Latest KFF Health News Stories
Different Takes: Lessons On Finding The Very Best Vaccine; Lack Of Data Severely Hampers Progress
Editorial pages look at these pandemic topics and others.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and contemplate. This week’s selections include stories on COVID, psychedelic medicine, addiction, lethal injection, doctor and dental practices, and relationships.
‘Terrifying’: Syrian Doctors Refute Government Claims, Say Outbreak Is Widespread
News is from Syria, Spain, China, North Korea, Russia, Switzerland, Easter Island, Tahiti, Brazil and Italy.
‘Haven’t Learned’: Critics Cite Multiple Mistakes Behind England’s 2nd Wave
Poor communication from leadership and a reluctance to learn from other countries that have lessened the impact of COVID are among the top problems, public health officials say.
Police Probe Neglect, Abuse Of Disabled Residents At Group Homes In Houston
At least 35 abused or neglected residents were found living in “deplorable” conditions in the Caring Hands Group Home. The “person of interest” in the case, Carroll Shelton Richardson, is the home’s operator and reportedly ran seven other boarding homes in Houston.
Not Wanting To Be Left Out, Pac-12 Rejoins Fall Football
In other sporting news, organizers of the Iditarod race ponder how to keep their staff and volunteers safe from COVID.
College Enrollment Took Big Hit In Pandemic — With One Exception
A closely-watched report found that undergrad enrollment is down 2.5% this year across all types of institutions. However, graduate enrollment is up 3.9%.
Please Fly The Friendly Skies: United Aims To Lure Back Flyers With Tests
Pilots will offer the tests on flights from San Francisco to Hawaii. News is on rising numbers of people searching for ways to lower anxiety, conflict managing for restaurant workers, no testing of seasonal farmworkers, forever chemical restrictions and more.
Survivors Share Tales Of Another Sad COVID Side-Effect: Losing Clumps Of Hair
Doctors think it’s due to the physiological stress of fighting off the coronavirus. Other research is on the risks of inflammation, what sewage shows, how dogs detect COVID and more.
‘It Has The Potential To Be Something Really Huge’: Boston Hospital Battles COVID Outbreak
By Thursday afternoon, Brigham and Women’s Hospital had identified eight patients and 11 employees who were infected. It expects that number to grow with contact tracing. Other health system news is on CoxHealth, Mercy, rural hospitals in Georgia and facilities in Contra Costa County, California.
Chicago Nurses, Union Reach Deal After Ending Strike
The contract guarantees the hiring of 160 more nurses, more protective gear and COVID hazard pay. In other news: California updates its “No Pharmacist Left Alone” law; Mayo Clinic Health System President Bobbie Gostout is retiring; Albertsons hires a former Amazon exec as its new senior VP of pharmacy and health; and more.
EU Deal Allows AstraZeneca Partial Immunity Over Vaccine Side-Effects
The deal was struck in August and its liability clauses have not previously been reported, according to Reuters and CNBC. Other vaccine news is on the trials being run by Novavax and Sanofi, and more. And also: New York’s decision to review vaccines.
Trump’s Virginia Rally Poses ‘Severe Public Health Threat,’ State Officials Warn
The public event scheduled for tonight would violate Virginia’s 250-person limit. The state health officials’ concerns are unlikely to alter the planned rally.
Source Of Postal Slowdown Linked To Higher-Ups, Records Show
The Washington Post obtains more documents related to the U.S. Postal Service postal changes that delayed deliveries that conflict with USPS executives previous accounts. The moves have drawn public outrage due to the important role of the mail in efforts to keep voters safe during the pandemic.
‘We Use A Scalpel Rather Than A Bulldozer’: Why Justices Might Keep Obamacare
The fate of the Affordable Care Act hinges on a separate legal argument called “severability,” or whether a smaller part of the law that is found unconstitutional can be wiped out while leaving the rest of the law intact. And the abortion issue influences the Supreme Court debate.
Medical Failures Contributed To Immigrant Deaths, House Probe Finds
A House report summing up a year-long investigation cites examples of medical mismanagement and records falsification.
House Democrats Knock $1T Off Stimulus Proposal To Jump-Start Talks
After stalling for months, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says coronavirus stimulus negotiations would resume as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells key House committee chairs to craft a new proposal that backs down on a previous $3.4-trillion ask. The new plan under discussion would cost closer to $2.4 trillion — which Republicans say is still too high.
Medicare Recipients Will Get $200 Card For Prescriptions, Trump Says
He tucked the news into a speech about his health care vision but didn’t provide many details. It’s possible the cards may be intended to help seniors pay for the COVID vaccine, which reportedly might not be covered by Medicare.
Lawmakers Reject Specter Of Non-Peaceful Transition Raised By Trump
As state officials work to protect the health and safety of Americans voting in November’s elections through early and mail-in ballots, President Donald Trump continues to question voting integrity. But lawmakers from both parties insist that an “orderly” inauguration will take place in January.
Trump Administration To Allow Importation Of Prescription Drugs
President Donald Trump announced the final rule that clears the way for states to import cheaper medicines from Canada while outlining his “America First Health Plan” Thursday.
