Latest KFF Health News Stories
Perspectives: Time For A Relief Deal In Congress; A Big Thanks For ACA’s Protections For Unemployed
Opinion writers express views on these public health policies and more.
In Venezuela, COVID Victims Being Harassed, Jailed, Called ‘Bioterrorists’
Other global developments are reported out of the United Kingdom, Iran, India, Russia and Japan.
Research Roundup: Face Masks, Hydroxychloroquine, COVID, Lipids, BMI In Children
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
California Limps Through Week Of Heat, Fires, Blackouts And COVID
Ash is raining from the sky in the Bay Area as wildfires rage. Meanwhile, a group that handles crisis calls in San Francisco says calls for high-risk suicide situations rose 25% on average from May through July 2020 compared to February through April.
Georgia Governor Balks At Reports That Say State Is In ‘Red Zone’
Other developments are reported from Massachusetts and New York.
Premium Refunds: Blue Cross Michigan Saw Many Fewer Claims
Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers must issue rebates for individual plans if they collect too much premium. Other industry news is on HIV services, slow prescription mail deliveries, praise for teleheath expansion and more.
HHS Now Allows Pharmacists In All States To Give Kids Their Vaccines
The move comes as a dangerous drop in childhood inoculations during the pandemic is reported.
New Clue May Explain Why Coronavirus Attacks The Lungs
A neurologist at New York’s Mount Sinai Health System stumbled onto it while doing a “bubble study.” In other developments: COVID-19 can survive on plastic, but it might not matter; scientists dig deeper into patients’ loss of taste and smell; and a new study links metabolism and cancer.
Unreliable? Some Tests Get Go-Ahead Without FDA Approval
Public health officials disapprove, arguing the HHS decision to lower the bar will lead to the use of flawed tests. News is on saliva tests, farm worker tests, and more.
Risks Of Alcohol: Less Is Better, Cut Back To One Drink A Day
Physician and Boston University researcher Timothy Naimi said: “Whatever kind of study you look at, two drinks a day is associated with a higher risk of death than drinking one drink a day.” Public health news is on child abuse, vaping and more.
Flying And COVID: Fears Of Infection Could Be Unfounded, Scientists Say
CNN looks at why the chances are slim and why sitting in a window seat might be the best plan. Public health news is also on shutting off power on parties, obscured data from prisons, and more.
Birx Calls For College ‘Surge’ Testing While Trump Urges In-Person Classes
Federal, state and school officials continue to struggle with how to safely educate students this fall.
Detroit Teachers Approve Strike; Teachers In NYC, Iowa Push Back
Public-sector employees are legally barred from striking in New York, but teachers have threatened to hold sickouts, The New York Times reports. In Iowa, the statewide teachers union announced a lawsuit over Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds’ mandate that districts offer at least 50% classroom instruction.
Michigan To Settle Tainted Flint Water Lawsuits For $600M, Sources Say
The deal is subject to a federal judge’s approval. Tens of thousands of Flint residents exposed to contaminated drinking water are expected to be eligible, with most of the money designated for kids poisoned by hazardous lead.
Blood Plasma Treatment Is Put on Hold; Data Too Weak, Scientists Say
President Trump said the decision was made because many “people over there don’t want to rush things. They want to do it after Nov. 3rd.” Research news is on vaccine trials, as well.
Drugmakers Push Boundaries On Challenging 340B Discounts
Testing new regulatory guidance, drugmakers step up efforts to restrict how 340B providers can contract with pharmacies, Modern Healthcare reports.
Who Gets Remdesivir? Shipments Determined By Secret Federal Formula
NPR investigates the Department of Health and Human Service’s system for distributing the drug to the states.
In Surprise Move, FDA Rejects 2 Drugs For Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hemophilia
The unexpected moves against Gilead’s filgotinib and BioMarin’s Roctavian have rocked the biotech industry, doctors and Wall Street.
US Intel Report: Local Chinese Officials Kept National Leaders In Dark About Outbreak Severity
A new internal report by U.S. intelligence agencies says local officials in Hubei province and Wuhan withheld information from China’s central leadership in the early weeks of the coronavirus epidemic. The assessment could impact ongoing allegations by the Trump administration that China tried to cover up the outbreak from the world.
Obamacare’s Future To Be Argued Before Supreme Court Week After Election
The high court announces it will hear on Nov. 10 arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. A decision is expected in June 2021.
