Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Targets Redo Of ‘Inaccurate’ Hospital Payments
The current method is flawed, some analysts say, leading to a pay gap between low- and high-wage hospitals. Also, Democrats say older voters will be unhappy with President Donald Trump’s order to end the payroll tax.
Russia Approves COVID Vaccine Before Final Trials Complete
While many global experts question the safety of the vaccine, Russian President Vladimir Putin says that one of his daughters has been inoculated.
US Citizens, Residents Returning From Mexico Could Be Blocked At The Border
The Trump administration is considering unprecedented travel restrictions that would empower border agents to restrict reentry to U.S. citizens and permanent residents due to virus concerns. It’s unclear if it has the legal authority to ban citizens from entering their own country.
Strapped States Struggle To Afford Trump’s Order; Stimulus Talks Stalled
Governors scramble to figure out how to deliver their 25% share of the $400-a-week jobless benefit included in President Donald Trump’s executive order. Meanwhile, negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House remain at an impasse.
20 Million And Counting: Global Confirmed Cases Climb
The worldwide death count also edges near 750,000. After the surge of the last two months, new cases in the U.S. are starting to trend downward, though.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Public Health Officials Are Quitting or Getting Fired in Throes of Pandemic
A review by KHN and the Associated Press finds at least 49 state and local public health leaders have resigned, retired or been fired since April across 23 states. One of the latest departures came Sunday, when California’s public health director was ousted.
Amid COVID Chaos, California Legislators Fight for Major Health Care Bills
There’s less time, less attention and fewer resources this year, but that isn’t stopping lawmakers from acting on controversial health care legislation not directly related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Behind The Byline: The Count — And the Toll
Check out KHN’s video series Behind the Byline: How the Story Got Made. Come along as journalists and producers offer an insider’s view of health care coverage that does not quit.
Exclusive: Over 900 Health Workers Have Died of COVID-19. And the Toll Is Rising.
KHN and The Guardian unveil an interactive database documenting front-line health care worker deaths. The majority of them are people of color — and nurses face the highest toll.
“Lost on the Frontline” is an ongoing project by Kaiser Health News and The Guardian that aims to document the lives of health care workers in the U.S. who died from COVID 19, and to investigate why so many are victims of the disease.
Trabajadores agrícolas en alto riesgo de contraer coronavirus y sin protección federal
Viven hacinados, durmiendo en literas y compartiendo baños y cocinas. Y aunque son trabajadores esenciales, suelen no tener seguro médico o licencia paga por enfermedad.
Viewpoints: Beware A Dual Whammy From COVID, Flu; Pros, Cons Of Recent Executive Orders
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
News is from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana and Arkansas.
Global Updates: New Zealand Goes 100 Days Without A Local Transmission
Media outlets report on news from Australia, England, Italy, Spain, Brazil and North Korea, as well.
Different Takes: COVID Is Here To Stay, So Get Children Back In Classrooms
Editorial pages focus on ways to safely return children to classrooms and health care topics, as well.
California’s Public Health Chief Quits As State Struggles With Data Glitch
State officials are coping with a backlog of lab reports that could cause a spike in new cases. Also: Some advocates want more California inmates freed from prison — even those doing time for murder.
Dying Without Care: Opioid Deaths Expected To Surge
Centers offering treatment for opioid dependency struggle during the pandemic. Public health news is on septicemic plague, dangerous heat waves and more.
Mississippi Moves Jury Trials To Auditorium; Michigan Extends Emergency
Media outlets report on news from Mississippi, Michigan, Montana and Texas.
College Football In Disarray As Some Universities Say Yes, Others Say No
Leaders from the “Power Five” conferences met this weekend following the Mid-American Conference’s announcement it wouldn’t play any sports this fall.