Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Opinion pages focus on these public health topics and others.
Global news is on China, India, Algeria, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Rwanda, Serbia, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, Uruguay, England, Ireland, Wales and Philippines, as well.
Pandemic Accelerated Problems Of Economic Disparities, Stretching Racial Wealth Gap
The coronavirus pandemic “in some ways the extreme inequality was the preexisting condition,” said Chuck Collins, the co-author of an analysis of the disparities. News outlets also look at a variety of repercussions of the recent deaths of Black Americans in police custody and protests calling for a change in how police departments operate.
Media outlets report on news from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, Maine, Texas, Georgia, and Wisconsin, as well.
New Studies Detail Nearly 300 Cases Of Kids With COVID-Related Inflammatory Syndrome
Most recovered from the condition, known as MIS-C, but the long-term effects are still unknown.
News outlets also report on how people are following the coronavirus epidemic through online tools such as the one offered by Johns Hopkins, and on Britain’s missteps in testing and tracing the virus.
What’s Summer Without Fear Of Bed Bugs? Many Are Likely To Find Out By Not Traveling
The New York Times writes about a silver lining for families who take staycations: no worries about visiting hotels and bringing home bed bugs. Public health news is on menopause, heat-related deaths, and infections, as well.
Pediatrics Group Says Kids Should Go Back To School
In other public health news, San Quentin State Prison in California continues to be a COVID-19 hot spot, the latest on the virus’s mutation and detailing the pandemic’s heartbreaks and inspirations. And what about the changing risk calculations about elective surgeries and even air travel?
Insurers Agree To Settlements In Alleged Data Breach, Billing Scheme
In other news: A hospital exec is charged in an alleged lab-billing scam; Michigan’s 10 top hospital systems win COVID-19 relief grant funds; Trinity Health forecasts $2 billion less in operating revenue in fiscal 2021.
Grassley Says Talks On Drug Pricing Bill Are Broken, Pledges To Push GOP Bill Through Senate
The Iowa senator’s comments could signal that there is little chance for a bill this year that would rein in drug prices, a policy that voters have expressed keen interest in.
House Passes Bill To Expand ACA But Republican Senate Unlikely To Follow
Although House leaders know the Senate is unlikely to take up the bill, Democrats said the effort will provide them a potent issue for the fall campaign.
New FDA Website Offers Cancer Patients A Tool To Find Information About Clinical Trials
Project Patient Voice provides reports that researchers collect during surveys of patients. The material generally isn’t included in official drug labeling. It does not include, however, demographic information. Also, the Food and Drug Administration schedules a public meeting on the issue of improving its technology.
Supreme Court Knocks Down Louisiana Abortion Law In Case Likely To Roil Fall Elections
In a 5-4 ruling, the justices said that a Louisiana law requiring doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital is an unconstitutional burden on a woman’s right to the procedure. It was the first — but not the last — opportunity for a Supreme Court with a majority of anti-abortion justices to roll back abortion rights. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the majority in striking down the law, a role he has played in several high-profile decisions this month.
Oklahoma Voters To Decide Fate Of Medicaid Expansion
Residents head to the polls Tuesday for the ballot measure that would expand government-backed health insurance to poor adults without children earning just about $17,000 per year.
Remdesivir Will Cost $3,120 Per Typical Treatment Course, Gilead Announces
The drug will be distributed under an unusual agreement that establishes nonnegotiable prices and prioritizes American patients, health officials said Monday. How much uninsured patients would pay is still unclear.
McConnell, Governors Press Importance Of Wearing Masks
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took to the Senate floor to convey this message while other GOP governors asked Vice President Mike Pence to be more clear in communicating to the American public that masks can help curb the spread of the coronavirus. In addition, the state executives in Kansas, Georgia and Arizona — where case counts are surging — are issuing orders or otherwise pressing residents on the issue of face coverings.
Top public health officials and some senior members of the Trump administration are again urging vigilance as COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket in many areas of the U.S. “This is a real call to action,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in an television interview. Yet White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, “We’re at a place where we can handle the cases that we’re seeing.” Meanwhile, HHS says the federal state of emergency, set to expire in late July, will be extended.
Spread Of Virus Will Not Be ‘Easy To Snuff Out’ Despite Latest Actions By States To Pause Reopenings
The number of confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases rose by another 41,000 on Monday. In response to the surge, governors in California, Texas and Florida in particular are taking steps to slow or reverse reopening measures as cases in those states hit record levels. Meanwhile, New York and New Jersey — former hot spots — aim to protect their states from slipping back.
As Governors Change Their Tune, Local Leaders Must Cope With Consequences Of Mixed Messages
Local leaders voice frustration at the inconsistent or unsound reopening and health guidelines provided by state capitols that they say have contributed to the rapid resurgence of COVID-19 cases. Moves being made in cities or regions in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, California, Maryland and New York are in the news.