Latest KFF Health News Stories
HHS Shake-Up: Caputo On Leave After CDC Rant, Interference; Adviser Out
HHS announced that its top communications official, Trump appointee Michael Caputo, will take a 60-day medical leave after falsely accusing CDC scientists of “sedition” and news reporting that he and a scientific adviser Caputo brought in, Paul Alexander, worked to modify the agency’s COVID science reports. Alexander is permanently leaving HHS.
CDC Releases Plan To Distribute Free COVID Vaccines To All Americans
The draft plan for starting to deliver a coronavirus vaccine within 24 hours of any federal approval was unveiled by the CDC. The agency says it will need $6 billion from Congress to execute the ambitious proposal.
Trump Counters Testimony Of His CDC Director On Vaccines, Masks
CDC Director Robert Redfield told senators Wednesday that a coronavirus vaccine would not be widely available until the next summer or fall and that masks are an effective tool to combat spread. At a press conference hours later, President Donald Trump contradicted both of those statements, calling Redfield “confused.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Normal? Life Might Not Return There For A While; Pros, Cons Of A Rushed Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
AstraZeneca Hiked Prices On Its Biggest Drugs By As Much As 6% This Year
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
COVID Cases Stack Up In Germany After American Woman’s Bar Crawl
Other nations in the news include India, France and the United Kingdom.
Nursing Home Visits Might Soon Resume In Georgia
Other places in the news include Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Illinois, the District of Columbia, Texas, Oklahoma and the Navajo Nation.
NY Can Tax Drugmakers Under Opioid Stewardship Act, Appeals Court Rules
Since New York passed its law, two other states – Delaware and Minnesota – enacted similar measures, and other states are considering the approach, Stat reports.
Testing Cost Varies Widely; Phone App Might Aid Tracing
The Journal Of General Internal Medicine reports less than 10% of tests cost insurers more than $306, but some bills were as high as $14,750. News is on fast turnarounds for employers, rapid antigen tests, the UK’s shortage of tests during a second wave and more.
US And Other Nations Struggle With The Ups And Downs Of Vaccine Prep
In America, researchers are trying to recruit more Black and Latino volunteers for vaccine trials. Other countries in the news include Russia, China, Poland, Germany and South Korea.
Indoor Maine Wedding Is Linked To Seven Deaths
Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah said, “The virus favors gatherings.” Other COVID news is on loneliness, herd immunity, flu season and more.
‘Especially Tragic’: LGBTQ Advocates Push Back Against Texas Curriculum
The board, expected to make a final decision in November, rejected mandates requiring students to learn about the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation as well as a proposal to teach middle schoolers about consent. Public health news is on eye exams, COVID among LSU football players, quarantine at NYU, online learning in Northern Virginia, and more.
Health Philanthropist Bill Gates Sr., Father Of Microsoft Founder, Dies At 94
As co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, he helped direct billions in grants for projects that included children’s vaccines; clean water in developing countries; bed netting to reduce mosquito-borne malaria; the promotion of contraceptives and single-use syringes; and more. Upon his death, the family announced that Gates Sr. had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.
Jon Stewart: Congress Abandoning Vets Exposed To Toxins In Burning Pits
Burn pits were used to incinerate hazardous material and chemical compounds at military sites throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. Stewart, the former “Daily Show” host, previously backed a bill to help 9/11 first responders get health care through 2092.
‘People Will Die’: Biden Campaign Lashes Out At Trump’s Maskless Rallies
In other news: Democratic nominee Joe Biden calls the president “a fool” for insinuating that he’s on drugs; his wife, Jill, discusses health care at an event in Michigan; and more. Also, for the first time in its 175-year history, Scientific American makes a presidential endorsement—for Joe Biden.
White House Draft Plan For Lowering Medicare Drug Prices Could Shake Up Vendor System
In the proposal, Medicare would pay the lowest price offered in countries with comparable economies. Modern Healthcare reports on the implications to move would have on the buy-and-bill system.
House To Stay In Session Until COVID Relief Deal Done, Pelosi Says
Despite the pledge from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, there are no other signs of progress in stalemated negotiations between Democratic leaders and the White House over the next stimulus package.
Azar Reportedly Reversed FDA Chief On Testing Policy; Schumer Calls For Him To Go
Politico reports that HHS Secretary Alex Azar revoked the FDA’s ability to check the quality of COVID-19 tests developed by individual labs for their own use, over objections from FDA chief Stephen Hahn. The growing reports of turmoil at HHS prompted Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to call for Azar’s immediate resignation.
