Latest KFF Health News Stories
Feds Cracking Down On Hospitals That Don’t Report Daily COVID Data
The draft guidance is expected to be sent to hospitals this week. The government also wants hospitals to provide daily information on flu cases.
As Voter Safety And Politics Clash, Fight Over Mail-In Voting Ramps Up
The latest developments include: a ProPublica and WRAL News analysis that finds black voters in North Carolina are more than twice as likely to have their mail-in ballot rejected; how Ohio made voting decisions; a pending court ruling in Montana; and record early voting in Virginia.
Trump Refuses To Pledge To Peaceful Transition Of Power If He Loses Election
“Get rid of the ballots, and you’ll have a very — we’ll have a very peaceful, there won’t be a transfer, frankly. There’ll be a continuation,” President Donald Trump said of the uptick in mail-in voting due to the pandemic. “The ballots are out of control.”
Fauci Chides Paul For Distorting Facts On Herd Immunity
“I challenge that. You were not listening to what the director of the CDC said, that in New York, it’s about 22 percent. If you believe 22 percent is herd immunity, I believe you’re alone in that.” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease specialist, told Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) during the Senate hearing. The two men have clashed before, but Wednesday’s exchange was particularly pointed.
Health Agency Heads Field Heated Questions On Vaccines, Independence Of Scientists
FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, NIH infectious disease chief Anthony Fauci and CDC Director Robert Redfield testified on the state of the coronavirus pandemic before a Senate panel Wednesday.
Pediatricians ‘Sounding The Alarm’ After Children’s Health Care Takes Dive
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that vaccinations, screening for childhood diseases, visits to the dentist and mental health care dropped from March through May, when many doctors’ offices were closed. Still, CMS administrator Seema Verma said the absence of health care services “may have lifelong consequences for these vulnerable children.”
Trump Threatens To Nix FDA Proposal For Stricter Vaccine Standards
“That has to be approved by the White House. We may or may not approve it. That sounds like a political move,” President Donald Trump said about a draft FDA plan to apply tougher safety and efficacy requirements for emergency use approval of a COVID-19 vaccine.
More Contagious Viral Strain Dominates COVID Cases In Houston-Based Study
Nearly all of the samples taken in the more recent months of the pandemic for the largest U.S. genetic study of the virus that causes COVID-19 contained a mutation that makes it easier to transmit, though not deadlier.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Health Care Is On The Line Again; Sizzle Won’t Sell The Vaccine
Editorial writers express views on these public health topics and others.
Editorial writers focus on these pandemic topics and others.
COVID-Sniffing Dogs Will Scan Travelers At Finland Airport
News reports are also from England, Italy, and Japan.
Perspectives: Patients Can’t Make Health Care Decisions Without Knowing How Much Everything Costs
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Pharma Execs Balked At Trump Administration’s Plan To Send $100 Cash Cards To Seniors
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
New York City Raises Alarm About More Cases In Orthodox Jewish Communities
Media outlets report on news from New York, Maine, District of Columbia, Virginia, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin and more.
Colleges Helped To Spread COVID
Just what you’d think would happen, bringing college kids back to campus helped to refuel the spread of the coronavirus, a study says.
Drone Delivery Of COVID Tests Tried
Nine months into the pandemic, we’re still talking about faster delivery of coronavirus tests; now it’s drones.
Can Kids Trick-Or-Treat Safely? CDC Says They Should Stay Home.
Now for something really scary. “Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses,” the CDC says in just-released guidance that recommends avoiding traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. Meanwhile, families try to figure out how to celebrate Thanksgiving during a pandemic.
House OKs Bill To Halt Antitrust Immunity For Insurers, But Passage Unlikely
Similar bills have been considered in recent years, but none came to fruition. Also: Sam’s Club will offer telehealth subscriptions; Amazon expands virtual health care for employees; and more.
Study: N95 Face Masks Can Be Sterilized Simply
As shortages of N95 face masks persist, a study finds used ones can be sterilized with ultraviolet-C light. Another study finds 70% of Chinese-made N95s fail.
