Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Scientists Did Not Write Or Agree To Release Altered COVID Testing Guidance
Controversial guidelines saying asymptomatic people exposed to COVID-19 don’t need to get tested were crafted by HHS officials and did not go through CDC’s standard scientific review process. Memos obtained by The New York Times finds the policy change was published over objections from CDC scientists.
Farmers To Receive Additional $13B In Coronavirus Relief, Trump Says
President Donald Trump announced the second round of aid for farmers during a reelection rally in Wisconsin. More details are expected today. Other Trump campaign news covers drug importation and pricing, the United Nations and opioids.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Wildfires’ Toxic Air Leaves Damage Long After the Smoke Clears
As fires burn longer and closer to cities throughout the West, researchers are trying to understand the lasting health impacts by studying a Montana town previously smothered by wildfire smoke.
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Election Gift for Florida? Trump Poised to Approve Drug Imports From Canada
The Trump administration is primed to approve a plan designed to help lower costs of some prescription drugs by allowing states to import them from Canada. The announcement could come before Election Day, and Florida appears to be in line to go first.
In Face of COVID Threat, More Dialysis Patients Bring Treatment Home
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, more patients are administering dialysis to themselves at home rather than receiving it in a clinic. Although home dialysis limits exposure to the virus, it comes with its own challenges.
A Pandemic Upshot: Seniors Are Having Second Thoughts About Where to Live
More than 70,000 residents and staff members at nursing homes and assisted living facilities have died of COVID-19, and others are under strict rules designed to keep the disease from spreading. That has evoked concern that living in a communal facility could be dangerous.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: It’s Scandal Week
President Donald Trump this week issued a prescription drug pricing order unlikely to lower drug prices, and he contradicted comments by his director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the need for mask-wearing and predictions for vaccine availability. Meanwhile, scandals erupted at the CDC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration. And the number of people without health insurance grew in 2019, reported the Census Bureau, even while the economy soared. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Viewpoints: Pros, Cons Of Faster Vaccine Approval; Lessons On Living During Pandemic
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Different Takes: COVID And Heart Disease; Denial At The Top; And Help For The Vulnerable
Opinion experts weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Research Roundup: Antibiotics; Myocarditis; Convalescent Plasma; Seasonal Viruses; Staph Infections
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Financial Struggles: Low Occupancy Hits Connecticut Nursing Homes Hard
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and Michigan, as well.
Germany Gets Assurance From US Military About Taming Outbreak
Global news is from Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, France, England, Spain and South Africa.
Pedestrian Deaths Reach Crisis Levels
A new book looks at the causes of deaths that have jumped 46%. More public health news is on mosquito-borne viruses, blood pressure and other developments.
October Kickoffs: Big 10 Reverses Course On Football Season
Fans and President Donald Trump cheered on the decision to play. News is on cases among student-athletes at Penn State, the University of Florida and more.
Dementia Patients Dying At Higher Rates During Pandemic, Data Show
The Washington Post found that isolation measures were to blame. Physicians reported increased falls, pulmonary infections, depression and sudden frailty in recent months.
Drug Appears To Reduce COVID Patients’ Odds Of Ending Up In Hospital
Eli Lilly is developing the monoclonal antibody drug with biotechnology firm AbCellera.
2-Month-Old Baby In Michigan Dies From COVID
A hospital spokesman said the baby was the youngest person “we know to have passed due to COVID-19.” News is on double lung transplants, vaccinations, mental health, quarantines and more.
Hoverboarding Dentist Sentenced To 12 Years For Multiple Crimes
Seth Lookhart of Alaska was also ordered not to practice medicine during his 10-year probation once he’s released from prison, the Anchorage Daily News reported.