Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fauci: For Safety’s Sake, ‘Bite The Bullet’ And Cancel Thanksgiving
A surge in COVID cases across the United States, as well as a lack of precise information about how the virus spreads indoors, threatens holiday celebrations this year.
UnitedHealth Reports 10.3% Decrease In Quarterly Earnings Compared With Last Year
The insurer waived some costs and propped up providers during the pandemic. News is on a rapid growth in concentrated insurance markets and artificial intelligence, as well.
In Major Breakthrough, FDA Approves First Treatment For Ebola
With the approval, there are now both a vaccine — Merck’s Ervebo — and a therapeutic to battle Ebola Zaire, one of the deadliest infections known to humankind. The treatment, Inmazeb, is an antibody cocktail made by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the same company that is developing a monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID that was given to President Donald Trump this month.
Russia Approves Second COVID Vaccine
EpiVacCorona, described as a “peptide-based shot,” has yet to even begin large-scale trials. Russia announced its first vaccine, Sputnik V, on Aug. 11.
Stimulus Deal Before Election Will Be ‘Difficult,’ Mnuchin Says
Negotiations over an additional coronavirus relief package remain stalled, as both sides are still at odds over issues like employer liability and oversight of aid to states.
Postal Service To Reverse Changes That Delayed Ballots, Prescription Drugs
In settlement of a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, the U.S. Postal Service agreed to reverse recent changes that have delayed mail delivery in the lead-up to the election.
Biden Campaigns On Pandemic, Health Care Plans In Lead Up To Dueling Town Halls
As the presidential candidates prepare for tonight’s separate town hall events — to be controversially broadcast at the same time — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden hones his health care message to voters. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump downplays the COVID pandemic.
Tennessee’s Abortion Waiting Period Law Struck Down
In his ruling, federal judge Bernard Friedman called Tennessee’s 48-hour waiting period “gratuitously demeaning” as well as “highly insulting and paternalistic” to women seeking an abortion. Meanwhile, Texas’ attorney general indicates he will seek an appeal of another abortion law just blocked in court.
CMS: Seniors Will Get COVID Vaccine For Free
The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services is also adding additional telehealth services to coverage.
Private White House Warnings About Virus’ Threat Inflamed Market Sell-Off
The rosy picture the Trump administration painted for the public in the early weeks of the coronavirus outbreak contrasts with the more dire closed-door briefings provided by economists to administration officials and Republican donors and passed along to investors, the New York Times reports. In other administration news: Dr. Deborah Birx’s role in undermining WHO and efforts to halt Nevada from using Chinese-made COVID test kits.
In Letter, Scores Of Scientists Strongly Denounce Herd Immunity
The letter is a direct rebuttal to reports this week that Trump administration is pushing the controversial approach. “This is a dangerous fallacy unsupported by scientific evidence,” the letter says. “Uncontrolled transmission in younger people risks significant morbidity and mortality across the whole population.”
Barron Trump Contracted COVID-19, Now Tests Negative
Melania Trump revealed that her son, Barron, did test positive for the coronavirus. The 14-year-old did not show any symptoms, while the first lady says that she experienced mild ones.
Barrett’s Confirmation To High Court Likely A Sure Thing As Hearings End
As she did the previous two days of hearings, Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, spent most of Wednesday parrying senators’ questions rather than answering them, although she was feistier in her responses to Democrats seeking to put her on the spot, Politico reports.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on topics about leadership during the pandemic and other topics, as well.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Perspectives: Sky-High Prices; Medicare; and More
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
CMS May Be Overpaying For Certain Molecular Tests
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
First Reinfection Death: Woman In Netherlands Dies
News is also from Luxembourg, Germany, France, Turkey and American Samoa.
Hurricane, Wildfire Hardships Grow; Cases Rise In More Than 30 States
News is from Louisiana, California, New Mexico, South Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio and Vermont.
