Latest KFF Health News Stories
Lawmakers Reject Notion Of ‘Skinny’ Bill As Stimulus Legislation Stalls
Little progress was made to bridge the vast differences between House and Senate proposals for the next round of coronavirus relief, though lawmakers did find common ground in dismissing White House officials’ push for a smaller, short-term bill.
Get the Data: Hollowed-Out Public Health System Faces More Cuts Amid Virus
We’re releasing our public health infrastructure data on Github for journalists, researchers and interested readers to use.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Missourians to Vote on Medicaid Expansion as Crisis Leaves Millions Without Insurance
Around the country, Medicaid enrollment is up as people who have lost jobs during the pandemic seek health insurance. Expanding eligibility for Missouri’s program, which could help thousands of recently unemployed residents, will be on the ballot Tuesday.
Medi-Cal Agency’s New Head Wants to Tackle Disparities and Racism
Will Lightbourne, the new director of the California Department of Health Care Services, says government must address the racial disparities laid bare by COVID-19 and improve care for the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Namaste Noir: Yoga Co-Op Seeks to Diversify Yoga to Heal Racialized Trauma
In dealing with her son’s violent murder, fear over the coronavirus pandemic and the stress of coping with systemic racism, Beverly Grant has found strength and peace through yoga. The Denver native is part of a yoga co-op seeking to bring the ancient practice to more diverse communities as a health care tool.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and others.
Different Takes: Best Ways To Get Control Of COVID; Worry About Vaccines Extends Beyond Anti-Vaxxers
Opinion writers weigh in on efforts that can be taken to safely reopen the nation and on other pandemic topics.
Pfizer Says Trump’s Drug-Pricing Orders Would Add To ‘Anxiety’
The drugmaker says it might reconsider plans to expand in the U.S. if the executive orders are implemented. Read about this and other pharmaceutical developments from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Time To Cut Costs; Trump’s Drug-Pricing Orders
Read recent commentaries about prescription drug issues.
Pan-Global Pandemic Update: European Leaders Warily Eye Second Wave
News from across the globe on how various countries continue to struggle with coronavirus outbreaks.
States Experiment With Methods To Halt Virus
States use cash as an inducement or a punishment to deal with the COVID epidemic, though finding funds is an increasingly dire problem. News also from Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts, Georgia and the Dakotas.
Hospital Industry Encouraged To Forgive Debts
A rural hospital chain goes bust while a big urban one reports higher profits. In other hospital industry news, the government won’t penalize hospitals that donate or sell unpaid bills to charities that pay off the debts.
Lab Researchers Force Coronavirus To Mutate — And Get Unsettling Results
The study, which has not yet been published in a scientific journal, found that the virus became invisible to disease-fighting antibodies. Other research and scientific news includes advances on antibodies, the latest tech, celebrity cancer therapy and antibiotics use.
Nonprofit Focused On Girls Finds Higher Rate Of Loneliness
The Rox Institute for Research & Training found adolescent girls also are uncertain about the future and spend too much time on social media. Mental health news looks at ways to help others, as well.
Pro Sports’ Reopenings Hit ‘Unfortunate’ Snags
With baseball players contracting COVID, games are postponed. But as of yet, no widespread calls are being made to end the experiment in reopening.
Stop Using Hand Sanitizers With Methanol, FDA Says
But the FDA says methanol doesn’t always appear on the label. Other public health news includes over-the-top hygiene practices, social bubbles, unpredictable recoveries, tons of call-in-sick days, and more.
Fighting Racism In Medicine, Mental Health, Environment
Media outlets report on news about discrimination faced by two Black pediatricians, mothers who become activists and a Black community concerned about growing health risks.
Mask Arguments Continue Despite Evidence
Labor unions representing transportation workers ask for a federal rule mandating passengers of buses, planes and trains wear masks. Meanwhile, some Americans continue to resist the idea.
School Reopening Plans Still A Jumble
It’s a crazy quilt of plans and rules as school districts try to get teaching back on track. The Trump administration is still pushing full in-person instruction. “The COVID-19 pandemic has stumped the brightest minds at universities,” says the Wall Street Journal.