Latest KFF Health News Stories
How Western States And Texas Are Faring
Reports on the coronavirus from Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho and others states.
Baseball’s Opening Day Subdued
COVID changes Opening Day and affects football too.
Parental Panic: More School Districts Announce Online Start
Georgia’s largest school district and a number of D.C.-area districts announce online schooling for the fall, and Seattle appears headed in the same direction. Arizona’s top education official suggests reopening plans should be based on data.
Flu? Far Fewer Numbers Reported In Southern Hemisphere
In some countries where COVID measures are in place, the flu has all but disappeared. Other public health news is on restrooms, food poisoning, mental health, child care, adjunct professors and one more way doctors and hospitals pad medical bills.
Drug Overdoses Rise As US Battles Dual Crises Of COVID And Addiction
Drug overdoses hit a record high in 2019 in the U.S. and 2020 is on track to be even more grim. Wisconsin reports that opioid overdoses have more than doubled. And Kim Kardashian writes about husband Kanye West’s mental health.
Hives, Blisters: Skin Rashes Might Offer Clues To Virus
Many types of rashes have been seen in patients. More public health news is on partiers, workers, prisoners and more.
Big Payouts For Vaccine Executives
Who gets rich off of the race for a coronavirus vaccine–even if they don’t finish the race? And news about remdesivir shortages.
The Vexing Question Of Reinfection: It’s Unlikely, Experts Say
Anecdotal reports of people testing positive twice raise questions, while research continues into the coronavirus’ behavior and human immune response.
Health Care Providers Must Tell HHS How They Spent COVID Funds
The Department of Health and Human Services quietly announced the news Monday. Other health industry news comes from Beaumont Health, Memorial Hermann, CHS, Quorum Health, Hims & Hers, HCA and other groups.
Several Airlines Tighten Mask-Wearing Rules
And President Donald Trump goes maskless at a D.C. hotel, despite city regulation. Also, a new Politico poll says a majority of voters strongly support statewide mask mandates and several more states are requiring them, as well.
Iowa Medicaid Director Stepping Down
Mike Randol was hired in November 2017 to oversee Iowa’s privatized Medicaid program. Randol previously held the same position in Kansas, which also privatized its Medicaid program.
Rise In U.S. Cases Far Surpasses Rise In Testing; Labs Struggle To Keep Up
Also in testing news: neighborhood and socioeconomic status can determine how hard it is to get a COVID test, weighing the pros and cons of a rapid test, and more.
White House Staff’s Cafeteria Closed After Worker Tests Positive For COVID
Restaurants in the office buildings adjoining the White House were closed after a cafeteria worker there tested positive for COVID.
Trump Again Points To Cognitive Exam To Defend Mental Fitness
In his latest Fox News interview, President Donald Trump repeated previous boasts about acing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment — a standard test to detect early signs of dementia — while questioning presidential opponent Joe Biden’s mental capacity.
In Letter, Public Health Experts Throw Weight Behind Fauci
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, will testify July 31 to Congress along with CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Brett Giroir. In other administration news, ex-FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor offer progress reports on the COVID crisis.
Administration To Extend $5B In Aid To Nursing Homes To Cope With COVID Surge
The funds, announced by President Donald Trump Wednesday, are part of renewed efforts to help facilities that care for seniors respond more effectively to the pandemic. Nursing homes in hard-hit areas will be prioritized first.
US, Pfizer Strike Vaccine Deal: $2 Billion For Possible 100 Million Doses
The Trump administration announced its largest purchase yet as the federal government commits huge sums to another drugmaker to secure access to its potential COVID-19 vaccine.
White House, Senate GOP Work Past Intraparty Rift To Near Stimulus Pact
After days of negotiation, Senate Republican leaders announce that they reached tentative agreement with the Trump administration on key measures, including stimulus checks, virus testing and school funding. Contentious issues remain though, and Democrats must still be brought on board.
California Passes New York For Most Coronavirus Cases
With over 12,000 new confirmed COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday, California — the most populous state — passed New York’s previous record total. Over 7,000 Californians are hospitalized from the virus.
COVID Toll Mounts With Second Day In A Row Of Over 1,000 US Deaths
As the death rate climbs, so does the number of new coronavirus cases with the United States nearing 4 million cases during the pandemic.
