Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Vaccine Rollout Guidelines: Put All Health Care Workers First, CDC Says

Morning Briefing

“It’s not just the doctors and nurses that are interacting with patients, but also the support personnel that help,” Dr. Jose Romero said. News is on the Pentagon’s work on the vaccine, the ethics of paying trial volunteers and more.

Denmark Plans To Cull 17 Million Mink Over COVID Mutation Fears

Morning Briefing

Health authorities found virus strains in humans and in mink that showed decreased sensitivity against antibodies, potentially lowering the efficacy of future vaccines. News is from Australia and South Korea, as well.

‘Uncertainty Is Stressful’: How To Cope With The Angsty Election Wait

Morning Briefing

Bad news for those stressed and anxious leading up to Election Day: it’s going to continue for awhile longer. So be kind to each other and check out tips for alleviating the strain and exhaustion.

Proposal Would Force HHS To Review Its Regulations Every 10 Years

Morning Briefing

Rules would expire after that time if the agency didn’t reassess them. HHS Secretary Alex Azar said: “With HHS regulatory responsibilities as wide-ranging as food safety, drug approval, adoption and childcare and healthcare financing, it’s essential that we know … whether we’re executing on these responsibilities in a way that maximizes benefits [and] minimizes costs.”

‘We Need To Do It’: McConnell Wants COVID-Relief Bill By End Of The Year

Morning Briefing

The Senate majority leader is fresh off his own reelection Tuesday. Meanwhile, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman warned Thursday that the United States needs a “really, really big” stimulus package to keep the economy afloat because the U.S. hasn’t managed to contain the coronavirus.

COVID Crisis Tops Any Biden Transition Planning

Morning Briefing

Though he has not yet secured the presidency, former Vice President Joe Biden is launching transition planning that includes a COVID-19 task force and cabinet nominations that can get through a Republican-controlled Senate — all while fighting legal challenges from President Donald Trump in court.

Biden Edges Toward Magic Number To Win As Trump Files Lawsuits

Morning Briefing

Ongoing vote counts in a handful of battleground states are under intense scrutiny as Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden stands just a few Electoral College votes away from a projected victory. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump contests the process in court.