Latest KFF Health News Stories
Testing Slows When Public Health Experts Say US Needs To Ramp Up
With coronavirus results delayed in many cases, some states say they are limiting the number of test conducted to give labs time to catch up. Other testing and contact tracing developments are also in the news.
PPE Supply Shortages: FDA Makes List Of What Might Run Out
Some rural hospitals and other health care groups struggle to keep key supplies in stock, and a nurses group warns new spikes could lead to early pandemic-like shortages. News is also on how some industries are adapting to the need for new supplies.
Poll: 35% Of Americans Won’t Get COVID Vaccine
Hopes for defeating the coronavirus are pinned to an eventual vaccine, yet only 60% of Americans polled say they will get inoculated. Other vaccine news reports on “challenge” trials, more safety concerns and other development pipeline news.
Doctor Of ‘Humble Beginnings’ Hopes To Inspire Young People In Louisiana
Media outlets report on a Black security guard turned doctor at Baton Rouge General Medical Center, a Rhode Island physician helping patients figure out voting and other stories about medical professionals.
Appeals Court: Trump Violated Law By Stopping ACA Subsidies For Low-Income Patients
The ACA established cost-sharing subsidies for individuals whose incomes were below 250% of the federal poverty level. Also, Pennsylvania is one of six states shifting in the next several years from the federal insurance exchange to run their own online marketplaces.
Inconsistent ICD-10 Codes Could Hinder COVID Symptom Tracking
Health industry news covers disease codes, hospital volume, medical malpractice lawsuits, efforts to battle hunger, financial news and more.
House Returning To Vote On Postal Funding
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling back the House of Representatives to deal with emergency funding for the postal service.
Democrats’ Pandemic-Altered ‘Ghost Convention’ Starts Today
Expect to hear plenty of criticism of President Donald Trump’s handling of the pandemic and health care policy as Democrats prepare to nominate Joe Biden as their presidential candidate.
Pentagon Proposes $2.2 Billion In Cuts That Could Gut Military Health Care
Defense Secretary Mike Esper’s budget-slashing efforts put health care services provided to veterans and active service members in the crosshairs. And an internal Pentagon report finds that not enough mental health care is being provided to its troops.
And Another Departure: HHS CIO Resigns
The Department of Health and Human Services’ chief information officer, José Arrieta, will leave the agency at the end of the month. Arrieta’s team is responsible for the controversial migration of COVID-19 hospital data from CDC to HHS.
Two Top CDC Officials Appointed By Trump Quit Agency
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s chief of staff and deputy chief of staff resigned to start their own consulting firm.
FDA Signs Off On Fast, Inexpensive Saliva Test
FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn called the development ”groundbreaking.” The test is also much less intrusive test than the nasal test.
170,000 People In US Have Died From COVID-19
As the nation passes that tragic mark — with a lack of collective mourning that could be damaging, mental health experts say — new confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. hit the lowest daily level since June.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Congress, We’re All Tired, So Forget Recess; Debate About College Football Is Insane
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Opinion writers weigh in on how to help end the pandemic and other health issues.
Global news is from New Zealand, North Korea, South Korea, England, Belgium, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Nigeria, Morocco and others, as well.
Sun Belt States See Uptick In Nursing Home Deaths; Texas Limits Visits At Care Facilities
Media outlets report on news from Florida, Mississippi, Texas, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Georgia, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Idaho and Hawaii.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on children’s mental health, the New York City subway, quarantine envy, poverty, AIDS quilts, Kamala Harris, former NFL player Josh Morgan and more.
Study: Newborns With More Body Fat At Higher Risk Of Childhood Obesity
In other public health news: wildfires in the West, the opioid epidemic, psoriasis drugs, plant-based meat alternatives and more.
