Latest KFF Health News Stories
Court: Tennessee Can Enforce Down Syndrome Abortion Ban
Media outlets report on news from Tennessee, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Minnesota, California and Alaska.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Co-Founder Pat Quinn Dies At Age 37
The challenge raised more than $220 million around the world for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Quinn died seven years after being diagnosed. News is also on cooking burns, unsafe COVID practices, new masks, and more.
Bill Would End Schools’ Use Of Student Seclusion, Curb Physical Restraints
The bill, called the Keeping All Students Safe Act, would apply nationally to all schools that receive federal funds. ProPublica takes a thorough look at the proposed legislation.
Walmart Health Expands In Chicago
Other health industry names in the news include Sanford Health, UW Health and the U.S. Indian Health Service.
A Vaccine People Already Get May Help Prevent COVID, Too
A small study found low death rates in coronavirus patients with high MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccination rates. Older adults—including virtually all people born before 1957—likely have MMR antibodies already, but they may have waned over time. “Based upon our study, it would be prudent to vaccinate those over 40,” co-author David Hurley said.
CMS Releases Rule That Revamps Organ Transplant Distribution
The Trump administration says the regulation’s goal is to make more organs available and provide transparency. About 113,000 people are on the waiting list for kidneys, livers, hearts, lungs, pancreases and intestines.
Biden Pushing Congress To Kick Start Stimulus Negotiations
Fearing a looming “double-dip” recession next year, President-elect Joe Biden is pressing lawmakers to take up another coronavirus economic relief package.
More Lawmakers Infected By Coronavirus
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Georgia), who was tested multiple times with mixed results, appeared with Vice President Mike Pence at a campaign rally on Friday. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Florida) and Reps. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin) and Joe Courtney (D-Connecticut) all tested positive for COVID-19.
Trump Unveils Drug-Price Rules, Also Uses Moment To Slam Vaccine Makers
President Donald Trump accused Pfizer “and others” of delaying vaccine trial results for political reasons — without offering evidence to support the accusation.
More Americans Than Ever Are Sick Enough With COVID To Be Hospitalized
Daily hospitalizations broke records for the 13th day in a row, with no end in sight. Over 3 million new cases have been reported in November, with a week still to go — bumping the total U.S. cases during the pandemic to 12 million.
Fauci, Other Health Experts Press On Against Large Thanksgiving Gatherings
The nation’s top infectious disease expert urged Americans to conduct a “risk-benefit assessment” before getting together. “Every family is different. Everyone has a different level of risk that they want to tolerate,” he said.
Thanksgiving Travel Already Spiking As People Ignore Advice To Stay Home
A new poll shows that 1 in 3 parents think the benefits of getting together for Thanksgiving is worth the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.
Regeneron’s Antibody Treatment Gets FDA Emergency Authorization
On Saturday the FDA granted emergency use authorization for REGN-COV2, Regeneron’s therapy that is a cocktail of two monoclonal antibodies. While the drug was still experimental it was given to President Donald Trump.
Vaccine Rollout?: Delay Of Freezers, Short Shelf Life Could Stymie Plans
“We really don’t want to lose a drop of this stuff, so it’s a concern. And I don’t have all the answers for how we’re going to do this yet,” said Paul Cieslak, Oregon’s medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations.
First Vaccine Could Be Administered In US As Early As Dec. 11
Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientific adviser for Operation Warp Speed, said that if approvals proceed as expected, the nation’s vaccination program could start by mid-December and that 70% of Americans could be inoculated by mid-May.
AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 Vaccine Prevents Virus In Average Of 70% Cases
Two dosing regimens were tested by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford — one regimen showed 90% efficacy while the other showed 62%.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Who Gets The Vaccine First? Depends On Who You Ask; Lessons On Hoarding Virus Therapies
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Perspectives: Masking Up For Thanksgiving; Getting Good Care; Keeping Schools Open
How honest will people be about the size of their bubbles during the holidays? Opinion pages focus on that issue and other COVID topics.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on masks, tattoos, wasp venom, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Obamacare, death doulas and more.
