Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hospitals Deem Unlikely Any Civil Unrest Attacks
Hospitals don’t expect they would get hit by any post-election civil unrest. In other industry news, shortages of nurses remain a problem.
Success Unlikely In Post-Election Pandemic Battle
Skeptics of the federal government’s management of the pandemic are not hopeful about the next few months.
Living With Children Doesn’t Raise Risk Of Getting COVID, Study Finds
And in other news: Researchers may have discovered why COVID causes serious blood clotting; scientists have begun to isolate which mouth tissues are most vulnerable to the coronavirus; new AI can tell if someone has COVID by listening to them cough; and more.
More States Slammed By Record COVID Hospitalizations
The alarming trend is expected to continue as new infections continue to climb in all but three states. Over 91,000 cases were confirmed on Wednesday, the second highest daily tally of the pandemic.
Oklahoma Rejects Paying For Medicaid With Tobacco Settlement Funds
The ballot measure would have shifted about 75% of the state’s annual payment from “big tobacco” to cover Oklahoma’s share of expenses for the expansion of Medicaid that voters approved earlier this year. Meanwhile, there’s growing interest in Texas in expanding its Medicaid program.
California Voters Weigh In On Stem Cells, Dialysis, Property Taxes And More
Several of California’s 12 ballot initiatives will impact the health care industry or state’s policy.
Restrictive Abortion Ballot Measures Pass In Louisiana, Fail In Colorado
Louisiana voters agreed to amend the state’s constitution to spell out that it offers no protections for a right to an abortion. In Colorado, a proposition that would have banned the procedure after 22 weeks was voted down.
Oregon Votes To Decriminalize Street Drugs In Small Amounts; More States Legalize Pot
Ballot initiatives in several states targeted drug laws. The results of some are still undecided, like recreational marijuana measures in Montana and South Dakota.
How COVID Affected In-Person Voting Tuesday
Disinfectants, plexiglass shields and disposable pens reassured voters on Tuesday.
Economy, COVID Pandemic Are Top Issues, Voter Survey Finds
In the pre-election VoteCast survey, 53% said the coronavirus pandemic is not at all under control. The economic impact of the crisis also factored heavily into voters’ decisions.
All Eyes On The Many Ballots Sent By Mail During Pandemic
The presidential contest and some congressional races hinge on absentee and mail-in ballots in key states. Meanwhile, the U.S. Postal Service fails to conduct a court-ordered sweep of its facilities for undelivered ballots. As many as 300,000 could be missing.
Democrats Appear To Hold Onto House But Hopes For Senate Dim
The final count will depend on Senate races in several states that are still to be determined. Democrats picked up seats in Arizona and Colorado but their incumbent in Arizona is defeated. Republican senators in Iowa, Montana and South Carolina win.
More Battleground Votes To Tally With Both Trump, Biden Claiming An Edge
With future health care policy hanging in the balance, the nation will have to wait awhile longer with no presidential winner yet decided. President Donald Trump falsely claimed victory overnight while former Vice President Joe Biden said “we believe we’re on track to win this election.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
World Holds Its Breath As US Votes
America’s allies and rivals are closely watching the presidential election today. In other global developments: the Vatican has clarified the pope’s comments about same-sex unions; Germany is hoping antigen tests can keep its elderly population safe during the newest COVID wave; and more.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Asia’s Success With COVID; Pros, Cons Of Making The FDA Independent
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and on other public health issues, as well.
With Suicides Up 70%, Wichita Police Encourage People To Seek Help
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, California, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maryland, as well.
Many Colleges Plan To Test Students Before Thanksgiving Break
Some colleges will require it. SUNY chancellor Jim Malatras called it “a smart, sensible policy that protects students’ families and hometown communities and drastically reduces the chances of COVID-19 community spread.”
Advocacy Group Pushes Gilead To Cancel Voucher For Remdesivir
The vouchers are provided to give companies additional incentives, but Public Citizen insists Gilead is raking in profits from the COVID medicine. News is on a COVID vaccine, a recall of Metformin, a glucose lowering drug, and more.
No Letup For Hospitals, Nurses
Health systems are scrambling to keep up with the coronavirus surge and to find enough nursing help, especially in rural areas and at small hospitals.
