Latest KFF Health News Stories
As COVID Surges, McDonald’s, Starbucks Say They Won’t Shut Dining Rooms Across The Board
Instead, restaurant chains say they’re honing safety plans to still serve customers inside where possible. In other public health news: lowering your COVID risk during holiday travel, teleworking lowers infection rates and more.
Jeopardy Host Alex Trebek Loses Battle With Cancer
Pancreatic cancer has also taken the lives of John Lewis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg this year. News is on Al Roker’s diagnosis and how the sports world is responding to the pandemic, as well.
In Rebuke Of FDA, Panel Of Experts Refuses To Endorse Alzheimer’s Drug
The Food and Drug Administration had given aducanumab a glowing appraisal. However, 10 of the 11 panelists voted that the data provided by Biogen’s one positive study was not enough to demonstrate that the drug could slow cognitive decline. The other panelist voted “uncertain,” Stat reports.
HHS, Regeneron Release Details Of Operation Warp Speed Contracts
The newly released contracts, disclosed as the nation was preoccupied with the election, include the program’s $1 billion agreement with Johnson & Johnson and $450 million contract with Regeneron. The agreements appear to lack some customary protections against potential future price-gouging.
Medicare Part B Premiums Going Up
The monthly premium for outpatient care will go up by $3.90 next year to $148.50. The increase will claim a significant slice of retirees’ Social Security cost-of-living adjustment; it works out to nearly 20% of the average retired worker’s COLA of $20 a month next year, the AP reports.
COVID Continues Its March Through White House, Infecting Meadows, Five Others
Six White House aides, including President Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, and a Trump campaign adviser have all tested positive.
Trump’s Handling Of COVID Crisis Played Large Role In His Loss
President Donald Trump has not conceded the race and vows to continue fighting the outcome in court.
Inauguration Committee Planning ‘Outside Full-Scale’ Ceremony
But the state of the pandemic, and input of the Biden transition team, will likely alter the traditional swearing-in event, parade and balls.
Battle For Georgia Senate Seats Will Mold Future Health Care Agenda
Even before the next Congress is sworn in, the stimulus debate could be addressed in the upcoming lame-duck session.
Pandemic, Divided Congress Will Shape What Biden Can Get Done
Joe Biden will inherit a public health crisis that could be at its worst at the time he takes office. And he will be limited on what legislation can be quickly passed by fractious Congress.
Cabinet Watch: Who Will Be Tapped To Lead HHS?
With a new administration comes one of Washington, D.C.’s favorite pastimes: the cabinet guessing game. A big factor for this round of contenders is if they can get approved by a Senate likely to be controlled by Republicans.
Biden’s Health Care Positions Tend Toward The Middle Of The Road
Health care topped Joe Biden’s message on the campaign trail. What policies will he push in the White House?
Biden Signals Health Care, Climate Change Will Top ‘Day One’ Agenda
After he is inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden’s planned flurry of executive orders will include rejoining WHO and the Paris climate accords. He will also spend the next weeks talking with state and local leaders about mask mandates.
Election Partying Likely Superspreader Events, Experts And Critics Say
“When people’s guards get down, when people are celebrating, yelling, singing, these contribute to superspreading events,” says Robert Siegel, an infectious-disease specialist at Stanford University.
After Securing White House Victory, Biden Launches His COVID Task Force
In his victory speech Saturday night, President-elect Joe Biden cited “the battle to control the virus” as one of his top mandates from the 2020 election. On Monday he named the 13 health and policy experts who will be tasked with that tough job.
Over 10 Million Cases Of COVID-19 Have Been Confirmed In US
Across the globe, it’s 50 million, as the virus surges in many pockets of the planet. In the U.S., the record for daily cases was broken for a fourth day in a row, hitting 128,000 on Saturday.
Pfizer Says Vaccine Is More Than 90% Effective In Latest Trials
Pfizer said it is on track to ask health regulators for permission to sell the shot before the end of this month, if pending data indicate the vaccine is safe.
Obamacare’s Fate At Stake Tomorrow In The Supreme Court
At the center of the case before the court — California v. Texas — is the question: If one section of the Affordable Care Act is deemed unconstitutional, can the rest of it stand?
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
