Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump’s Virginia Rally Poses ‘Severe Public Health Threat,’ State Officials Warn
The public event scheduled for tonight would violate Virginia’s 250-person limit. The state health officials’ concerns are unlikely to alter the planned rally.
Source Of Postal Slowdown Linked To Higher-Ups, Records Show
The Washington Post obtains more documents related to the U.S. Postal Service postal changes that delayed deliveries that conflict with USPS executives previous accounts. The moves have drawn public outrage due to the important role of the mail in efforts to keep voters safe during the pandemic.
‘We Use A Scalpel Rather Than A Bulldozer’: Why Justices Might Keep Obamacare
The fate of the Affordable Care Act hinges on a separate legal argument called “severability,” or whether a smaller part of the law that is found unconstitutional can be wiped out while leaving the rest of the law intact. And the abortion issue influences the Supreme Court debate.
Medical Failures Contributed To Immigrant Deaths, House Probe Finds
A House report summing up a year-long investigation cites examples of medical mismanagement and records falsification.
House Democrats Knock $1T Off Stimulus Proposal To Jump-Start Talks
After stalling for months, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin says coronavirus stimulus negotiations would resume as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells key House committee chairs to craft a new proposal that backs down on a previous $3.4-trillion ask. The new plan under discussion would cost closer to $2.4 trillion — which Republicans say is still too high.
Medicare Recipients Will Get $200 Card For Prescriptions, Trump Says
He tucked the news into a speech about his health care vision but didn’t provide many details. It’s possible the cards may be intended to help seniors pay for the COVID vaccine, which reportedly might not be covered by Medicare.
Lawmakers Reject Specter Of Non-Peaceful Transition Raised By Trump
As state officials work to protect the health and safety of Americans voting in November’s elections through early and mail-in ballots, President Donald Trump continues to question voting integrity. But lawmakers from both parties insist that an “orderly” inauguration will take place in January.
Trump Administration To Allow Importation Of Prescription Drugs
President Donald Trump announced the final rule that clears the way for states to import cheaper medicines from Canada while outlining his “America First Health Plan” Thursday.
Trump ‘Affirms’ Preexisting Condition Protections Enacted By Obamacare
President Donald Trump signed an executive order that he claims preserve the Affordable Care Act’s popular protections for people with preexisting conditions while his administration supports a case headed to the Supreme Court that could dismantle the health law. The president’s actions around Obamacare have been a focus of election-year criticism.
HHS Spokesman Michael Caputo Undergoes Surgery For Cancer
Michael Caputo was diagnosed with “squamous cell carcinoma, a metastatic head and neck cancer which originated in his throat.” The HHS spokesman took medical leave last week after falsely accusing CDC scientists of “sedition” and reports of meddling in COVID-19 reports. At the time, Caputo also raised concerns about his personal health. He now urges Americans not to neglect their own during the pandemic.
After Short-Lived Dip, COVID Cases Ticking Up Again In 22 States
As the latest infection trends point toward yet another surge, the U.S. passes 7 million confirmed coronavirus cases. The spike worries public health experts as the nation heads toward flu season and the holidays.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Perspectives: Pros, Cons Of U.S. Response To Testing, Opening Schools, Rushing A Vaccine
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others as the U.S. death toll passes 200,000.
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
Research Roundup: UTIs; C Difficile; Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma; Radiotherapy; Smoking And Tobacco
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Fall Could Be Worse Than Spring: Trudeau Warns Canada About Second Wave
The Canadian prime minister says it’s unlikely people will be gathering for their Thanksgiving in October. News is also from Germany, Israel, Malaysia, Honduras and Vietnam.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, Who Railed Against Masks, Now Has Coronavirus
NPR reports that as recently as July 11, Parson told a group of cattle ranchers that the government should not interfere with their decision to wear or forgo a face covering. “You don’t need government to tell you to wear a dang mask,” he said.
California Governor Orders Ban On New Diesel, Gas Cars By 2035
The White House criticized the announcement: “… the lengths to which they will go to destroy jobs and raise costs on the consumer is alarming.”
Wildfires Expose More Americans Than Ever To Toxic Air Pollution
The increase of 9 million more Americans is compared to 2018, the worst previous year. Other news is on exercising when the air is hazy, a death linked to black licorice, food safety and more.
CDC: Halloween Masks Don’t Offer Protection
The agency also warns against wearing a costume mask over a regular cloth face mask and instead recommends Halloween-themed cloth masks. Other public health news reports on ongoing county fairs, airline mask policies, parental burnout and Wall Street’s reopening, as well.
