Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: CDC Quit Trying To Defeat COVID; Distrust In Science Is Spreading
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
How The World Is Faring: Indonesia Also Battles Flood Of Medical Waste
Global news is from Indonesia, Hong Kong, France, Poland, Russia, Portugal, India, Australia, Spain and Canada.
COVID Worries, Heat Add To Growing List Of Problems Following Hurricane Laura
As temperatures soar higher than 100 degrees, 300,000 households and businesses in Louisiana remain without power. People seek shelter in evacuation centers and hotels.
Calif. Chicken Plant Closes For Cleaning; Georgia Extends Restrictions on Businesses
Media outlets report on news from California, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan and Virginia.
Overdose Deaths In San Francisco Rose 70% Last Year; This Year May Be Worse
Other topics in the news: vaping; orthostatic hypotension; and radioactive fallout from a nuclear test in 1945.
Virus Wreaks Havoc On Undocumented Immigrants Without Health Insurance
It’s difficult to track how many undocumented immigrants have tested positive for COVID-19. Many live in crowded homes with multiple generations of families or work at jobs where possible exposure to the virus is high, WBUR reports.
More Schools Open; Colleges Remain A Trouble Spot
Florida students returned to in-person classes as President Trump’s new pandemic adviser labels parents’ concerns as “hysterical.” COVID outbreaks continue on college campuses.
Visiting To Resume At Federal Prisons
Inmates who are not in isolation or quarantine will be allowed two visitors a month with social distancing rules in effect. Prison news is on Georgia’s efforts to cut costs and COVID cases in Tennessee and West Virginia.
Two Studies: Saliva Tests For Virus Deemed Reliable
The rich and connected get faster test results with “concierge medical practices.” Other testing news is from Las Vegas, which is conducting a testing surge.
More Research Emphasizes Aerosol Transmission Of COVID
A summary of the latest research on COVID and other health issues, mostly COVID.
Local Health Departments ‘Running On Empty’
COVID-19 has decimated the staffing, budgets and morale of health departments across the United States.
Court Rules On Anthem And Cigna Failed Merger
A court ruled neither of the two giant health care insurers can recover damages from their failed merger attempt three years ago. Also, other health industry news from across the country.
CMS Rule Aims To Quickly Cover All ‘Breakthrough’ Medical Devices
If the proposal is approved, the FDA would clear these devices quickly because they treat an unmet medical need. Other medicare news is on changes Joe Biden wants to make; and Medicaid news is from Colorado and Mississippi, as well.
Mylan Launches Semglee, A Biosimilar Insulin, At Discounted Price
Other pharmaceutical companies in the news include Vir, GlaxoSmithKline, Xeris and Purdue Pharma.
FDA Head Promises Honest Science On Vaccine Approval
Stephen Hahn, the FDA commissioner, vows to resist pressure to release a COVID vaccine before it’s ready. He suggests he would resign if he can’t resist it.
Trump Retweets False CDC Death Count Claim, Twitter Deletes It
A QAnon-driven conspiracy that baselessly questions the official U.S. coronavirus death count is circulating on social media, including by President Donald Trump. Twitter removed his retweet. Its just the latest example of the uphill climb the company faces in battling dangerous misinformation.
Dozens Of Secret Service Agents Get COVID During Trump’s Travels
As Donald Trump and Mike Pence continue to travel for campaign rallies during the pandemic, the Secret Service agents assigned to protect them have been exposed to the coronavirus. The Washington Post reveals previously unreported cases.
Senate Republicans May Offer New Stimulus Bill Soon, Mnuchin Says
“Hopefully Mitch [McConnell] will enter new legislation next week,” Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told Fox Business Network, as current coronavirus relief negotiations between the White House and House Democrats remain deadlocked.
