Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Essential Worker Shoulders $1,840 Pandemic Debt Due To COVID Cost Loophole
Carmen Quintero had symptoms of COVID-19, couldn’t get tested and ended up with a huge bill. She also was told to self-isolate and assume she had the coronavirus — which is hard when you live with elders.
Hospital Executive Charged In $1.4B Rural Hospital Billing Scheme
In an investigation last year, KHN detailed the rise and fall of Miami businessman Jorge A. Perez’s rural hospital empire, which spanned eight states and encompassed half of the rural hospital bankruptcies in 2019.
‘More Than Physical Health’: Gym Helps 91-Year-Old Battle Isolation
For Art Ballard, the local gym was like his second home. The 91-year-old former jeweler relied on his near-daily workouts to stay healthy and for social interaction. But when California instituted its stay-at-home order, Ballard’s physical health suffered. So did his mental health.
Workers Filed More Than 4,100 Complaints About Protective Gear. Some Still Died.
As health workers were dying of COVID-19, federal work-safety officials filed just one citation against an employer and rapidly closed complaints about protective gear.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: High Court’s Surprising Abortion Decision
In a decision that surprised both sides of the polarized abortion debate, the Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that would require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Jennifer Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times join KHN’s Julie Rovner to break down what happened, what comes next and how this case could provide a clue to the one challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
Supreme Court, Rejecting Restrictive La. Law, Refuses To Roll Back Abortion Rights
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s liberals in the 5-4 decision that strikes down a state law requiring doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
‘Uncharted Territory’: Gilead Releases Pricing Details For Only Known Coronavirus Treatment
Under the pricing structure announced by Gilead Sciences Monday, a hospital in the U.S. would be charged $3,120 for remdesivir in order to treat a typical patient with insurance.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Global news is from South Africa, India, South Korea, Australia, China, Haiti, Russia, Czech Republic, England, Brazil, Greece, Belgium, Dubai, Thailand, Spain, France, Yemen, Pakistan, Mexico, Yemen and Italy, as well.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is considering closures in other counties, as well. News on California is about one family’s struggle with COVID, difficult access to courts, tackling the budget, permitting reusable shopping bags, rising prison outbreaks, and a strain on Filipino nurses, as well.
After Saying It Was Near Capacity, Houston Hospital System Stops Reporting Key Metrics In COVID Care
The sudden rise in cases across Texas is drawing concerns and questions about the governor’s policies as the state moved quickly to reopen.
Starbucks, Pepsi And Other Companies Pause Ads To Protest Hate Speech On Social Media
Many companies are removing their ads from Facebook specifically, while others are halting them on all social media platforms.
Media outlets report on news from Georgia, Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, Arizona, North Carolina, Louisiana, Michigan, Vermont and Massachusetts.
As Pro Sports Attempt A Comeback, Virus Hotspots Could Play The Spoilers
States like Florida, Texas and Arizona play a key role in professional sports’ effort to restart. But those are also the places where COVID-19 cases are surging. Meanwhile, motor racing and marathon organizers make decisions about upcoming events.
As States Set Guidelines On Nursing Home Visits, Some Experts Worry It’s Too Soon
The pandemic has revealed many realities of nursing homes, including the vital role family still plays in a resident’s care and well-being. As facilities attempt to reopen to visitors, the industry faces calls for major changes as well as legal action.
Campus Conundrum: Colleges Weigh If Or When They Can Return To Normal
Students — and local businesses — nervously await word about whether colleges will open in the fall. News outlets also examine other ways schools have been disrupted by the pandemic.
Reports suggest that about two-thirds to three-quarters of coronavirus patients in ICUs have experienced hallucinations. Public health news is on mental health, conflicting messages, WHO’s response, ABCs of the virus, risky public transit, airline travel, pulse oximeters and more.
What Makes A ‘Great’ Vaccine? Who Will Get One? Experts Say We Must Wrestle With These Questions Now
News outlets report on the latest state of the global race for an effective vaccine.