Latest KFF Health News Stories
Oklahoma’s Governor Contracts COVID-19
The Republican governor attended the Tulsa Trump rally and has been cavalier about the threat posed by the virus.
Advocates Recommend Face Masks As Way To Also Protect Wearers, Including Children
Breathing in a little of the virus might lead to no infection, experts say. A number of other studies and reports on masks: front-line workers and hairstylists, Texas lab tests and sterilizing. And then a plea from Trump’s former doctor to avoid orders to wear them.
Georgia Governor Overrides Localities Orders To Wear A Mask
Gov. Brian Kemp says he is encouraging voluntary mask wearing but local rules requiring masks are a “bridge too far.”
Dietary Panel Recommends No Added Sugar For Children Up To Age 2
The new advice is part of the report from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to federal agencies that will use them to create the final 2020 to 2025 dietary guidelines. The experts also said that the recommended maximum alcohol consumption for men be lowered from two drinks a day to one.
Alabama Gov. Reluctantly Issues Mask Order As Infections Soar
Gov. Kay Ivey did not roll back reopenings, though. State news on masks is from Montana, Arkansas, Michigan, Alabama and Florida, as well.
Science Panel: Reopen Schools, Especially For Younger Students, With Precautions
The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine emphasized precautions such as surgical masks for teachers and cloth facing covers for children. News also focuses on states’ plans and reaction from teachers, parents and college students.
As Virus Cases Soar, Hospitals Worry About Too Few Beds
Some patients have been stranded in emergency rooms while others have to be transferred between hospitals as doctors frantically search for open beds. Meanwhile, a new report finds that before this latest surge, many hospitals were able to restore their operations to nearly pre-COVID levels.
Fixing COVID Testing System Could Cost $75M
A Rockefeller Foundation report suggests “America faces an impending disaster” if the testing system for the virus is not solved. Evidence of its failure abounds.
Studies Debunk Idea That Blood Type Influences Recovery
Initially, medical experts thought Type A blood was a risk factor while Type O was less so. Other public health news on COVID-19 is on a public disconnect, children’s health, employees, vacations, mental health, induced comas, staying safe and partying, as well.
Latest Trial Indicates Anti-Malarial Drug Does Not Reduce COVID Mortality
The latest pharma research updates: Another hydroxychloroquine evaluation; AbbiVie extends its monopoly on pricey cancer drug; and research on radiation and COVID.
Critics Say New COVID Reporting System Could Overwhelm Hospitals, Lead To Drug Shortages
The Trump administration announced this week that hospitals should now report data about coronavirus patients, supplies and bed capacity directly to the Department of Health and Human Services, rather than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In other health industry news, Georgia revised its request for changes to the insurance marketplace, and doctors and employers team up to offer a new health care payment model.
A COVID Vaccine Progress Report
As researchers move quickly to develop a vaccine, other researchers raise questions about its delivery method and its safe use with pregnant women.
Chinese Drug Firm Began Human Trials Of COVID Vaccine Before Approval
The government-owned drug maker tested its vaccine candidate on human volunteers, including some of its employees, in March. Official approval was given in April. The rush underscores the enormous stakes as China competes with U.S. and British companies for a successful vaccine. The company also announced it has begun Phase III trials on a vaccine.
COVID Wreaks Havoc On Republicans
Republican politicians are finding that the COVID-19 epidemic is undermining support. Mitch McConnell responds with a coronavirus relief plan.
Former President Barack Obama criticizes the government response to the epidemic, while House Democrats push to probe federal government largess to companies with ties to the Trump administration.
CMS Chief Seema Verma Mishandled Contracts, HHS Inspector General Says
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Seema Verma sharply disputed the findings. In a response, she said the agency has “deep concerns” with the conclusions, which “are based on unsubstantiated assumptions and incomplete analysis.”
Deaths Of 2 Migrant Children Could Have Been Prevented, Doctors Testify
Both children, who were in the custody of Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexico border, died in December 2018.
Hopes Of Abating Opioid Epidemic Tempered By Overdose Deaths In 2019
After a dip in 2018, the number of Americans who died of opioid overdoses rose back up in 2019 to a record 71,000, according to CDC data. Preliminary numbers forecast that 2020 could be even worse.
From 75 Hours To 8: CMS Loosened Nursing Home Aide Training Requirements During Pandemic
The nursing home industry previously lobbied the Trump administration to relax regulations to certify nurse aides. At the start of the pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began to allow caregivers to complete eight hours of online training, instead of the 75 previously required.
Texas Prepares For Overflow Of Morgues As Daily Case Record Reported
Developments in the coronavirus pandemic are reported out of Texas, Nebraska, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
