Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pandemic’s Fiscal Bite Forces Fairview Health To Close Clinics, Slash Jobs
Others in the news include the nation’s Catholic health system, Hendrick Health System, Shannon Health System, Community Health Systems, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Novant Health, Walden Biosciences, ARCH Venture Partners, UCB Ventures and Virta Health.
Moderna Vaccine Trial Hindered Without Enough Black, Latino Participants
Reuters reports that private contractors hired by Moderna have so far failed to recruit enough Black, Latino and Native American volunteers in clinical trials. Hesitancy among minority communities about participating in medical trials is rooted on past experiences.
CMS’ New Payment Rules Upset Some Hospital Groups; Others Say Changes Are Overdue
Among their concerns is a controversial plan to eliminate the list of procedures that can be done on an inpatient-only basis.
Democrats Wary Of Missing Info In Supreme Court Nominee’s Packet
In her questionnaire, Amy Coney Barrett omitted a reference to a 2006 anti-abortion newspaper advertisement that she signed.
The New Mask?: Pence Agrees To Plexiglass Dividers At VP Debate
Both sides agreed last week to spread the distance between the candidates from seven to 12 feet. Politico writes that plexiglass in the new visual reminder of the disease.
Will Next Week’s Debate Go On? Biden Says It Shouldn’t If Trump Still Infected
“I think if he still has COVID, we shouldn’t have a debate,” Democratic president nominee Joe Biden said of his opponent, President Donald Trump. Their next debate is scheduled Oct. 15 and is supposed to be a town hall format.
Whistleblower Quits Job At NIH, Says He’s Been Given No Work Since Sept. 4
Rick Bright was chief of the powerful Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority when he was abruptly reassigned in April to a lesser position at the National Institutes of Health after he complained about the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic.
Trump Ends Coronavirus Relief Talks — Then Tweets Otherwise
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin spoke by phone Tuesday afternoon just after the president called off negotiations. Mnuchin, according to Pelosi’s office, confirmed that talks were off. But hours later on Twitter, the president demanded that aid be passed.
FDA Sets Stringent Vaccine Approval Standards After White House Reverses Its Block
The FDA published guidelines requiring two months of safety information be included for any COVID-19 vaccine applying for emergency use authorization. Before giving surprise clearance, the White House previously blocked the strict standards, which make it unlikely any vaccine will be approved before Election Day.
Fauci’s Fall Warnings: Deaths Could Double, Vaccine Not Likely Soon
Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke at a virtual event Tuesday urging people to do what he says in order to save lives. Also, the New York Times looks at his recent “noninvolvement” with the administration. News is also on U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and the CDC’s Robert Redfield.
How The Special COVID Care Trump Received Differs From The Rest Of Us
The urgent and cutting-edge treatment plan helping President Donald Trump to battle COVID-19 is expected for a sitting president: early testing; a medevac; a phalanx of doctors; access to experimental drugs; and 24/7 monitoring. But the experience of any other American with COVID would never come close to that level of care.
White House Outbreak Spreads: Stephen Miller Has COVID, Joint Chiefs Isolate
The number continues to climb of known positive COVID-19 tests within the Trump administration or for people who work at or recently attended an event at the White House.
Trump’s Spin On COVID Exposure Dismays Experts, Labeled False By Facebook
A series of statements from President Donald Trump, downplaying the severity of the coronavirus he is under treatment for, has outraged public health experts and concerned his own allies. Facebook, which rarely takes action against misinformation posted by the president on its platform, took down Trump’s false claim comparing COVID-19 to the flu.
Trump’s Symptoms Improve On First Day Back At Virus-Struck White House
Dr. Sean Conley said President Donald Trump “had a restful first night at home, and today he reports no symptoms” from the COVID-19 infection. Still possibly contagious, Trump remains in the White House residence. The rest of the complex is emptier than usual due to staffers home after contracting the disease or quarantined.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Lessons On Magical, Fearless Thinking About COVID
Opinion writers express thoughts on President Donald Trump’s views after being released from the hospital and other pandemic topics.
Perspectives: The Negatives Of Ignoring Public Health Protocols; Testing Is Showing Its Limits
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others, as well.
WHO: ‘Vast Majority Of World’ At Risk Still; Europe’s Cases Top Spring’s Totals
Global news is from India, Spain, France, England, Iceland, Easter Island and other countries,
Even As Nation’s Cases Rise, HHS Promotes In-Person Support Systems
Modern Healthcare reports on ways in which the federal government will attempt to deal with the nation’s “deteriorating mental health” brought on by shutdown isolation and economic devastation. News is from South Dakota, Washington, Georgia, Michigan and Indiana, as well.
New Human Virus Linked To Small Animals Emerges In Alaska
A second person has been diagnosed with “Alaskapox,” first identified in 2015. Researchers said there’s no cause for alarm. Other public health news is on wildfire dangers to water, food recalls at Walmart and child abuse.
