Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Has Promised To Deliver A Vaccine ASAP, But What Happens If One Isn’t Proven Safe?
Some experts worry that the intense political pressure for a vaccine by the end of the year might lead the Trump administration to rewrite safety rules. In other vaccine news: trials, supply agreements, costs and more.
Investigation Finds 1,300 Chinese Medical Supply Firms Used Fake Address In America
Foreign device-makers are required to have a representative with a U.S. address, but a Wall Street Journal analysis of Chinese companies trying to sell products like masks in America finds many firms provided false information.
CDC Issues Guidelines On Mask-Wearing At Large Gatherings As Studies Tout Benefits Of Face Coverings
For some Americans, the decision to wear a mask is influenced by politics. But researchers continue to find evidence that face coverings do help cut infection rates.
COVID Patients Should Be Shielded From Bulk Of Medical Expenses But Some Are Still Getting Bills
After getting lifesaving treatment for COVID-19, some patients are being sent eye-popping medical bills. While the hospitals and insurers say that is a mistake, the confusion over costs in the midst of the pandemic persists. In other health industry news: hospitals’ survival and payments.
Upswing In Cases, Hospitalizations Spark Talk Of A Second Wave, But U.S. Is Still In The First One
Many states are reporting a record number of coronavirus cases and forecasters predict a slow and steady increase through the summer as part of the first wave. But they also warn that there will likely be a real, second wave that will hit the nation in the fall.
In Wake Of Latest Police Shooting, Momentum Continues To Grow For Use-Of-Force Reform
Experts say they are seeing more support for legislation that would more tightly regulate the ways that police can use force on suspects. Cities and states across the country are grappling with how best to address police violence as the protests sparked by George Floyd’s death continue.
Gaps In Federal COVID Data Could Mean The True Toll For Black Americans Will Never Be Known
“Unless we use data and focus concretely on race, we are going to let COVID-19 bake in a whole new generation of disparities,” John Kim, executive director of the racial justice research and policy organization Advancement Project California, told Politico. Media outlets examine the links between racism and the pandemic and how they are impacting Black Americans.
Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama-Era Health Care Protections For Transgender Patients
The decision was swiftly criticized by health advocates, insurance regulators, medical groups and others. It’s the latest Trump White House move to chip away at protections for LGBTQ Americans.
Public Health Experts See Trump’s Tulsa Rally As A ‘Perfect Storm’ For Infection Risk
“It’s a perfect storm setup: the idea of tons of people, where one sick person can have an impact of generating secondary cases on this immense level, where it’s indoors, where there’s no ventilation,” said Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, medical director of the special pathogens. President Donald Trump’s team also hasn’t confirmed if it will enforce CDC guidelines on mask wearing at the campaign event.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic issues and others.
Diminished Role Of Task Force Highlights White House’s Desire To Move Beyond Pandemic
At one point the coronavirus task force was meeting and providing public updates daily. But that’s dropped dramatically in recent weeks, as President Donald Trump and his White House team turn their attention toward the economy and election. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) wants the task force to brief lawmakers on the recent surge in cases.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Stat reports on how a slow public health response led to spread of the coronavirus in an east of Los Angeles prison, which has reported 767 cases and 13 deaths so far. News on prisons is reported from Pennsylvania, as well.
First 3D Embryo-Like Model Has Limits But Allows Researchers To Study Birth Defects, Diseases
Scientists say this model could be a workaround in face of longstanding legal and ethical restrictions on researching embryos. Other science news focuses on trials for inherited blood disorders, sickle cell research, publications of academic research, and anxiety screening in women.
Trump Seizes On Distractions To Implement Tighter Restrictions For Legal Immigration
As the nation’s attention is caught by the pandemic and police protests, the Trump administration is furthering its immigration agenda. Meanwhile, an investigation finds that emergency aid meant for migrant families was used by the Border Patrol to buy dirt bikes and computer equipment, among other things.
House Plans Vote On Health Law Tweaks Aiming To Improve Affordability
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) only offered a vague statement about the plan, but said the changes will help lower premiums and co-pays. In other health industry news: ER bill mark-ups, insurance coverage during a pandemic and hospital stocks.
CDC Denies Native American Tribes’ Requests For Coronavirus Data That Is Freely Available To States
Native Americans have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19, yet tribal leaders say that federal and state governments are blocking their efforts to gather data on how the virus is spreading around their lands. In other health IT news: cell phone data shows many Americans are no longer social distancing; urgent care clinics make upgrades; Twitter targets Chinese misinformation; and EPA cracks down on bogus products sold online.
Media outlets report on news from Ohio, Louisiana, California, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Texas and Wisconsin.
Compounding the shortages is that the very population the staff serves are the ones most at risk for developing severe cases of COVID-19. News on health care workers is on going to extremes to find PPE, finding ways to destress, disputing unfair treatment, graduating and ready to help, coping in the death care industry, suffering from the virus, finding time to support Black Lives Matters, struggling family physicians, and trying to calm pregnant women, as well.
