Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Inmates Say State Bungled Covid Response

Morning Briefing

Missouri’s 22 prison facilities have recorded a total of 5,059 cases, including 40 deaths. In other news, states attempt an ad contest to promote mask wearing and Massachusetts gets a telemedicine law.

Pharmacists Warned Walmart For Years About Opioid Sales, Documents Show

Morning Briefing

One former worker in rural Michigan who raised alarms said, “They told me, ‘Do not reach out to the DEA, do not call the police. If you do so, your employment is going to be terminated immediately.'”

Biden Taps 3 Officials To Coordinate Vaccine, Testing And Supply Strategy

Morning Briefing

The president-elect selected Bechara Choucair, a Kaiser Permanente executive, to be the nation’s covid vaccine coordinator; Carole Johnson, the commissioner of New Jersey’s human services department, as the nation’s new covid testing coordinator; and Tim Manning, a former deputy administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to be the nation’s new covid supply coordinator.

Half Doses Of Moderna Vaccine Considered To Speed Up Distribution

Morning Briefing

Moncef Slaoui, the head of Operation Warp Speed, said that the idea of cutting dosages has been discussed with FDA officials and Moderna. Meanwhile, disease experts and scientists debate the wisdom of deviating from tested protocols.

Prolonged Stress Of Pandemic Fight Takes Toll On Health Workers

Morning Briefing

Many hospitals face shortages, especially as cases again surge. Deaths among health care workers also climb tragically upward — The Guardian and KHN have been tracking and find over 2,900 losses.

Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed: The Holiday Edition

Morning Briefing

The end of 2020 is finally here — whew! This week, we’re giving you double the goodies to keep you busy while KHN goes on holiday break. Today’s selections include stories on COVID, Santa Claus, Elvis, words of the year, pharmacies, dialysis, French dressing and more. See you in 2021, everyone.