Latest KFF Health News Stories
All Nursing Homes Must Now Test Workers For COVID, CMS Mandates
Facilities face financial penalties if they don’t test staff during an outbreak. The interim regulation is the first time the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has required such testing during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hospitals Must Report COVID Data Or Risk Medicare, Medicaid Funding
In new emergency rules, the Trump administration warned hospitals that it would revoke Medicare and Medicaid dollars if coronavirus patient data and test results are not reported to HHS. The reporting program was previously voluntary.
Not A Straight Line Down: Daily Cases Creep Back Up Last Two Days
While confirmed COVID-19 infections are down from last week’s levels, places like Illinois, Hawaii and Puerto Rico report surges.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Different Takes: Pros, Cons Of FDA’s Plasma Decision; Trump Plays Defense On Health Care Policies
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on these public health topics and others.
‘Roller Coaster’: Northern Californians Face More Dangerous Wildfires
The state was spared another round of fire-starting lightning storms, but residents are warned to stay away from homes in Northern California fire zones. California news is on masking up, nursing homes, progress on COVID, and more.
Six States Set Out To Track COVID Infections From Sturgis Motorcyle Rally
Cellphone data shows 61% of the counties in the U.S. have had visits from someone who attended the Sturgis, S.D., rally. State news is from Minnesota, Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, Washington, Louisiana, Texas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Maine and Montana, as well.
Threat Of Resurgent COVID Shutters Most Schools In Seoul
Also in global headlines: Germany’s travel warning for Paris and the French Riviera; questions of herd immunity in Brazil; virus lockdown in Gaza; and more.
Judge Blocks Florida Requirement To Hold In-Class Instruction
The Florida Education Association filed a lawsuit saying the rule violated a provision in Florida’s constitution. School news is from California, New Mexico, Texas, Montana, Alabama and Iowa.
Some Good News About Mosquitoes And Ticks: They Can’t Spread COVID
In other public health news: peaches pulled for possible salmonella; breastfeeding pods in Walmart stores; and a breakthrough in cartilage research.
Analysts Say Insurers’ Record Profits Will Be Tempered In Coming Months
Moody’s expects profits to deflate as insurers give funds back to customers, Modern Healthcare reports. Also in news about the health care marketplace: Google invests in a telemedicine company going public and a Colorado man learns that an uninsured patient is extremely vulnerable to exorbitant hospital bills.
Learning To Live With The Virus Doesn’t Have To Be Scary
Scientists map out scenarios of how humans might come to coexist with this new threat. News looks at developing immunity, retesting’s value, and more.
Researchers Probe Long-Term Effects Of COVID On Children
Although the majority of children experience mild illness, some are reporting symptoms that persist for weeks, or the development of post-viral syndromes, according to the Wall Street Journal. News outlets also report that the World Health Organization suggests masks for many kids, scientists are looking into the transmission risk from children and concerns about how to handle school safety.
Pharma Asks: Where Is Trump’s Drug Price Order?
The Trump administration has still not released the president’s executive order said to tie some U.S. drug prices to European drug prices. In other news: a disconnect on pill change alerts, and a unit of Sun Pharma settles allegations.
AstraZeneca Kicks Off Early-Stage Trial Of COVID Antibody Treatment
Also in virus treatment news: NIH plans to look at Gilead’s remdesivir-like compound; a new study out on remdesivir; and the dangers of oleandrin.
Uninsured In Texas Flock To Direct Primary Care Practices
Faced with skyrocketing health insurance premiums, families turn to a growing niche of primary care as a stop-gap alternative during the pandemic. News outlets also look at how unemployment and evictions are impacting Americans.
Census Results Affect States’ Health Spending
In 2017 alone, Census data helped direct $1.1 trillion in Medicaid and CHIP spending, according to the George Washington University Institute for Public Policy.
In Heated Exchange With Lawmakers, Postal Leader Defends Changes
“I am not engaged in sabotaging the election,” Postmaster General Louis DeJoy told a House committee, but President Donald Trump again Monday lashed out at Democrats’ push to have more people vote by mail.
GOP Speakers Praise Trump For ‘Quick Action And Leadership’ On COVID
Republicans speaking Monday night at the party’s convention met criticism of the president’s actions on the coronavirus response head-on, arguing that he helped turn the tide on the pandemic and saved thousands of lives.
