Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Cases Spike In Arizona, Texas And Florida, Colorado Finds Success With Methodical Approach
Colorado has largely avoided the spikes its neighbors in the West are seeing as they reopen. The state benefits from a young, healthy population, but a look at its strategy for reopening could offer a road map for success for other states. Other news is reported out of Oregon and Georgia, as well.
Touting Trump’s Leadership, Pence Says Coronavirus Panic ‘Overblown’
In an editorial in The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence blamed the news media for “sounding the alarm bells” about a second wave of coronavirus. On Monday, he argued that the surge is because of increased testing in the United States. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) called Pence’s remarks “pathetic” and “reckless.”
Once Shunted To Sidelines, HHS Stepping Back Onto Pandemic Field As Trump’s Attention Shifts
After a few high-profile missteps at the start of the outbreak, HHS Secretary Alex Azar and his agency took a back seat to the White House task force helmed by Drs. Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci. But now as President Donald Trump locks eyes firmly on reopening, HHS is taking a larger role in handling the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, Fauci continues to warn about the surge in cases.
Federal Judge Lifts Curbside Voting Restrictions, Eases Absentee Ballot Requirements For Alabama
The state is set to appeal the decision, which applies to the July 14 runoff election and was hailed by the NAACP as a way to avoid the recent mayhem during Georgia’s voting. News on elections is also from Rhode Island, about a new initiative from Facebook and warnings from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about misinformation on social media.
Whipping Up A Vaccine Is Way Tougher Than It Sounds — Especially If You’re Short On Glass Vials
ProPublica dives deep into the complications of creating a coronavirus vaccine with the quickest turnaround ever attempted. Meanwhile, drugmakers have a shortage of containers to put it in.
Trump Sidesteps Mentions Of Systemic Racism As He Signs Police-Friendly Executive Order
Advocates and Democrats say President Donald Trump’s executive order on police violence falls far short of what’s needed to make actual changes to the system. The White House focused on police-backed ideas, such as a national misconduct database, and continued to insist the problems lie with a few officers rather than deeper issues. Congress is also taking steps to address reform, but the parties are on a collision course with their bills.
Trump Administration Vows To Provide Eventual Vaccine To Any ‘Vulnerable’ American For Free
Officials also said that they expect health insurers to cover the vaccine without any copays and that the administration plans to distribute a vaccine on a tiered system, prioritizing those who are most at risk of infection.
More Americans Have Officially Died Of Coronavirus Than Number Who Were Killed In WWI
The total number of confirmed deaths in the U.S. hit 116,854 Tuesday, just passing the 116,516 American service members believed to have died in the first World War.
Mental health providers that Stat talked to said it’s clear that low rates of mental health care after teens transition to adulthood presents a significant problem. Public health news is on research publishing, a video game to treat ADHD, and a less invasive neurological treatment, as well.
Avoiding Doctors Visits Started Out As Fear. Now It’s Because Patients Can’t Afford To Go.
Tens of millions of Americans have lost jobs–and health care coverage–in recent months creating a crisis where patients who need care aren’t going because they can’t afford it. In other health industry news: charity care, health care worker job losses, new affiliations and inpatient rehab.
Editorial pages focus on this topic and other public health topics.
As Shared Ecosystems Increase, So Will Animal-To-Human Illnesses, Experts Say
Between 60 and 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans come from other animals. In other public health news: Some airlines ban booze sales; how the pandemic is uprooting the lives of food producers and people with disabilities; getting the pandemic munchies; and more.
Media outlets report on news from New Jersey, Mississippi, Illinois, California, Nevada, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Massachusetts, Maine and New York.
COVID-19 Cases Rising In China, Brazil, Iran, Egypt
More global pandemic developments are reported out of New Zealand, Honduras, Japan, Mexico and other countries.
Public Health Officials Plead With Trump To Cancel Tulsa Rally; Judge Refuses To Block Event
Some public health experts are calling for President Donald Trump to at least consider moving the event outdoors. “It’s the perfect storm of potential over-the-top disease transmission,” said Bruce Dart, the executive director of the Tulsa health department. Trump’s team says there will be some basic safety measures–like temperature checks–implemented, but have not signaled a willingness to shift the venue. A judge knocked down an attempt from two Tulsa groups to cancel the rally.
The Deep Roots Behind Seemingly Sudden Rise Of ‘Defund The Police’
Politico looks at how the idea surged into mainstream conversations in what seems like the span of a few weeks. “We’re no longer asking for convictions or folks to be indicted. We’re asking for an actual narrative shift, a seismic shift in the systems of police,” said Oluchi Omeoga, an organizer and core team member with the Black Visions Collective. Cities and states across the country are examining ways to reform police to cut down on fatal encounters, including a heavier reliance on social workers and deescalation training.
The “significant” results from the Oxford University research shows that dexamethasone reduces mortality in severely ill patients. Some scientists remain cautious though, wanting to see the actual data. “We’ve been burned before,” Dr. Kathryn Hibbert, director of the medical intensive care unit at Harvard’s Massachusetts General Hospital, tells Reuters.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic issues and others.
Perspectives: As COVID Therapies Begin To Emerge, We Need To Be Setting Pricing Models Right Now
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
‘Literally A Life And Death Election’: Planned Parenthood Backs Biden For President
The reproductive-services provider says the Democrat’s race against President Donald Trump is a “fight for our country’s very survival.”
