Latest KFF Health News Stories
PhRMA Unveils Guidelines To Improve Racial Diversity In Clinical Trials
The pharmaceutical industry’s largest lobbying organization said the guidelines are voluntary and take effect April 2021. Also in the news: Purdue Pharma, Amazon Pharmacy, Medtronic and more.
CMS: Improper Medicare Payments Drop $15B Since 2016
CMS administrator Verma Selma said the decline was due in part to improvements in home health, including a $5.9 billion decrease in improper payments.
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, Third In Line Of Presidential Succession, Has COVID
The Republican president pro tempore of the Senate, who is 87, was at the Capitol on Monday and spoke on the Senate floor, taking off his mask to do so.
CDC Walks Back Guidance On Risks Of COVID To Kids And Schools
Two controversial documents that pushed for schools to reopen was removed from the CDC website with no public statement. The agency also posted warnings about holiday activities that could transmit the virus like drinking and caroling.
Trump Absents His Administration At COVID Emergency Tipping Point
Public health officials are voicing alarm that the White House has “checked out” at the same time coronavirus cases are skyrocketing and the nation is approaching holidays that could prove to be superspreading events.
Trump Moves Ahead With ‘Most Favored Nation’ Medicare Drug Plan
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Team Biden Connects Early With Leading Public Health Groups
While the formal transition is stalled by the Trump administration, President-elect Joe Biden and his team are reaching out to governors and public health leaders while continuing to announce the people who will next staff the White House.
Transition Stonewall Imperils Vaccine And COVID Prep, Biden Advisers Warn
President-elect Joe Biden’s coronavirus advisers are appealing to the Trump administration to allow the transition process to proceed so that they can get the resources and intelligence needed to move forward with pandemic planning.
For Pfizer And Moderna, The Hard Part Isn’t Over Yet
Manufacturing enough COVID-19 vaccines, distributing them and storing them are among the major concerns for vaccine makers in the months ahead.
The Final Results Are In: Pfizer Vaccine Is 95% Effective
The company said it will seek emergency authorization “within days.” If approved, Pfizer would likely make history for having the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine.
State Restrictions Tighten — Even In Some With Republican Governors
Also, Dr. Anthony Fauci calls for a national approach. Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Oregon, New Jersey, North and South Dakota and more.
First At-Home COVID Testing Kit Approved By FDA
The FDA granted emergency-use authorization for Lucira Health’s nasal swab test for people over 14. The kit provides results within 30 minutes on the self-collected sample.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Pros, Cons Of Emergency FDA Approvals; Why Tell People To Defy Public Health Cautions?
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and other public health issues.
Editorial writers focus on these public health topics and others.
Viral Video From Russia Suggests COVID Toll May Be Worse Than Reported
Other global COVID developments are reported from Greece, England and the World Health Organization.
Largest Virginia School System Pauses Reopening Plans
In other news from the state, Arlington National Cemetery said Monday that it is canceling the annual “Wreaths Across America” event because of COVID-19. News is also from New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Washington state and more states.
Cruise Ship Empties In Barbados; NCAA Will Play March Madness In A ‘Bubble’
The SeaDream I was carrying 66 crew and more than 50 passengers, with the majority of passengers hailing from the U.S. The ship reportedly had seven people aboard test positive for COVID. Those passengers left the ship Friday and were transferred to an isolation facility in Barbados.
Marijuana Finds Fewer Roadblocks
On Monday, New Mexico’s state medical cannabis advisory board voted in favor of nearly doubling the patient purchase limit. In other public health news: seasonal affective disorder, what to do about Thanksgiving and more.
Researchers Identify A Dominant Disease-Causing Strain In Genome Study
Research on COVID looks at lower survival rates from cardiac arrest and damages to the cardiovascular system, as well.
