Latest KFF Health News Stories
China Warns About Frozen Foods From Severely Stricken Countries
Global developments are reported from China, Mexico, Italy, Israel, India, Greenland, Canada, England, Scotland, Belgium, Noway, Germany and Switzerland.
DeSantis Cancels All Restrictions In Florida
“We’re not closing anything going forward,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Friday. Also, schools were ordered to open weeks earlier than planned.
Felons No Longer Banned From Food Stamps In Michigan
Advocates hailed the decision impacting people with histories of drug crimes. News is from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine and other states, as well.
Hunger Pangs Grow Across US As Pandemic Worsens Food Insecurity
Food banks continue to see a rise in demand, even in affluent areas. Meanwhile, grocery stores are beginning to stockpile necessities in preparation for a possible winter rush.
Grief, Sadness And Stress: The Unseen Toll Of COVID-19
Americans of all ages and races are buckling under the immense anxiety of the pandemic.
Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak Tied To Dried Mushrooms
COVID news is on the pandemic’s impact on households, working mothers, home care workers and the most vulnerable. Other news reports are on HIV, masking, wildfire dangers and more, as well.
Whitmer Orders K-5 Students To Wear Masks In Michigan
Schools news is on a lack of data being shared by Georgia health officials; one older teacher’s resolve to open her classroom; higher education’s punishment of partying students, and more.
Premera Blue Cross To Pay Nearly $7M For Data Breach
It is the highest fine behind a $16 million penalty paid by Anthem in 2018. News is on layoffs at Children’s Minnesota, a mental health unit closure at Mercy Iowa City and more.
Japan Approves Gilead’s Filgotinib After FDA Rejected It
The rheumatoid arthritis drug, which has been touted as a potential blockbuster, will be sold under the name Jyseleca. The FDA had raised concerns about sperm toxicity, especially for the higher, 200-mg dose. The Japan go-ahead covers the 200 mg and 100 mg tablets.
How 1 Million COVID Victims Have Helped Scientists, Researchers
People who have died from the coronavirus, especially ones who took part in studies, have helped reveal which drugs do or don’t help. Other news is on pregnancy, aerosols and more.
Military Deeply Embedded In ‘Operation Warp Speed’ Leadership
Military personnel vastly outnumber civilian scientists among the 90 people leading the federal vaccine development initiative, an organizational chart obtained by Stat News shows.
Biden Campaign Laughs Off Trump’s Debate Drug Test Suggestion
Health care issues, including coronavirus management, the Affordable Care Act and drug prices, are expected to feature heavily during the first debate between President Donald Trump and the Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden — an event that will break with past debate traditions, like the candidates’ handshake and a large audience, due to COVID-19.
HHS Reallocates $300M From CDC For Ad Campaign; Celebs Defend Involvement
According to a report from Politico, the videos featuring administration officials and celebrities aim to “defeat despair” about the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the people taped, actor Dennis Quaid and gospel singer CeCe Winans, say their involvement is not political.
Suicides Up 20% In Military; Army Considers Shortening Deployments
An Associated Press report found that there was an overall dip in military suicides during the first three months of 2020 compared with the same time last year. But when the pandemic hit in the spring, the numbers increased.
Can Trump Deliver On Promise Of $200 Drug Cards To Medicare Beneficiaries?
Who benefits, where the money will come from and whether President Donald Trump’s announced action is legal are among the thorny questions White House officials say they are still sorting out.
Where Amy Coney Barrett Stands On Reproductive Rights, Health Care
President Donald Trump’s nominee for the high court has been described as a devotee of the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom she worked as a law clerk. On the subject of abortion, Scalia wrote that the Constitution has nothing to say about it and that states should decide the question for themselves. There is no reason to believe Barrett disagrees.
Biden, Democrats Say Republicans Rushing Supreme Court Pick To Kill Obamacare
With little chance of blocking the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in the Republican-controlled Senate, Democrats are focusing their campaign messaging on the potential threat posed to the Affordable Care Act.
Fall Surge Picks Up: Positivity Rates, Hospitalizations Rise In Many States
Positive test rates of 5% can be a sign of undetected coronavirus cases in a community — North and South Dakota both have rates above 25%. Meanwhile, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and Utah report record numbers of new cases and New York state, a onetime hot spot, shows signs of another spike.
US Likely Far Off From Herd Immunity: Less Than 10% Have COVID Antibodies
A new study published in The Lancet found that only 9% of 28,500 blood samples from dialysis patients in 46 states tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.
Viewpoints: What Does It Say When A State’s Leader Gets COVID?; No Time To Ease Up On Wearing Masks
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
