Latest KFF Health News Stories
Federal Reserve Pulls Out All The Stops To Try To Bolster Economy
But calls for the Fed to lend to all corners of the economy are striking given a move by Congress just 10 years ago to restrict its emergency lending authority after the last economic meltdown. Meanwhile, governors plead with the federal government and Congress for financial help as their unemployment claims skyrocket.
Health care workers on the front lines have been hit hard by the outbreak in other countries. As providers in the United States face shortages of protective gear, medical equipment and nurses, some consider desperate options like deliberate infection. Meanwhile, volunteers rush to sew masks in an attempt to stave off the shortages for local hospitals.
‘Be On Lookout For Schemes’: DOJ Launches Task Force On Hoarding, Price Gouging
Among profiteering crimes being reported are hoarding of masks at a time when health care professionals need them, targeting of Medicare patients for fake COVID-19 tests and physicians prescribing anti-viral drugs promoted by President Trump to healthy patients.
Opinion writers express views about these health care issues and others.
17-Year-Old’s Death Linked To Coronavirus, Emphasizing That The Young Aren’t Immune To The Outbreak
While the case is complex in terms of how COVID-19 played a role in the death, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials say it highlights the risk to young people, who have experienced far lower mortality rates than the older generations.
FDA stressed that “convalescent plasma has not been shown to be effective in every disease studied.” But it is a century-old treatment that has shown results against other diseases. “We won’t know until we do it, but the historical evidence is encouraging,” said Dr. Arturo Casadevall of Johns Hopkins University. In other news, the slow mutation rate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus prompts optimism for a future vaccine.
Gilead could keep lower-priced generic versions of the medicine off the market for several years if remdesivir is approved for use. Gilead was able to secure the status because as of now there are fewer than 200,000 cases in the U.S.
President Donald Trump sparked a surge of interest in an old malaria treatment that might be showing promising results in treating COVID-19, causing a rush on the drug. But scientists and experts warn that any drug needs to be tested to prove its safety, and that process could take months. Meanwhile, Roche hopes its arthritis medication will show results in patients with coronavirus.
New York Cases Climb By ‘Astronomical’ Amount, Accounting For About 60% Of U.S. Infections
Vice President Mike Pence warns that anyone who had been to New York and had since left should self-isolate for two weeks. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is working to get enough hospital beds and medical equipment to deal with the surge, but he struck an urgent tone Tuesday as cases continue to spike. He also forecasts that New York City is what the rest of America will be dealing with soon, though public health experts say that may not be the case because the city’s unique circumstances–like high density–exacerbate the outbreak.
Governors and hospital leaders fear the voluntary efforts from private companies will be too scattershot without federal coordination. But President Donald Trump has been hesitant to actually use the Defense Production Act, which could compel companies to manufacture medical equipment and protective gear. A FEMA official caused confusion on Tuesday when he mentioned the act, but the agency later walked back statements that it had been invoked.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these health care issues and others emerging during the pandemic.
Trump Wants To ‘Open Up’ The Country By Easter Despite Public Health Experts’ Warnings
Public health experts caution that lifting social distancing recommendations would overwhelm the country’s health system and have fatal consequences. But President Donald Trump, who has tied his presidency to the success of the economy, seems to be getting restless. The suggestion that the country restart in two weeks kicked off a debate about the value of human life between the political parties.
The measure is the largest economic rescue package in U.S. history and would give direct payments to most Americans, expand unemployment benefits and provide a $367 billion program for small businesses to keep making payroll while workers are forced to stay home. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wants to pass the legislation on unanimous consent so that she doesn’t have to call lawmakers back to the Capitol, but Republicans signal at least one member is protesting that move.
Perspectives: Will Americans Actually Be Able To Afford A Vaccine If One Is Available?
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drug Pricing Legislation Fades Into Background As Coronavirus Dominates Lawmakers’ Attention
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Editorial pages focus on these health care topics and others.
Thalidomide Crisis: Decades Later, Survivors Demand Justice, Recognition For Severe Defects
A New York Times special report looks at efforts under way to help thousands of Americans who say they were harmed during trials for a drug used as sedative to help treat morning sickness in the 1950s and 1960s.
“This what I’m seeing everyday,” a doctor in Italy says. If odds of surviving are stacked against a patient on a ventilator, doctors have to make tragic decisions to remove them from the machine for younger, healthier patients. Other news on COVID-19 is on South Korea’s success at flattening the curve, China’s aims to lift its lockdown, Britain’s plans a virtual lockdown, and a slowdown on security clearances in the U.S., as well.
Olympics Postponed Until 2021 Amid Outcry Over Public Health Dangers
Countries had begun announcing they wouldn’t participate in Tokyo’s 2020 games.
