Latest KFF Health News Stories
Cities, States Weigh New Restrictions As COVID Scales Tip
But pushback continues: In Utah — where the governor recently enacted an emergency order calling for everyone to wear masks — the Iron County sheriff said he won’t enforce the order. The sheriff says pandemic restrictions are causing adverse effects on county residents’ well-being.
Russia Claims Sputnik Vaccine Shows More Than 90% Efficacy
The country’s announcement follows Pfizer’s reporting of a similar breakthrough. Late-stage trials have not yet finished.
Vermont Ups Hazard Pay Fund For Essential Workers By $8 Million
News is from Vermont, Alaska, New Mexico, Montana, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada and Illinois.
CDC: Thanksgiving Gatherings Need To Be Small And Outside
Even with friends and family, take precautions or consider having virtual celebrations. News is on plans for the National Christmas Tree Lighting, superspreader events, honoring nurses and more.
Mental Illness Appears To Be Yet Another COVID Side Effect
A new study out from The Lancet found that 20 percent of COVID-19 patients are diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder within 90 days after the COVID diagnosis. New research on the virus also covers hospital readmissions, melatonin, testing and more.
As If COVID Pandemic Isn’t Hard Enough, Scammers Make Things Worse
The IRS is warning people about scammers who reach out about stimulus payments via text and email. Other coronavirus scam-related news is on fake clinical trials, fake COVID tests, fake cures and more.
Senators Want To Increase HHS Budget By $2 Billion Next Fiscal Year
The draft bill includes $300 million for the HHS Hospital Preparedness Program, which provides grants to states to prepare hospitals for public health emergencies, an increase of $24 million from last year.
Skewing The Data?: South Dakota Including NICU Beds In Hospital Count
Hospital bed availability a key metric that Gov. Kristi Noam, a Republican, has used to defend her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Also in the news: El Paso’s University Medical Center, Detroit Medical Center, Tower Health and more.
More Poll Workers Test Positive For COVID Following Elections
At least 28 employees of the Jackson County Election Board in Missouri were infected, though it’s not clear if it was due to exposure from voters. Election workers in California, Pennsylvania and Minnesota also test positive.
Military’s Planning For Vaccine Distribution Concern Biden Adviser
As the Biden transition moves forward, without concession or cooperation from the Trump administration, COVID-19 vaccine distribution emerges as a key discussion point. And speculation continues about who will be nominated to the next cabinet.
Biden Promises To ‘Protect Your Health Care’ By Shoring Up Insurance
And President-elect Joe Biden says his team is preparing a contingency plan to ensure Americans do not lose coverage for preexisting conditions, in case the Supreme Court strikes down the health law. And he wants to work with Congress to improve protections.
Supplies Of Eli Lilly’s COVID Antibody Treatment Expected To Be Strained
Limited amounts of the drug and other logistical challenges could hamper the federal government to fairly distribute the newly approved treatment.
Supreme Court Justices Signal That ACA May Survive Latest Challenge
Exchanges during two hours of arguments in California v. Texas — another legal challenge to the Affordable Care Act — indicate that even conservative members of the Supreme Court may be inclined to uphold the health law. A decision is expected in late spring.
COVID Infections Accelerating In Every State. And 42 Are In The Red Zone.
The nation surpassed a series of other alarming marks as well: Texas became the first state with over 1 million cases; the U.S. broke another daily record of over 136,000 new infections; and hospitalizations are at the highest point of the pandemic.
Azar, Fauci Confident A COVID Vaccine Will Be Widely Available By Spring
The current vaccine development roadmap points to general public distribution as soon as April 2021 according to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Extreme Cold Pfizer Vaccine Requires Will Make Broad Distribution Tough
The good news is that Pfizer’s vaccine is reported to be 90% effective; the bad is that it must be stored in expensive ultra-cold freezers that many hospitals and facilities that often provide inoculations do not currently possess.
‘Two-Way Street’: CDC Now Says Masks Protect You And Those Around You
“Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. News on PPE also covers masks with antiviral coating and the surgical gowns that are failing U.S. standards.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Be Optimistic, But Watch Authorization Of Vaccine Very Closely
Opinion writers weigh in on news about a vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.
Perspectives: The Health Law Is At Risk Again In Supreme Court; Americans Have Much To Lose
Opinion writers express views about the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act before the Supreme Court.
