Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden Campaign Laughs Off Trump’s Debate Drug Test Suggestion
Health care issues, including coronavirus management, the Affordable Care Act and drug prices, are expected to feature heavily during the first debate between President Donald Trump and the Democratic nominee, former Vice President Joe Biden — an event that will break with past debate traditions, like the candidates’ handshake and a large audience, due to COVID-19.
HHS Reallocates $300M From CDC For Ad Campaign; Celebs Defend Involvement
According to a report from Politico, the videos featuring administration officials and celebrities aim to “defeat despair” about the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the people taped, actor Dennis Quaid and gospel singer CeCe Winans, say their involvement is not political.
Suicides Up 20% In Military; Army Considers Shortening Deployments
An Associated Press report found that there was an overall dip in military suicides during the first three months of 2020 compared with the same time last year. But when the pandemic hit in the spring, the numbers increased.
Can Trump Deliver On Promise Of $200 Drug Cards To Medicare Beneficiaries?
Who benefits, where the money will come from and whether President Donald Trump’s announced action is legal are among the thorny questions White House officials say they are still sorting out.
Where Amy Coney Barrett Stands On Reproductive Rights, Health Care
President Donald Trump’s nominee for the high court has been described as a devotee of the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom she worked as a law clerk. On the subject of abortion, Scalia wrote that the Constitution has nothing to say about it and that states should decide the question for themselves. There is no reason to believe Barrett disagrees.
Biden, Democrats Say Republicans Rushing Supreme Court Pick To Kill Obamacare
With little chance of blocking the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett in the Republican-controlled Senate, Democrats are focusing their campaign messaging on the potential threat posed to the Affordable Care Act.
Fall Surge Picks Up: Positivity Rates, Hospitalizations Rise In Many States
Positive test rates of 5% can be a sign of undetected coronavirus cases in a community — North and South Dakota both have rates above 25%. Meanwhile, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Oregon and Utah report record numbers of new cases and New York state, a onetime hot spot, shows signs of another spike.
US Likely Far Off From Herd Immunity: Less Than 10% Have COVID Antibodies
A new study published in The Lancet found that only 9% of 28,500 blood samples from dialysis patients in 46 states tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.
Viewpoints: What Does It Say When A State’s Leader Gets COVID?; No Time To Ease Up On Wearing Masks
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
Editorial pages focus on these health care policies and others.
Different Takes: Lessons On Finding The Very Best Vaccine; Lack Of Data Severely Hampers Progress
Editorial pages look at these pandemic topics and others.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to sit back and contemplate. This week’s selections include stories on COVID, psychedelic medicine, addiction, lethal injection, doctor and dental practices, and relationships.
‘Terrifying’: Syrian Doctors Refute Government Claims, Say Outbreak Is Widespread
News is from Syria, Spain, China, North Korea, Russia, Switzerland, Easter Island, Tahiti, Brazil and Italy.
‘Haven’t Learned’: Critics Cite Multiple Mistakes Behind England’s 2nd Wave
Poor communication from leadership and a reluctance to learn from other countries that have lessened the impact of COVID are among the top problems, public health officials say.
Police Probe Neglect, Abuse Of Disabled Residents At Group Homes In Houston
At least 35 abused or neglected residents were found living in “deplorable” conditions in the Caring Hands Group Home. The “person of interest” in the case, Carroll Shelton Richardson, is the home’s operator and reportedly ran seven other boarding homes in Houston.
Not Wanting To Be Left Out, Pac-12 Rejoins Fall Football
In other sporting news, organizers of the Iditarod race ponder how to keep their staff and volunteers safe from COVID.
College Enrollment Took Big Hit In Pandemic — With One Exception
A closely-watched report found that undergrad enrollment is down 2.5% this year across all types of institutions. However, graduate enrollment is up 3.9%.
Please Fly The Friendly Skies: United Aims To Lure Back Flyers With Tests
Pilots will offer the tests on flights from San Francisco to Hawaii. News is on rising numbers of people searching for ways to lower anxiety, conflict managing for restaurant workers, no testing of seasonal farmworkers, forever chemical restrictions and more.
Survivors Share Tales Of Another Sad COVID Side-Effect: Losing Clumps Of Hair
Doctors think it’s due to the physiological stress of fighting off the coronavirus. Other research is on the risks of inflammation, what sewage shows, how dogs detect COVID and more.
‘It Has The Potential To Be Something Really Huge’: Boston Hospital Battles COVID Outbreak
By Thursday afternoon, Brigham and Women’s Hospital had identified eight patients and 11 employees who were infected. It expects that number to grow with contact tracing. Other health system news is on CoxHealth, Mercy, rural hospitals in Georgia and facilities in Contra Costa County, California.
