Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Care Industry Hit Hardest By Supply Shortages
Sixty-four percent of health care companies reported a shortage of supplies. In other health care industry news, Encompass Health wants to do away with its home health and hospice segment.
Biden Transition Team Gets Started On Health Issues
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar met with the Biden transition team, and Dr. Deborah Birx seeks a role in the Biden administration.
Multiple Proposals Stymie Relief Bill
There is no consensus yet on a bill to provide economic relief to people and businesses affected by the COVID pandemic, including providing liability protections to employers whose employees get sick or die from COVID.
Giuliani Released From Hospital
After getting medicines many COVID patients can’t obtain, Rudy Giuliani was released from the hospital. But at least 30 people in the Michigan legislature, where Giuliani spoke maskless, have tested positive.
Trump Makes Last-Ditch Attempts To Issue Drug Discount Cards, Stop ACA
With six weeks left in President Donald Trump’s term, the administration has put together a revised plan for the discount cards, which it circulated inside the administration Tuesday. The plan came with instructions to expedite approval and send cards in December and January, Politico reports.
On Your Mark, Get Set: Vaccine Suppliers Prepare For Big Moment
Meanwhile, HHS chief Alex Azar said Wednesday that the Trump administration is confident it has enough contracts with companies to ensure adequate doses of the COVID vaccine for all Americans.
Scientists Unsure What Triggered Allergic Reactions To COVID Shot
The reactions that two people in Britain suffered Wednesday after receiving the Pfizer vaccine were not predicted by trials in tens of thousands of people, experts say. The exact ingredients used in Pfizer’s vaccine are proprietary and have not been publicly disclosed.
Critical Bed Shortages In U.S. Hospitals
Hospitals across the country are overwhelmed as COVID hospitalizations continue to rise.
FDA Panel Meets Today; Pfizer Vaccine Could Be Approved In ‘Days To A Week’
Emergency-use authorization (EUA) could come as soon as today, but Peter Marks, the director of the FDA division overseeing vaccines, tempered that outlook Wednesday.
A Record Nobody Wants: US Daily Death Toll Tops 3,000
All the while, America is racing toward another stunning total: 300,000 total deaths from COVID.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers express views on these COVID vaccine issues and other public health issues.
Editorial. writers focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Perspectives: Trump’s Drug-Pricing Order, Precision Medicine And More
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
How Much Will Amazon Pharmacy Change The Industry?
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Officials Crack Down On Partiers In Ohio, California
Also, updates on contact tracing in Nevada, marijuana laws in red states and more.
Cruises Encounter Rough Waters Again
A “cruise to nowhere” was forced to return to Singapore a day early after a man tested positive for COVID. Also: The Michigan-Ohio State football game has been canceled for the first time ever; a death after childbirth; outdoor therapy; and sex takes a hit during the pandemic, too.
McKinsey Apologizes For Role In Opioid Promotions
The prominent consulting company vowed a review of its actions in helping Purdue Pharma promote the use of opioids. In other pharma industry news, a watchdog group wants the relationship between the FDA and Biogen investigated.
Some Health Care Workers, Officials Feel Heat Of Public’s Glare
In Idaho on Tuesday, a Board of Health meeting in Boise was adjourned when members learned that protesters had gathered at their homes; a nurse in Oregon who had flouted COVID guidelines on TikTok will leave her job at Salem Health; and more.
Security Flaws Found in GE Medical Devices
The security flaw was found in 104 types of radiological devices including CT scanners, X-ray machines and ultrasound devices, across GE product lines. In other industry news, a federal judge allows the Jefferson Health and Albert Einstein Healthcare Network merger to proceed.
