Latest KFF Health News Stories
COVID Fears Can’t Stop Standardized Tests, DeVos Says
In other education news: partying students force the State University of New York at Oneonta to cancel in-person classes; Democrats push for tobacco-free college campuses; and more.
Roche Gets Emergency OK For Test That Tells Difference Between Flu, COVID
Other names in the news include Biofourmis, Oncorus and more.
It’s Too Soon To Genetically Alter Embryos, Panel Says Of ‘CRISPR Babies’
An international panel of experts, assembled in the aftermath of one scientist’s secret use of CRISPR to “edit” the DNA of a human embryo, offers guidelines for the gene modifying technology.
CMS Updates Online Tools For Consumers Picking A Medicare Provider
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launches its new comparison platform, available on Medicare.gov, which consolidates eight tools in one spot.
Heart Inflammation And COVID Linked
A Penn State University doctor notes a high incidence of myocarditis among athletes who suffered with COVID-19, though it is not as high as the 30% that he initially stated.
Vaccine Timing And Candidates’ Health Become Election Issues
The timing of a vaccine announcement right before the election and the mental acuity of the candidates have emerged as the latest contentious issues in the presidential campaign.
Azar Says Election Timing Plays No Role In Vaccine Decisions
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told CBS This Morning that it is “very irresponsible how people are trying to politicize” coronavirus vaccine development.
Military Sites To Participate In Final Trials Of AstraZeneca’s Vaccine
The Pentagon reveals the five facilities that will participate in the Phase 3 trial.
‘Very, Very Low Chance’: Top Vaccine Adviser Downplays Chance Of Early Approval
Dr. Moncef Slaoui, the chief scientific adviser for the White House’s “Operation Warp Speed” vaccine program, spoke to NPR about the possibility that a COVID-19 vaccine could be granted Emergency Use Authorization before final clinical trials wrap up: “I think it’s extremely unlikely but not impossible.”
Trump Administration’s Abortion ‘Gag Rule’ Blocked In Maryland By Appeals Court
The rule bans doctors and other medical providers who receive government funding from referring patients for abortion services. In this latest ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit permanently blocked the measure in Maryland. The cases is expected to make its way to the Supreme Court.
US Threat To Withhold Anti-Doping Funds Could Ban American Athletes From Olympics
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency warned that U.S. athletes could be barred from participating in international sporting events if the Trump administration makes good on its efforts to pull back $2.7 million in annual funding.
Panel Will Review WHO’s Pandemic Response; Globe Passes 26M Cases
The 11-member independent panel will examine the early spread of the coronavirus and how the World Health Organization managed the public health crisis.
Labor Day Celebrations Bring Fears Of More COVID
With COVID-19 cases still “unacceptably high,” as Dr. Anthony Fauci put it, the holiday weekend could bring even more outbreaks.
Tyson Foods Will Open Health Clinics For Employees Near Some Meat Plants
The Springdale, Arkansas-based company processes about 20% of all beef, pork and chicken in the United States. Earlier this year, the families of three Tyson workers in Iowa who died from the coronavirus sued the company, saying it knowingly put employees at risk. Other coronavirus public health news is on flu season, sleep disruptions and more.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Pros, Cons Of Pushing Out An Early Vaccine; All Eyes Focus On The FDA’s Integrity
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
COVID Has Killed More Health Workers In Mexico Than Anywhere Else
Global developments are also reported out of Thailand, Britain, Japan, Switzerland, Congo and other nations.
Families Question Why Hospitals Told Black COVID Patients To Go Home
A ProPublica investigation in Louisiana found what it called “a striking pattern: Before they died, about two dozen patients first sought care at a hospital, which then discharged them, in many cases sending them home to die with hospice care. All were Black. The vast majority came from Ochsner Health, the largest hospital network in Louisiana.”
Research Roundup: COVID; Acute Myocardial Infarction; COPD; Giant Cell Arteritis
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Medicare To Pay Hospitals $3.5B More For Acute Inpatient Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a final rule estimated to boost Medicare spending by 2.7% for acute care inpatient hospital services.
