Latest KFF Health News Stories
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Kamala Harris on Health
The Democratic presidential ticket is complete, with Joe Biden’s selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. Health has not been a major issue for Harris, whose career priority has been the criminal justice system. But expect Republicans to pounce on her on-again, off-again support for “Medicare for All.” Meanwhile, with Congress still in a stalemate over another round of COVID-19 relief, President Donald Trump is trying to use his executive power to do what lawmakers have not — with mixed success. Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Mary Agnes Carey of KHN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic priorities and other health issues.
Research Roundup: COVID Antibodies; Malaria; Autism; Lymphoma; Gonorrhea
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Find Smart, Safe Ways Around Lockdowns; Lessons On Changes For Higher Ed From COVID
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and other health issues.
For NFL, Keeping Teams Safe From COVID Is Hard To Tackle
Meanwhile, college basketball teams consider using the NBA’s “bubble” approach. In other news, collegiate runners fight back against body shaming and abuse.
New Zealand Tightens Restrictions; Germany Optimistic About Vaccine
Global news reports come from New Zealand, Germany, Brazil, China, Spain, England, Mumbai, Mexico, France, Lebanon and other nations.
Report Questions Method of Trump Administration’s Mask Giveaway
In other developments: a Florida sheriff bans masks for deputies; Illinois makes it a felony to assault a worker trying to enforce a mask requirement; an Arizona man has a tantrum; grocery workers say morale is extremely low; and more.
‘Structural Racism’: Diverse Counties Much Harder Hit Than White Ones
Counties that were more than 93% white reported the lowest rate of COVID-19 infections. Public health news is on one man’s fearful account, dying young, megachurch gatherings, and more.
FDA Recalls Some Potatoes, Citrus Fruits Due To Listeria Concerns
Also in public health news: an album of children’s music for kids who identify as transgender and nonbinary; disparities in childbirth complications for black mothers in New York; and rabies found at the Grand Canyon.
Good News In The Battle Against Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Death rates are falling faster than new cases are arising, a new study finds. Also: racial bias in surgeries; and how your movement may determine whether you’re a night owl.
Schools Off To Rocky Start As More Than 2,000 Quarantined In 5 States
As school boards across the country struggle with reopening plans, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Indiana, Seattle and elsewhere offer some details. And a judge clears the way for the Education Department’s new Title IX rule to take effect Friday.
Can You Get Coronavirus Twice? China Reports Reinfected Patient
Scientists investigate COVID-19’s mysteries such as how long antibodies protect, the range of longer-term damage to victims and why some infected people get sicker than others.
Gilead, Maker Of Remdesivir, Criticized As ‘Taking Advantage Of The Situation’
Other pharmaceutical news is on orphan drugs, ALS trials, Theranos and more.
Sentara Healthcare, Cone Health Joining To Create 17-Hospital System
Other health industry news is on Georgia’s insurance exchange, jobs in the Houston health care sector and the fate of telemedicine.
Medicare Eyes Coverage Changes For Artificial Hearts
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced changes to how it determines which beneficiaries’ artificial hearts Medicare will pay for.
Latest On Vaccines: Global Trials, Concerns For Patients Who Are Obese
Large-scale testing is underway in parts of California and Oregon. Other news on vaccines is on concerns about effectiveness in people who are obese, kids missing routine vaccines and anti-vaxxers’ social media campaigns.
Stimulus Impasse May Drag Into September As Trump Says Deal Is ‘Not Going To Happen’
No progress toward reaching an agreement on a broad coronavirus relief package was made Wednesday, despite a phone call between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Harris’ Shifting Position On ‘Medicare For All’ In Spotlight
As Sen. Kamala Harris joins the ticket with presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, news outlets round up her positions on health care policies.
US Cases Are Down: Is That Because Of Good Progress Or Bad Data?
Testing is declining, calling the numbers into question, according to a CNBC analysis. In related news, 30 current and former members of a federal advisory panel raise alarms about the integrity of COVID-19 data hospitals are now reporting to HHS instead of the CDC. News outlets report on the system’s bumpy start.
“For your country right now and for the war that we’re in against COVID, I’m asking you to do four simple things: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and be smart about crowds,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.