Latest KFF Health News Stories
CommonSpirit Health, Morehouse Team Up To Train Minority Physicians
The organizations are partnering for a 10-year, $100 million initiative to develop a joint undergraduate and graduate medical education program to train a minimum of 300 additional clinicians from historically underrepresented communities, Modern Healthcare reports.
Biden To Get COVID Shot Next Week; Plans For Inauguration Roll On
Aides for the president-elect say the delay has been due to the logistics of administering it in public, rather than hesitation to get the vaccine.
Medicaid, CHIP Enrollment Up Nearly 6% During Pandemic; Poverty Grows
All states saw their Medicaid rolls grow except Montana and the District of Columbia, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission said Wednesday.
Congress Inching Toward Deal That Includes Stimulus Checks
Progress is reported on a new round of coronavirus relief talks, as lawmakers face a Friday night government shutdown deadline.
Trump Blocks $200M In Medicaid Funds For California
In other administration news, Vice President Mike Pence will receive the COVID vaccine Friday and Interior Department Secretary David Bernhardt tested positive for the coronavirus.
One Day, 3,600 Lost: US Reports New Death And Hospitalization Records
The coronavirus outbreak spreads with little abatement across the nation as new cases continue to surge and hospitals are overwhelmed with severely ill patients.
‘We Want Them Infected’: Emails Reveal Trump Official’s Push For Herd Immunity Strategy
“Infants, kids, teens, young people, young adults, middle aged with no conditions etc. have zero to little risk….so we use them to develop herd…we want them infected…” wrote then-White House science adviser Paul Alexander in emails obtained during a House investigation and reported by Politico.
FDA Panel Votes Today On Moderna’s Vaccine
Medical experts will assess Moderna’s clinical trial data and offer their opinions on the vaccine — which, like Pfizer’s, uses mRNA technology and requires two doses.
Cold Storage, Production Issues Cause Early Distribution Snags
Several thousand doses of Pfizer’s vaccine had to be quarantined in California and Alabama after storage temperatures became too cold during transport.
First Nursing Home Vaccinations Administered; Who Will Be Next?
With immunization programs in U.S. nursing and long-term care homes now underway, states must decide whom to prioritize next. A CDC advisory panel is set to weigh in.
Allergic Reactions To Shot Experienced By Two Alaska Health Care Workers
The two workers were among 144 vaccinated at a Juneau hospital Wednesday. They both received emergency care, and only one of the cases was described as severe.
Pfizer Vaccine Vials Deliver A Dose Or Two More Than Estimated
More people will be able to get the first batch of Pfizer’s vaccine than previously believed after hospital pharmacists discovered that a vial contains enough vaccine to inoculate six or seven, rather than the labeled five.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Congress Needs To Advocate For ER Docs; Did U.S. Move Fast Enough On Vaccines?
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Viewpoints: New Lessons On Values Of Health Care For Minorities, Trust In These Vaccines
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and other health care issues, as well.
Younger People Get Vaccine In Indonesia Ahead Of Older Ones
News reports also look at the inability of many poorer countries to obtain the vaccines.
Study: Black Suicides Spiked In Early Days Of Pandemic
The Hopkins study found that while suicide deaths among Blacks doubled during the shutdown, deaths among whites appeared to drop by half. In other public health news, Tom Cruise yells at film crew about respecting COVID protocols.
For Now, Chicago Hospital Can’t Close
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted to reject a plan to close Chicago’s Mercy Hospital on the city’s Southside. Trinity Health, the hospital’s owner, said it will return to the board in 2021. Other industry news is on insurance, discrimination and more.
Confidence Grows For A Stimulus Bill
It now looks like Congress might pass a bill with some financial relief. In other news, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says lawmakers who refuse to wear a mask won’t be allowed to speak in Congress.
Trump Has No Role In Vaccine Rollout
President Donald Trump isn’t playing much of a role in the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, either because he doesn’t want to or because the new team coming into the White House doesn’t want him to. Plus, a look at the “deep state” scientists who helped develop a vaccine.
