Latest KFF Health News Stories
Next In Vaccine Line?: CDC Panel Advises Essential Workers, People Over 75
A CDC advisory committee voted over the weekend on recommendations to the states on who should get the vaccine after health care workers and nursing home residents. Those groups include police, fire, school and grocery workers as well as Americans over the age of 75.
First Moderna Shots Expected To Be Administered Today
After its vaccine cleared final regulatory hoops for emergency use authorization, Moderna began shipping out to the states on Sunday.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: The Year Of Pushback; Systemic Racism And Children; Holidays And Depression
Opinion writers express views about a multitude of topics impacting public health and mental health during 2020.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on COVID, Alzheimer’s, hearing aids, hospital police, violence against nurses, youth issues, mental health and composer Molly Joyce.
Spain Passes Last Major Hurdle To Legalize Euthanasia
Other global news is from the United Kingdom, European Union, Africa and the West Bank.
Maryland Discourages Out-Of-State Travel; D.C. Relaxes Rules On Churches
As infections rise in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia area, politicians identify new safety protocols. News is from Pennsylvania, California and Michigan, as well.
Survey: Most Americans Accept Benefits Of Wearing Masks
Just over half of Americans think the worst of the pandemic is yet to come. Reports are on the idea of vaccine mandates and misinformation, losses impacting indigenous people and more.
Study: Pulse Oximeters Can Give Inaccurate Results For Black People
The devices shine a red light through the user’s fingertip, and for those with darker skin, the device may give misleading readings, said a pulmonologist who was the study’s lead author.
Layoffs Begin At State Hospital Even As Cases Soar Among Patients, Staff
Western State Hospital In Washington was struggling with staff shortages and other problems before the pandemic hit. Other industry news is on thriving uniform stores, Highmark Health, diversity issues in the American Hospital Association and more.
Biogen Agrees To Pay $22M To Settle Medicare Kickback Allegations
Other pharmaceutical and biotech news is on AbbVie, Path-Tec and Coherus Biosciences.
Sackler Family Members Apologize For Opioid Victims’ Suffering, But That’s It
Two members of the family that controls Purdue Pharma testified before a House panel Thursday, marking one of the first times in years the family had been publicly questioned under oath on the company’s role in the deadly opioid epidemic. Neither accepted personal responsibility.
Becerra Sheds Light On Biden Administration’s Health Goals
Xavier Becerra, who is expected to lead the Health and Human Services Department in the new administration, gave his first live interview Thursday since being tapped for the role.
Relief Work Extends To Weekend; White House Aides Avert Trump Demand
The Washington Post reports that aides to President Donald Trump talked him out of throwing off relief negotiations with a demand for bigger stimulus checks. Other measures are also dropped as lawmakers continue to try to hammer out a deal.
Supreme Court Denies Request From Religious School For Shutdown Exemption
Danville Christian Academy argued for a religious-based exemption from Kentucky’s temporary restrictions on in-person learning. The justices rejected the case in a 7-2 ruling.
Surge Is So Bad That Task Force Needs New Color Scale To Illustrate Scope
Another record number of deaths — nearly 3,700 — was reported on Thursday while new infections surpass 275,000.
California Running Out Of Hospital Beds As Pandemic Spirals Out Of Control
California is, once again, the nation’s hottest spot of the coronavirus outbreak, forcing officials to activate the state’s “mass fatality” protocol. Deaths are being counted by the hour.
Biden And Trump Teams Both Hit By New Infections
Like the nation, the pace of government officials and advisers infected by or exposed to the coronavirus are on the rise.
Hospitals Beef Up Security To Prevent Theft Of Vaccine Shipments
Early on, a scarce supply of vaccine vials will help hospitals keep close track of who is receiving the vaccine. But as the vaccine becomes more widely available, the prospects for line-jumping or theft will become more prevalent.
