Latest KFF Health News Stories
California, Maine Mobilize To Shore Up Testing In Hard-Hit Areas
Officials in those states both take actions to boost coronavirus testing in vulnerable regions.
Prevent Spread, Lessen COVID Severity: Research Confirms Mask Benefits
While some Americans still question the efficacy of masks, scientists find that even if masks don’t block the virus entirely that they can result in a milder form of the disease.
Pfizer Begins Human Trials Testing Of COVID Vaccine
Pfizer’s developmental vaccine, BNT162b2, encodes a version of the virus’s whole spike protein, which it how the virus enters cells. The choice of vaccine should lead to “more consistent responses across diverse populations and in older adults,” Pfizer said.
Vaccine Distribution Snafus Predicted
The U.S. is unprepared to distribute a COVID vaccine, a Democratic think tank says, because of potential shortages of vaccine-brewing equipment, cold storage and raw materials. It predicts major bottlenecks.
Most Iowa Providers Unhappy With Privatized Medicaid: Survey
Quality of care for beneficiaries and reimbursement speed are among the complaints cited by health care providers about Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program. Other news stories cover New York’s rebate efforts and Medicaid enrollment.
Coronavirus Throws Presidential Debate Plans Into Disarray
Just as debate organizers announce a new site for the first scheduled presidential election debate they must now find a new location for the second.
Democratic Platform Nixes ‘Medicare For All’
The Democratic Party platform aligns with Joe Biden’s campaign promises, but almost 400 delegates to the convention wanted the promise of “Medicare for All” included. Legalizing marijuana is also not in the platform.
GOP Aid Bill Cuts Jobless Benefits, OKs Stimulus Checks And Testing Funds
As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled $1 trillion stimulus package, White House officials turned negotiating efforts to House Democrats.
Drug Pricing Orders Scuttle Meeting Between Trump, Pharma Execs
While signing executive orders aimed at lowering prescription drug prices, President Donald Trump said he would meet today with industry leaders to discuss the measures. But no pharma executives opted to join. The executive orders have not yet been made public.
President Donald Trump again says a vaccine will be ready before the end of the year, while Dr. Anthony Fauci tells ABC News he doesn’t have “a good answer” as to why the U.S. has trouble distributing personal protective gear.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Biden Is Right. Pay for Home Health Workers Is Paltry.
These workers rely on public assistance — and, sometimes, a side gig to get by.
Dental and Doctors’ Offices Still Struggling with COVID Job Loss
Newly released employment data underscores the lingering toll the pandemic has taken on a range of outpatient services in California and across the U.S., from pediatric and family medical practices to dental offices, medical labs and home health care.
The COVID-19 Downturn Triggers Jump in Medicaid Enrollment
For the first time since 2017, Medicaid enrollment has begun increasing again, but not by as much as many analysts expected.
Watch: When a Surprise Helper During Surgery Is Out-of-Network
“CBS This Morning” features the July installment of KHN-NPR’s Bill of the Month about a surgical assistant’s out-of-network bill for helping during knee surgery.
El color de COVID: ¿los ensayos de vacunas reflejan la diversidad de Estados Unidos?
Las personas de raza negra y las latinas (que pueden ser de cualquier raza) tienen tres veces más probabilidades de infectarse con el coronavirus que causa COVID-19 que las personas blancas no hispanas
Opinion and editorial pages focus on many issues related to the coronavirus crisis.
Editorial writers offer opinions on pharmaceutical drug pricing, the Americans With Disabilities Act, racial disparities in health care and other subjects.
How States Are Faring In The Epidemic
An update of coronavirus cases and deaths from across the United States.
Tracking The Virus Around The Globe
Germans are trying an ocean cruise and Vietnam bans wildlife imports as several countries report that COVID cases are spiking again.