Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pro Sports’ Reopenings Hit ‘Unfortunate’ Snags
With baseball players contracting COVID, games are postponed. But as of yet, no widespread calls are being made to end the experiment in reopening.
Mask Arguments Continue Despite Evidence
Labor unions representing transportation workers ask for a federal rule mandating passengers of buses, planes and trains wear masks. Meanwhile, some Americans continue to resist the idea.
National Teachers Union Calls For ‘Safety Strikes’
The American Federation of Teachers said strikes would be an option if schools reopen without satisfactory plans for keeping teachers safe from the coronavirus.
Kavanaugh Urged Fellow Justices To Avoid Rulings On Abortion, CNN Says
CNN takes a deep dive into Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s desire to avoid certain thorny issues and his pattern of trying to publicly appeal to both sides.
School Reopening Plans Still A Jumble
It’s a crazy quilt of plans and rules as school districts try to get teaching back on track. The Trump administration is still pushing full in-person instruction. “The COVID-19 pandemic has stumped the brightest minds at universities,” says the Wall Street Journal.
Medicaid Enrollment Lower Than Expected; COVID Impacts Black Medicare Beneficiaries
Centene anticipated higher growth in its Medicaid enrollment due to rising umemployment.
Report: VA Hospital Physician ‘Contributed’ To Patient’s Decline, Death
The physician who expressed indifference to the veteran’s condition was a contract worker at Washington, D.C.’s VA Medical Center’s emergency room.
Federal Government Gives $765M Loan To Kodak To Make Chemicals For Drugs
The deal is aimed at reducing U.S. reliance on China. Other companies in the news include Roche, Reata and Cepheid.
Moderna’s COVID Vaccine Clears Lung Infection Of Monkeys In Test
The results are encouraging, though the animal test does not guarantee that the developmental vaccine will work as well on humans.
Blood Test To Detect Alzheimer’s–Years Before Symptoms–Within Reach: Study
The new research of a potential blood test offers hope for Alzheimer’s research and treatment as the degenerative disease can now only be diagnosed through scans or spinal taps after memory has already faltered.
Biden Urges Reliance On Science To Get Nation Through Pandemic
The presumptive Democratic nominee also says he hasn’t been tested for COVID-19.
Senate Relief Bill Measures Face Revolt By Some Republicans
Despite the imminent expiration of current aid, a quick path to another round of coronavirus stimulus gets tougher as a number of Republican senators object to several of the provisions in their party’s proposal.
Twitter Suspends Trump Jr. For Spreading Claims About COVID
In his response, the president’s son said, “This never happens to someone saying something that benefits the left. It only hurts conservatives.”
Russia Behind COVID Disinformation Campaign, US Intel Finds
The AP and New York Times report that Russian military operatives are using English-language websites to spread false information about the coronavirus outbreak to Western audiences, according to newly declassified intelligence .
Trump Still Pumps For Hydroxychloroquine
President Trump continued to promote the use of hydroxychloroquine despite his own administration’s scientists warning against its use. His latest evidence is from a doctor with strange medical beliefs.
Trump Calls Portions Of US ‘Corona-Free,’ Bemoans His Approval Ratings
Despite the ongoing viral surge, President Donald Trump said during a briefing Tuesday night, “You can look at large portions of our country — it’s corona-free.” He also wondered why public health experts Drs. Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx poll well while his popularity shrinks.
Federal List Of Dangerous ‘Red Zone’ States Grows To 21; US Nears 150,000 Deaths
According to a Trump administration report, 21 states fall into the “red zone” where coronavirus outbreaks are so serious that federal officials recommend more restrictions; 28 states qualify for the “yellow zone.” Meanwhile, new cases may be plateauing in some of those places, yet six of the states report record deaths.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages express views about the quality of COVID research, a nationwide effort to tackle the virus and other topics.
Appeals Court Rejects Bid To Block California Ban On ‘Pay-To-Delay’ Deals
California officials say the ban is necessary to prevent drug companies from thwarting competition and maintaining higher prices. In other news from the state: Legislators say they may offer extra jobless benefits if the federal government doesn’t act in time; and how California’s pandemic fight compares with New York’s.
