plans
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that HHS’ payment cuts to hospitals’ off-site outpatient departments were legal. The D.C. court also upheld the Trump administration’s controversial expansion of short-term, limited-duration health plans.
Trump Describes ‘Good’ Relationship With Fauci While Calling Out ‘Mistakes’
“He’s a little bit of an alarmist — that’s OK,” President Donald Trump said of his top infectious disease expert. Despite recent criticisms from a few fellow administration officials, Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to urge Americans to take more precautions to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump Plays Down Health Impact Of Virus, Again Predicts It Will ‘Disappear’
In a wide-ranging Fox News interview, President Donald Trump continued to blame testing as to why the U.S. leads the world in coronavirus stats. “Many of those cases shouldn’t even be cases,” he said. He also said he’d leave the decision on mask mandates to state governors.