Latest KFF Health News Stories
Azar Reportedly Reversed FDA Chief On Testing Policy; Schumer Calls For Him To Go
Politico reports that HHS Secretary Alex Azar revoked the FDA’s ability to check the quality of COVID-19 tests developed by individual labs for their own use, over objections from FDA chief Stephen Hahn. The growing reports of turmoil at HHS prompted Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to call for Azar’s immediate resignation.
Ranks Of Uninsured Rose Again In 2019, Before Pandemic Even Hit
The latest Census Bureau report finds the trend of decreased numbers of Americans with health insurance continued for a third year under President Donald Trump’s presidency.
Caputo Apologizes To HHS Team For False Accusations, Keeps Job For Now
Reports emerge of the closed-door apologies HHS spokesman Michael Caputo made to his boss, HHS Secretary Alex Azar, and other agency colleagues following controversial and unfounded remarks he made on Facebook. Caputo was not fired but could take medical leave.
‘In Many Ways, I Up-Played It’: Trump Now Denying He Downplayed COVID Threat
Fielding questions at a town hall in Philadelphia on Tuesday, President Donald Trump reversed last week’s admission that he did play down the severity of the pandemic to the public in the early months, despite recently released audio recordings. He also made comments related to masks, herd immunity and racial justice issues.
Smoke From Historic Wildfires Smothers West, Blankets Much Of US
In the West, the dangerous air quality is deteriorating with hospitals reporting more cases of acute breathing issues. Public health experts are also worried about the longer-term health impact of prolonged smoke exposure. News outlets report on the latest wildfire conditions and what people can do to protect themselves.
Kids, Teens Who Died Of COVID Fell In Similar Risk Patterns As Adults
Just like adults, an underlying health condition can leave young people more vulnerable to a severe case of COVID-19, according to a CDC report looking into 121 fatal coronavirus cases in people below the age of 21. Racial disparities were found as well, with two-thirds of the cases among Black and Hispanic youth.
Black, Pacific Islander Mothers In San Francisco Get Stipends To Improve Outcomes
Babies of these moms are twice as likely to be born prematurely. Also, the mothers die more often than white mothers. More public health news is on the HPV vaccine, mask wearing and HIV, as well.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Perspectives: Time To Prepare For Toll COVID Takes On Organs; Lessons On Resiliency, Second Surges
Opinion writers express views about these public health issues and others.
Mexican Borders Reopen For Nonessential Travel From US
All land and sea borders had been closed since March 21, although flights had largely continued during that time. Other news is from Germany, Panama and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Pa.’s COVID Shutdown Orders Were Unconstitutional, Federal Judge Rules
“The solution to a national crisis can never be permitted to supersede the commitment to individual liberty that stands as the foundation of the American experiment,” U.S. District Judge William Stickman IV, a Trump appointee, said in his opinion.
Masks: Counterfeits; Impact On Kids; Debates About Safety Vs. Freedom
Customs seized a shipment of N95 masks from China that failed a safety test. More mask news is on questions parents have about covering the faces of children, ads in Michigan to encourage use and more.
Surveillance Failure: COVID Spread Undetected In US For Weeks, New Report Finds
Washington was hit by a strain from China, while a strain from Europe infected parts of New York and Connecticut. A different report looks at how inadequate monitoring of travelers in January impacted U.S. spread. Other news is on testing in underserved communities and different types of testing and tracing, as well.
VA Pulls System Offline After Data On 46,000 Vets Is Exposed
Public health news is also on the mental health of mothers, dental treatment for seniors, “systemic” head injuries at protests and more.
Election Officials Counting On Younger People To Help At Polls
The shortage of older volunteers may lead to long lines and closed polling locations, a situation that occurred in Milwaukee in April. In more health developments: hospitals in vacation towns, HIV patients and reminders to get the flu shot, as well.
Quarantined Mizzou Students Say School Forgot To Bring Them Food
In other higher-education developments: students at Michigan State are quarantining after an “alarming” outbreak of cases; Arizona State University says nearby bars aren’t following COVID protocol; LSU students who get coronavirus tests will have priority for football tickets; and more.
Kaiser Permanente Is First Health System To Win Carbon-Neutral Status
The health insurance company is not affiliated with Kaiser Health News (KHN) or KFF. Other health systems in the news include UnitedHealthcare, Lifespan, Care New England, Northwestern Medicine, Palos Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Atlantic Health and CentraState Healthcare.
NYC Schools Not Ready To Open Next Week, Teachers Union Says
School staffers are concerned about “basic procedures and supplies” and school building ventilation in place when they returned last week to prepare for the scheduled reopening, The Wall Street Journal reports.
4 In 10 Americans Know Someone Who Was Hospitalized Or Died From COVID
The Pew Research Center conducted the poll in August. The proportion of Hispanics who knew someone (46%) more than doubled since the April/May survey. Other hospital news reports on music therapy, inequalities and on-site telehealth.
