Latest KFF Health News Stories
Problems With Covid Testing Persist
False test results, consequences of delays and now confusion with colds and flu plague the response to COVID. Also, more news on how the sports industry is dealing with testing.
Potential Super-Spreader Event, A Massive Wedding, Averted
Other events that drew massive crowds are linked to the spread of the coronavirus to a large number of people.
Millennials Are Struggling With Mental, Physical Health, Study Finds
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association analysis found that rates of depression — as well as alcohol, tobacco and drug use — are rising.
Despite FDA’s Request, Company Says It Won’t Pull Premature Birth Drug
The FDA says evidence doesn’t show that Makena is effective for its approved use, but AMAG Pharmaceuticals wants a hearing to review its rationale. Other companies in the news include Evotec, Eli Lilly, Disarm Therapeutics, AstraZeneca and more.
50 Employees Of Kansas Hospital — Including The CEO — Get COVID
Twenty-six of the infected personnel at Gove County Medical Center in Quinter, Kansas have recovered and two remained hospitalized as of Oct. 16. Other health industry news is on PPE stockpiles, financially troubled dental practices, nursing, medical real estate and more.
Scientists Try To Unravel COVID’s Secrets
Do car emissions make COVID worse? Why do more men die than women? Researchers — including a 14-year-old from Texas — are getting closer to finding answers.
Odds Of A Stimulus Bill Remain Slim
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate will vote on a $500 billion coronavirus relief package, but Nancy Pelosi says it is unlikely to happen before Election Day.
After a surge of early voting across the country, election officials now brace for Election Day and in-person voting altered by the coronavirus.
Conflict Rife Among Trump’s COVID Advisers
Dissension among the White House coronavirus advisers is hampering efforts to fight the pandemic. Much of the blame is placed on Scott Atlas, who advocates for a passive herd immunity response and no masks.
Trump, Biden Paint Dire Pictures Of Pandemic’s Future If The Other Is Elected
Donald Trump tells his supporters that more lockdowns are in store if Joe Biden wins the White House. Meanwhile, Biden says the situation will get even worse under Trump who “continues to lie to us about the circumstances.”
Issues Of Violence And The Pandemic Command Trump’s Trip To Michigan
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — recently the target of a kidnapping plot related to her coronavirus lockdown orders — charged that President Donald Trump is “inciting this kind of domestic terrorism” after he seemingly encouraged chants of “lock her up” at a Saturday campaign rally in the state.
No Vaccine Yet, But States Organize Distribution Plans
They also want $8.4 billion from Congress to pay for the rollout.
Judge Stops Trump Administration From Stripping Food Stamps At Time When So Many Are Hungry
A Department of Agriculture rule would have slashed benefits for as many as 700,000 Americans. A federal judge struck it down Sunday, saying that the Trump administration failed to provide adequate justification or acknowledge the impact of such a change during the pandemic.
CMS To Penalize Labs Taking More Than Two Days To Process COVID Tests
In an effort to speed up the delivery of COVID-19 test results, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says it will pay less to labs that take longer than 2 days.
CVS and Walgreens To Distribute Vaccine to Nursing Homes
Two large national pharmacy chains, CVS and Walgreens, have agreed to distribute COVID vaccine to nursing homes at no cost. Meanwhile, CVS says it will hire 15,000 people, 10,000 of them pharmacy technicians.
No Vaccine Application From Pfizer Before The Election, CEO Says
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says his company’s mid-October target to apply for FDA emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine candidate has shifted to mid-November, at the earliest.
‘Third Wave’ Set To Swamp US; Planet Hits 40M COVID Cases
Health care professionals brace for the fall resurgence’s influx of new coronavirus patients — and worry that the winter will be even worse. Meanwhile, the global tally of infections passes 40 million.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Magical Thinking, Fear, Self-Promotion Won’t Save Lives
Opinion writers express views about these approaches to the pandemic and others as well.
Editorial writers focus on these health care topics and others.
