Latest KFF Health News Stories
Airlines: Exposed Workers, Passengers Without Masks, ‘Little’ Travel Demand Returning
News comes out of Reagan National Airport, Metro Airport, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Also, a report assesses the risk-taking differences between male and female travelers.
‘Wake Up Call’: Kids In Day Care Are Spreading The Virus At Home
The new study shows that children with very mild symptoms or none at all can be spreaders. News is on remote learning, departing teachers and more.
Losing 13% Of Body Mass Greatly Lowers Risks Of Becoming Ill
The chances of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and other conditions are lessened for people who lose at least 13% of their weight. Meanwhile, another study finds cases of uncontrolled blood pressure are on the rise.
Harder-To-Crush Version Of OxyContin Hasn’t Reduced Overdoses, FDA Says
The panel of health advisers did determine that the updated OxyContin appeared to cut down abuse by snorting and injecting.
Another Dark Side Of COVID: Are Hospitals Making A Profit?
HCA Healthcare finance chief Bill Rutherford says coronavirus patients tend to stay longer than typical hospitalized patients. Still, most hospitals appear to be losing money on COVID care, Modern Healthcare reports.
With Eye On Trodelvy Cancer Drug, Gilead Buys Immunomedics For $21B
In an interview with Stat, Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day said the drug “brings the entirety of our cancer strategy together.”
Other Vaccine News: Pfizer Expands Trials; China Tries Out Nasal Spray
COVID vaccine news stories report on a timetable from Pfizer and BioNTech, trials recruiting Blacks, effective rates, public impressions and China’s developments, as well.
Trump, Maskless Supporters Flout Nevada’s Rules To Rally Indoors
Most people attending the Henderson, Nevada campaign event Sunday night did not wear masks, with the exception of the audience directly behind President Donald Trump. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) called the Trump campaign’s actions “reckless and selfish.”
Biden Ties Trump’s Pandemic Response To Economic Woes
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says President Donald Trump mishandled the national response to the coronavirus outbreak and exacerbated the economic downturn. Other campaign issues like domestic violence and the fitness of the candidates are also in the news.
AstraZeneca Vaccine Trial Resumes In UK After Weeklong Pause
The company is working with health authorities to determine if a trial in the U.S. and in other places can resume, as well.
Trump’s New Executive Order Could Cut How Much Medicare Pays For Drugs
President Donald Trump’s latest drug pricing executive order calls for Medicare to test a “most favored nations” pricing scheme for prescription drugs bought by Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D. The pharmaceutical industry strongly opposes the plan.
Trump HHS Appointees Reportedly Tried To Water Down CDC’s COVID Scientific Reports
Emails obtained by Politico show that throughout the summer the politically appointed HHS spokesperson and his team demanded the right to review and revise language in CDC’s scientific reports to health professionals that could undermine President Donald Trump’s messaging about the pandemic.
Aides Defend Trump As Book Revelations Shake Campaign, Public Views
White House officials try to control the damage from President Donald Trump’s recorded interviews for Bob Woodward’s new book, which reveal he was aware of the severity COVID-19 in early the months but didn’t tell the public. Health and science experts voice their alarm over the president’s actions.
Firefighters Exhausted, More People Flee As Winds Fuel Deadly Wildfires
California, Oregon and Washington battle raging fires that are burning huge stretches of those states, forcing more residents to evacuate to hotels and other shelters. President Donald Trump will survey the damage in California today.
West Faces ‘Airpocalypse’ As Smoke Makes It Hazardous To Breathe
Air quality in the West plummets as smoke filled with ash and burning chemicals pollutes the region creating dangerous health risks for many residents even living far beyond the immediate fire zones.
‘We Are All Paying The Price’: Global Leaders Did Not Heed Pandemic Warnings
An international panel finds that world leaders had “been so clearly forewarned of the dangers of a devastating pandemic” but failed to take adequate action. Meanwhile, global cases surge to another record mark.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘Terrible Role-Modeling’: California Lawmakers Flout Pandemic Etiquette
As California workers and schoolchildren struggled to work from home, state lawmakers met in person. And as their legislative session came to a close in late August, they broke COVID rules: They huddled, let their masks slip below their noses, removed their masks to drink coffee — and required a new mom to vote in person while toting her hungry newborn.
Readers and Tweeters Grapple With COVID Therapies and Forecasts
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
With No Legal Guardrails for Patients, Ambulances Drive Surprise Medical Billing
Studies show that at least half of ground ambulance rides across the nation leave patients with “surprise” medical bills. And a $300-a-mile ride is not unusual. Yet federal legislation to stem what’s known as balance billing has largely ignored ambulance costs.