Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida COVID Count Leapfrogs New York, Second Only To California
Over 400,000 coronavirus cases are confirmed by Florida. Media outlets look at how the crisis devolved so quickly in the Sunshine State.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘It’s About Love and Solidarity’: Mutual Aid Unites NYC Neighbors Facing COVID
Mutual aid groups, in which volunteers give their time and resources to help others in the community, are seeing a resurgence in New York with the coronavirus pandemic.
Employers Require COVID Liability Waivers as Conflict Mounts Over Workplace Safety
While Congress negotiates liability protection for reopening businesses as part of its latest pandemic bailout package, some employers are already requiring workers to sign waivers agreeing not to sue if they get COVID-19 on the job.
The Color of COVID: Will Vaccine Trials Reflect America’s Diversity?
Although racial minorities, older people and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk from COVID-19, they’ve historically been the least likely to be included in clinical trials for treatments for serious diseases. Will that change with COVID-19?
Last Thing Patients Need During Pandemic: Being Last to Know a Doctor Left Network
Health plan network changes occur all the time as doctors retire, relocate or leave networks. Unfortunately, patients may be the last to find out about such changes because there are often few requirements that either providers or insurers inform them.
Must-Reads of the Week From Lauren Olsen
Newsletter editor Lauren Olsen wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on postal workers, wildfires, hunger, RBG, families and parenting, and COVID-19.
Editorial pages focus on health care workers, masks, the Trump administration’s response and these other pandemic issues.
Viewpoints: The Pain Of Health Care Expenses; An ADA Anniversary In The Era Of Trump
Get a sampling of opinion and analysis of other health care issues.
More States Applying COVID Restrictions
News on the pandemic from across the country, with several states restricting gatherings and some businesses where the virus is apt to spread widely.
A Sea Of Blue Tarps As Another Hurricane Season Begins In Puerto Rico
Almost three years after Hurricane Maria, tens of thousands of homes in Puerto Rico are still uninhabitable. Meanwhile, in news from other countries: Mexico investigates price-fixing for medical oxygen; Israel battles a second wave of the virus; and Tokyo trades the summer Olympics for a spike in COVID cases.
Cash-Strapped States Misuse Funds Targeted To End Poverty
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, known as TANF, has been used by many states to help pay for programs that have little to do with moving poor people into the workforce, Stateline reports. Other outlets look at the president’s power to change the federal health law, technology problems for seniors and COVID-19’s effect on detention centers and prisons.
Racial Disparities In The Air We Breathe
Vehicular air pollution affects people who live near major highways, and they tend to be people of color.
Concerns About Spread Of COVID Tempers Heat Relief Efforts
Keeping in mind that the coronavirus that can spread indoors, cities and relief organizations are adjusting how they keep people safe in the sweltering summer heat. Also in news on public health, a look at mental health apps, weapons used against protesters, vaccination rates and children’s brain development.
Study Finds Live Virus In Throat Swabs Up To 15 Days After Symptom Onset
The small study was performed on just five infected patients in South Korea who were hospitalized in February and March. In other research news, scientists have developed a synthetic biosensor that could monitor lung disease patients’ response to therapy.
Girl, 9, Is Youngest To Die Of COVID In Fla., Didn’t Have Underlying Illness
In other public health news related to the coronavirus: chronic health risk for U.S. adults; safety at the library; how to skip your friend’s party; and the Virginia state fair.
Trump Concedes That Some School Districts May Need To Delay Opening
President Donald Trump still maintained, however, that “every district should be actively making preparations to open.” Also in the news: “learning hubs” for students in San Francisco and parents consider holding kindergarteners back a year.
Advances — And Obstacles — Mark Path To Possible Vaccines
Moderna loses a patent court case that could delay its COVID-19 vaccine while a China-owned pharmaceutical group and Imperial College London announce progress on their versions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s $2 billion “Operation Warp Speed” deal with Pfizer raises concerns about vaccine prices.
Trump Expected To Sign Executive Order On Drug Prices
Reporters weren’t given details of an executive order the president is expected to sign Friday afternoon, but speculation has it that the order will attempt to reduce some U.S. drug prices by linking them to the lower prices paid in other countries. Also news on opioids.