Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump Expected To Sign Executive Order On Drug Prices
Reporters weren’t given details of an executive order the president is expected to sign Friday afternoon, but speculation has it that the order will attempt to reduce some U.S. drug prices by linking them to the lower prices paid in other countries. Also news on opioids.
Advances — And Obstacles — Mark Path To Possible Vaccines
Moderna loses a patent court case that could delay its COVID-19 vaccine while a China-owned pharmaceutical group and Imperial College London announce progress on their versions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s $2 billion “Operation Warp Speed” deal with Pfizer raises concerns about vaccine prices.
CDC Doesn’t Recommend Testing College Students
Despite Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s argument that it is pointless to test students returning to campus, some universities, like Rice, are stockpiling COVID tests. Other news about testing: shortages of pipettes and a presidential helicopter pilot tests positive.
As Hospitals Fill, Louisiana Seeks More Health Care Workers
Several hospitals in the state say they are at capacity and need more staff, especially nurses. In other news, protesting hospital staff and health care workers who have died because of COVID
Georgia Governor And Atlanta Mayor Head To Mediation Over Mask Battle
Mask news also comes out of Iowa, where Gov. Kim Reynolds is encouraging but not requiring mask-wearing, and Florida, where two mayors ask residents to consider wearing masks even while at home.
Delays In Reporting Negative COVID Tests Impact Virus Data in Wis.
Positive virus test results are being reported quickly from Wisconsin county health officials to the state, but negative test results are taking days, in some cases. In Massachusetts and New York, frustration mounts over lengthy delays for COVID test results from labs.
All Republican Convention Plans Nixed In Virus Hot Spot Jacksonville
After a late-hour attempted move, President Donald Trump cancels all Republican National Convention events slated for Jacksonville, Florida, as the coronavirus surge again disrupts his wishes for a big renominating celebration.
Deep Divisions Among Republicans Delay Stimulus Progress Another Week
Remaining differences between the White House and Senate Republicans forced leadership to hold off on introducing their proposed $1 trillion coronavirus relief bill.
Fauci Offers Glimpse Of ‘Normality’ In 2021, Says Family Has Endured Threats
Also, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert throws the first pitch at the Washington Nationals’ first game.
Trump To Scrap Obama-Era Fair Housing Rule
Deeming it federal overreach, President Donald Trump is rolling back a Department of Housing and Urban Development regulation aimed at eliminating discriminatory housing based on race.
COVID Concentrated In A Few Countries
COVID is spreading quickly through South Africa, one of five countries currently being hit hard by the coronavirus.
Getting Past The Peak In The South May Not Signal End Of Outbreak
Some officials point to signs that the sudden increase in coronavirus cases in the South are peaking, but public health officials suggest the pandemic is moving to other regions and infections could spiral further out of control. News outlets examine what the case numbers are showing about the track of the virus.
US Case Count Jumps From 3 Million To 4 Million In Just 15 Days
The United States is also back to April-level fatalities as more than 1,000 daily deaths were recorded consecutively.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Parsing Policy: Congress Needs To Step Up Fast To Prevent More Suffering; Where’s The Data?
Editorial pages focus on keys issues the government needs to address to help ease pandemic problems.
Editorial pages focus on masks, school openings and these other pandemic issues.
In Mexico, President Downplays Masks As Cases Rise
Other global developments are reported out of Hong Kong, Puerto Rico and the Czech Republic.
‘Explosion Of Evidence’ Shows How Synthetic Chemicals Harm Your Health
In other research news: the effects of gut microbes on malnourished children; and NIH’s plan to launch a “flurry” of COVID-19 trials.
Research Roundup: Dexamethasone; MRNA Vaccine; Levothyroxine
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
States Struggle As Hospitalizations Climb And COVID Reaches Rural Areas
Not much good news from the states on the battle against the coronavirus. Reports from Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Iowa, Louisiana and Mississippi.
