Latest KFF Health News Stories
The Future of Molecular Testing Assessed
Other developments in gene therapy, the return of Vioxx and the most impressive biotech startups are in the news.
Starting Next Year, Joint Commission Will ID Hospitals With High C-Section Rates
“We want to encourage organizations to reduce their C-sections and encourage leaders to do that in a safe way,” said Dr. David Baker, executive vice president for Healthcare Quality Evaluation at The Joint Commission.
US Life Expectancy Improved In 2019 — But That Was Before COVID Hit
The average person lived to be 78.8 years old, data released Tuesday show. But the coronavirus is expected to erase last year’s slim gain when the government releases 2020 figures next year. One early estimation predicts that the life expectancy for 2020 could decline by two to three years.
Wanted: Plasma From Recovered COVID Patients
Scientists are also working on treatments for COVID “long-haulers,” people who have long-term medical conditions.
Monoclonal Antibodies For Trump Friends
Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani and Chris Christie got the new treatments. Only a fraction of doses have reached other people who could benefit from them. The reason is a mix of science and politics. Also: More reports on the Trump administration.
HHS, CDC Chiefs Subpoenaed In House Probe Of White House Interference Charges
Citing evidence of “extensive and dangerous” political meddling into the CDC’s coronavirus policies by the Trump administration, House Democrats demand more documents from HHS Secretary Alex Azar and CDC Direct Robert Redfield.
The omnibus stimulus bill now heads to the president’s desk for signing. And tucked into that bill is a section on surprise medical bills.
California Faces Dire Health Worker Shortage, Opens Field Hospitals
The coronavirus pandemic is worsening in California as well as most other parts of the U.S., with ICUs filling up, more and more kids contracting the virus and people with other conditions falling through the cracks.
America’s Leaders Get Vaccinated
Joe Biden got the shot yesterday. Anthony Fauci gets it today. Even Republicans who spoke out against public health measures rushed to get it. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), says she won’t because it is “shameful” that politicians get it before people on the front lines.
Will Approved Vaccines Protect Against New Coronavirus Mutation?
The makers of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines will test them against the newly emerged variant and voice confidence about the effectiveness.
Travelers From UK To US May Face New Rules Due To Virus Variant Worries
The Trump administration is considering requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test for all passengers coming from the UK as the world contends with the last thing it needs: a mutation of the coronavirus that spreads even more easily.
First Moderna Shots Given; BioNTech Aims To Ramp Up 2021 Production
As vaccines are administered as quickly as they can be shipped, manufacturers work to increase capacity while state and hospital officials figure out how to dole out limited supplies.
Pfizer Vaccine Approved For Use In EU
Residents in the 27 nations that make up the European Union now have access to their first coronavirus vaccine. Shots are expected to begin next week.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers focus on these pandemic topics and others.
EU Regulators Gear Up To Approve Vaccine; Trucks Move Doses Into Place
Members of the 27-nation bloc could start to be vaccinated Dec. 27 once approval is given for Pfizer’s vaccine. Other global news is on WHO’s agreement to obtain 2 billion doses and missteps by France’s Emmanuel Macron.
Amazon Closes New Jersey Facility; Montana Expected To Lift Mask Mandate
Media outlets report on news from New Jersey, Montana, Texas and Missouri.
Busy Airports: People Head Home For Holidays Despite Warnings
Staying put is a top priority, the CDC says. After that, it advises getting a COVID-19 test a few days before travel, and another a few days after travel, while reducing nonessential activities.
HHS Wants To Change HIPAA Rules
The proposed rule shifts are designed to give patients more control over their health data and make it easier for clinicians to share patient data with other providers and insurers, Modern Healthcare reports. Early responses to the changes have been positive.
How COVID Changed Drug Treatments
It was easier for some patients to get drugs in the pandemic. In other news, documents show how Sacklers removed cash from Purdue.
