Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
World Holds Its Breath As US Votes
America’s allies and rivals are closely watching the presidential election today. In other global developments: the Vatican has clarified the pope’s comments about same-sex unions; Germany is hoping antigen tests can keep its elderly population safe during the newest COVID wave; and more.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Asia’s Success With COVID; Pros, Cons Of Making The FDA Independent
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and on other public health issues, as well.
With Suicides Up 70%, Wichita Police Encourage People To Seek Help
Media outlets report on news from Kansas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, California, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maryland, as well.
Many Colleges Plan To Test Students Before Thanksgiving Break
Some colleges will require it. SUNY chancellor Jim Malatras called it “a smart, sensible policy that protects students’ families and hometown communities and drastically reduces the chances of COVID-19 community spread.”
Advocacy Group Pushes Gilead To Cancel Voucher For Remdesivir
The vouchers are provided to give companies additional incentives, but Public Citizen insists Gilead is raking in profits from the COVID medicine. News is on a COVID vaccine, a recall of Metformin, a glucose lowering drug, and more.
No Letup For Hospitals, Nurses
Health systems are scrambling to keep up with the coronavirus surge and to find enough nursing help, especially in rural areas and at small hospitals.
Pregnant Women At Higher Risk Of Severe COVID Illness, Death
The CDC research indicates that Black, Hispanic and Asian women face higher risk than White women. Yet the risk overall for pregnant women remains small. Other research news on the coronavirus touches on the FDA’s vaccine effectiveness cutoff; rapid testing; immunity; face masks; and more.
CMS Issues Final Rule On At-Home Dialysis Payment Expansion
Other recent actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services penalize safety-net hospitals with excessive readmissions and updated long-term care guidance for Medicaid agencies.
Supreme Court Delays Ruling On Mississippi’s 15-Week Abortion Ban
The case, in which virtually all abortions would be banned after 15 weeks, is regarded as a major test for new judge Amy Coney Barrett. News is on Black Lives Matters, as well.
Obamacare Changes, Stimulus Top Pelosi’s Agenda If Dems Retain House
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi previewed her 2021 legislative plans, if her party still controls the House of Representatives. Whether Democrats also win control of the Senate will largely dictate what future bills actually proceed.
Several States Vote On Abortion, Pot, ‘Magic Mushrooms,’ Stem Cells, More
Some of the state initiatives up for vote include: Colorado and Louisiana will consider measures that could chip away at abortion access; Arizona, New Jersey, South Dakota, Montana and Mississippi will vote on new rules for marijuana; California will vote on stem cell research, dialysis clinic rules and more; Oregon will consider legalizing magic mushrooms; and Washington state is asking voters whether they want to require public schools to provide comprehensive sex ed.
A Pandemic Record: More Than 61,000 Kids Diagnosed With COVID Last Week
Meanwhile, the Republican governor of Massachusetts announced a statewide mask mandate Monday for anyone over the age of 5; the governor of Ohio wrote an open letter asking all residents to come together to fight the “common enemy’; and infections have soared 167% in North Dakota.
‘Most Deadly Phase’: Birx Contradicts Trump On Election Eve
Dr. Deborah Birx called for aggressive action in an internal memo. Also, President Donald Trump fired up crowds, saying he might fire Dr. Anthony Fauci after the election for his stark COVID warnings.
Pandemic Misinformation Likely To Shape Election Day And Beyond
False information about candidates’ COVID plans, voting safety and other health issues circulating online has proven to be extremely difficult for social media giants to combat.
Will Violence Break Out? State Leaders, National Guard Prep For Possibility
The deeply divided presidential race has prompted concerns of intimidation at polling places or violence at subsequent demonstrations — no matter who wins the White House.
Last-Minute Court Wrangling Settles Fates Of Thousands Of Ballots
President Donald Trump criticized the Supreme Court’s decision Monday allowing Pennsylvania to count mail-in votes postmarked today. And lawsuits in Texas and Nevada were also decided. Meanwhile, state election officials brace for record absentee ballots sent in by voters concerned for their safety during a pandemic.
Voters Brace For A Novel Experience At Their Polling Places
Long lines, enhanced safety precautions and a whole lot more uncertainty than usual looms for Americans casting in-person ballots on Election Day.
How COVID Spikes May Impact Election Day Turnout In Key States
A nightmare scenario that state election officials have worried about for months has come to pass: voters will stand together in lines today as the virus is rapidly spreading in most parts of the nation, including the swing states that will decide the presidential and congressional races.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
