Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘Symptom-Free’ For 24 Hours, Trump Taking Remdesivir, Steroids For COVID
Dr. Sean Conley’s Wednesday update on President Donald Trump’s condition outlined the medications he’s still receiving and offered that the president has not received supplemental oxygen since leaving the hospital. White House aides decline to say if Trump is still testing positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Trump broke isolation to visit the Oval Office.
Hospitalizations Surge Anew As COVID Cases Rise In 39 States
With signs already pointing to the forecasted fall and winter wave of new infections, Dr. Anthony Fauci warns that the current U.S. death toll of over 210,000 could nearly double if states and citizens do not act.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers express views about the pandemic and other issues as well.
Viewpoints: Pros, Cons Of Not Fearing COVID; Lessons On Deciding Not To Protect Others
Editorial writers focus on these public health and mental health topics as well as other health topics.
Perspectives: Despite What Trump Says, Insulin Isn’t Affordable
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Female Duo Wins Nobel In Chemistry For Developing Gene-Editing Tools
Emmanuelle Charpentier, a French microbiologist, and Jennifer Doudna, an American biochemist, are the first women to jointly win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry,
Insulin Costs Up To 10 Times More In US Compared With Other Nations
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Longer Menstrual Cycles May Predict Premature Mortality
Long and irregular cycles aren’t uncommon, but there’s been little research into their link to mortality, according to researchers who analyzed data of nearly 80,000 women. Other public health news is on warnings about anti-anxiety medications, pesticides and the death of influential guitarist Eddie Van Halen from throat cancer.
Man Dies After Confronting Bar Patron For Not Wearing A Mask
As the country disagrees about the need to wear masks, 80-year-old Rocco Sapienza’s request cost him his life after he was shoved to the ground and hit his head, dying five days later. Other news is on COVID complications, attitudes about the pandemic and more.
Boston Hospital Plans To Launch Free Home Test
TestBoston will be offered by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Broad Institute to 10,000 patients. News is also from New York, the District of Columbia, North Dakota, Missouri, Florida and Texas.
Pandemic’s Fiscal Bite Forces Fairview Health To Close Clinics, Slash Jobs
Others in the news include the nation’s Catholic health system, Hendrick Health System, Shannon Health System, Community Health Systems, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Health, Walden Biosciences, ARCH Venture Partners, UCB Ventures and Virta Health.
Moderna Vaccine Trial Hindered Without Enough Black, Latino Participants
Reuters reports that private contractors hired by Moderna have so far failed to recruit enough Black, Latino and Native American volunteers in clinical trials. Hesitancy among minority communities about participating in medical trials is rooted on past experiences.
CMS’ New Payment Rules Upset Some Hospital Groups; Others Say Changes Are Overdue
Among their concerns is a controversial plan to eliminate the list of procedures that can be done on an inpatient-only basis.
Democrats Wary Of Missing Info In Supreme Court Nominee’s Packet
In her questionnaire, Amy Coney Barrett omitted a reference to a 2006 anti-abortion newspaper advertisement that she signed.
The New Mask?: Pence Agrees To Plexiglass Dividers At VP Debate
Both sides agreed last week to spread the distance between the candidates from seven to 12 feet. Politico writes that plexiglass in the new visual reminder of the disease.
Will Next Week’s Debate Go On? Biden Says It Shouldn’t If Trump Still Infected
“I think if he still has COVID, we shouldn’t have a debate,” Democratic president nominee Joe Biden said of his opponent, President Donald Trump. Their next debate is scheduled Oct. 15 and is supposed to be a town hall format.
Whistleblower Quits Job At NIH, Says He’s Been Given No Work Since Sept. 4
Rick Bright was chief of the powerful Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority when he was abruptly reassigned in April to a lesser position at the National Institutes of Health after he complained about the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic.
Trump Ends Coronavirus Relief Talks — Then Tweets Otherwise
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke by phone Tuesday afternoon just after the president called off negotiations. Mnuchin, according to Pelosi’s office, confirmed that talks were off. But hours later on Twitter, the president demanded that aid be passed.
FDA Sets Stringent Vaccine Approval Standards After White House Reverses Its Block
The FDA published guidelines requiring two months of safety information be included for any COVID-19 vaccine applying for emergency use authorization. Before giving surprise clearance, the White House previously blocked the strict standards, which make it unlikely any vaccine will be approved before Election Day.
