Latest KFF Health News Stories
Justice Ginsburg Hospitalized For Second Time This Month
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is fighting a cancer recurrence, underwent a “minimally invasive” procedure and is expected to be released by the end of the week.
Who Gets The COVID Vaccine And When?
“This is a huge experiment and no one knows how it’s going to turn out,” said James Le Duc, the director of the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Galveston National Laboratory, about the very fast development process of a COVID vaccine.
Medicare Part D Premium Will Rise Slightly Next Year, CMS Says
Also in Medicaid news: Missouri’s upcoming vote on expansion and an interview with Will Lightbourne, head of California’s Department of Health Care Services, which oversees the state’s Medicaid program.
Pence Met With Doctors Featured In Discredited Viral Video
A group called America’s Frontline Doctors captured national attention for their unproven claims in an online video seen by millions–despite being banned from some social media platforms for misinformation–about the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine and masks. Vice President Mike Pence met with several of the doctors on Tuesday.
Judge Blocks ‘Public Charge’ Rule On Immigrants
Federal Judge George Daniels wrote that since the April ruling, the pandemic has gotten worse and “the irreparable harm and public interests that warrant an injunction have come into sharper focus. … We no longer need to imagine the worst-case scenario.”
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Democrats Push Child-Care Bills
A Democrat in the House of Representatives wants to try to repeal the Helms Amendment that imposes anti-abortion restrictions on overseas aid. And two child-care bills pass in the House largely along party lines.
HHS Contract Awarding COVID Data Collection Raises Questions
An NPR investigation finds irregularities in the TeleTracking Technologies contract for a database previously managed by the CDC. In other Trump administration news, Modern Healthcare obtains partial text of White House drug pricing executive orders.
Masks Now Mandatory On House Floor After Rep. Gohmert Tests Positive
The coronavirus infection of Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) is notable because he openly flouted previous chamber guidelines encouraging face coverings and social distancing.
Over 150,000 Americans Dead With Rate Speeding Up To 1 Every Minute
The United States blew past another tragic milestone, reporting 150,000 deaths due to the COVID-19 outbreak. New case counts and the death rate continue to climb to record or near-record levels — especially in Texas.
Lawmakers Reject Notion Of ‘Skinny’ Bill As Stimulus Legislation Stalls
Little progress was made to bridge the vast differences between House and Senate proposals for the next round of coronavirus relief, though lawmakers did find common ground in dismissing White House officials’ push for a smaller, short-term bill.
Get the Data: Hollowed-Out Public Health System Faces More Cuts Amid Virus
We’re releasing our public health infrastructure data on Github for journalists, researchers and interested readers to use.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Missourians to Vote on Medicaid Expansion as Crisis Leaves Millions Without Insurance
Around the country, Medicaid enrollment is up as people who have lost jobs during the pandemic seek health insurance. Expanding eligibility for Missouri’s program, which could help thousands of recently unemployed residents, will be on the ballot Tuesday.
Medi-Cal Agency’s New Head Wants to Tackle Disparities and Racism
Will Lightbourne, the new director of the California Department of Health Care Services, says government must address the racial disparities laid bare by COVID-19 and improve care for the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Namaste Noir: Yoga Co-Op Seeks to Diversify Yoga to Heal Racialized Trauma
In dealing with her son’s violent murder, fear over the coronavirus pandemic and the stress of coping with systemic racism, Beverly Grant has found strength and peace through yoga. The Denver native is part of a yoga co-op seeking to bring the ancient practice to more diverse communities as a health care tool.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and others.
Different Takes: Best Ways To Get Control Of COVID; Worry About Vaccines Extends Beyond Anti-Vaxxers
Opinion writers weigh in on efforts that can be taken to safely reopen the nation and on other pandemic topics.
Pfizer Says Trump’s Drug-Pricing Orders Would Add To ‘Anxiety’
The drugmaker says it might reconsider plans to expand in the U.S. if the executive orders are implemented. Read about this and other pharmaceutical developments from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Time To Cut Costs; Trump’s Drug-Pricing Orders
Read recent commentaries about prescription drug issues.
Pan-Global Pandemic Update: European Leaders Warily Eye Second Wave
News from across the globe on how various countries continue to struggle with coronavirus outbreaks.