Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump ‘Affirms’ Preexisting Condition Protections Enacted By Obamacare
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that he claims preserve the Affordable Care Act’s popular protections for people with preexisting conditions while his administration supports a case headed to the Supreme Court that could dismantle the health law. The president’s actions around Obamacare have been a focus of election-year criticism.
HHS Spokesman Michael Caputo Undergoes Surgery For Cancer
Michael Caputo was diagnosed with “squamous cell carcinoma, a metastatic head and neck cancer which originated in his throat.” The HHS spokesman took medical leave last week after falsely accusing CDC scientists of “sedition” and reports of meddling in COVID-19 reports. At the time, Caputo also raised concerns about his personal health. He now urges Americans not to neglect their own during the pandemic.
After Short-Lived Dip, COVID Cases Ticking Up Again In 22 States
As the latest infection trends point toward yet another surge, the U.S. passes 7 million confirmed coronavirus cases. The spike worries public health experts as the nation heads toward flu season and the holidays.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Pros, Cons Of U.S. Response To Testing, Opening Schools, Rushing A Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others as the U.S. death toll passes 200,000.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
Research Roundup: UTIs; C Difficile; Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma; Radiotherapy; Smoking And Tobacco
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Fall Could Be Worse Than Spring: Trudeau Warns Canada About Second Wave
The Canadian prime minister says it’s unlikely people will be gathering for their Thanksgiving in October. News is also from Germany, Israel, Malaysia, Honduras and Vietnam.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Who Railed Against Masks, Now Has Coronavirus
NPR reports that as recently as July 11, Parson told a group of cattle ranchers that the government should not interfere with their decision to wear or forgo a face covering. “You don’t need government to tell you to wear a dang mask,” he said.
California Governor Orders Ban On New Diesel, Gas Cars By 2035
The White House criticized the announcement: “… the lengths to which they will go to destroy jobs and raise costs on the consumer is alarming.”
Wildfires Expose More Americans Than Ever To Toxic Air Pollution
The increase of 9 million more Americans is compared to 2018, the worst previous year. Other news is on exercising when the air is hazy, a death linked to black licorice, food safety and more.
CDC: Halloween Masks Don’t Offer Protection
The agency also warns against wearing a costume mask over a regular cloth face mask and instead recommends Halloween-themed cloth masks. Other public health news reports on ongoing county fairs, airline mask policies, parental burnout and Wall Street’s reopening, as well.
Legendary Football Player Gale Sayers Dies Following Battle With Dementia
His wife said she partly blames the repeated head injuries during his NFL career for his dementia. News is also on figure skating.
Testing Czar Ships Rapid Test Kits To Black Colleges
The first shipment of more than 250,000 will be followed up next week with 300,000 more. Other news is on school building safety, transmission rates, banned students and more.
Number Of Patients, Surgeries Slow To Return To Normal, Report Finds
The slow rebound is causing financial concerns for hospitals. Also in the news: liability claims against home care nurses; medical deferrals for immigrants; COVID grants; Northwell Health; Teladoc; Amwell; and Community Health Systems.
New In Biotech: Google Maps’ COVID Tracker; Apple Watch’s Blood Oxygen Sensor
And in pharmaceutical news, “brain-boosting” supplements may contain unapproved drugs in potentially dangerous combinations and doses.
Studies Show Face Shields Don’t Stop COVID, But Copper Surfaces Do
Researchers are urging hospitals to consider swapping out stainless steel surfaces for copper. COVID lives for several days on stainless steel but dies within hours on copper, studies show.
Kids Will Likely Be At The Back Of The Vaccine Line
With no clinical trials underway, a COVID-19 vaccine for children is unlikely before the fall of 2021. Other news stories report the latest on vaccine development by Sanofi, Merck and AstraZeneca.
Trump Promises Abortion Executive Order In Appeal To Catholic Voters
Text of the order has not been released, but President Donald Trump said it will require health care providers to provide medical care to all babies born alive, whether prematurely or from a failed abortion. Organizations representing obstetricians and gynecologists say the law already provides those protections.
Feds Cracking Down On Hospitals That Don’t Report Daily COVID Data
The draft guidance is expected to be sent to hospitals this week. The government also wants hospitals to provide daily information on flu cases.
