Latest KFF Health News Stories
CDC Guidelines On Reopening Religious Institutions Delayed After Disagreement With White House
Access to churches and other religious institutions has been a controversial topic during the lock down. While religious leaders chaffed under state restrictions, data and other evidence shows that religious gatherings have exposed some of the most vulnerable people to the virus.
Schools Poised To Become Next Political Battleground As States Start To Reopen
The CDC released guidance on how states can safely reopen schools, with a focus on social distancing. But there remains plenty of topics that will be left up to state leaders, such as if masks will be required. Meanwhile, Europe offers lessons as it navigates the tricky issue.
Positive Trends In Vaccine Development Race Are Converting Skeptical Scientists
Scientists across the globe are starting to be hopeful that there will be a vaccine next year, something that until now would have been unheard of in the history of vaccine development. But there are positive signs in the development race — including the fact that the virus doesn’t quickly mutate. In related news: a skeptical public, a look at President Donald Trump’s vaccine chief, a deep dive into a bizarre saga behind Moderna’s closed doors, the dangerous spread of misinformation and more.
Trump’s 2020 Message Amid Virus Devastation: I Built The Economy Once, I Can Do It Again
President Donald Trump, who has tied his presidency to the health of the economy, is in a tricky spot. But historians and economists are skeptical he can run on the promise to fix it. Meanwhile, Republicans quietly chat about paring back the convention.
Following Outcry From Lawmakers, Trump Mulls Extending Federal Deployment Of National Guard
Earlier in the week, Politico reported that the Trump administration considered pulling back the national guard personnel, who are working across the nation on relief efforts. But scores of lawmakers wrote in to try to change the president’s mind, saying such a move would endanger Americans’ lives. In other news on President Donald Trump’s response efforts: intelligence briefings, criticism of former President Barack Obama and a continued focus on scapegoating China. Meanwhile, the president says he will wrap up his regime of taking dangerous malaria drugs.
Michigan Ford Plant’s Policy Is Clear That Visitors Must Wear Masks. Will Trump Finally Don One?
Ford officials have said that President Donald Trump, who has yet to be seen in public wearing a mask, will be allowed to bend their strict rules. Trump’s trip to Michigan may be fraught with tension, as he escalated his fight with state leaders over funding and mail-in-voting on the eve of his visit.
Trump Threatens To Withhold Funding To Battleground States Michigan, Nevada Over Mail-In-Voting Push
President Donald Trump made false claims about Michigan’s efforts to expand mail-in-voting and then launched similar attacks against Nevada. Trump has been vocal about his opposition to mail-in-voting despite the pandemic, but many states are moving toward the option as experts predict a second coronavirus wave in the fall.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care issues and others.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Editorial pages focus on these health care issues and others.
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical development and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
In Deathbed Confession, ‘Jane Roe’ Reveals She Was Paid To Join Anti-Abortion Movement
Norma McCorvey–who is the “Jane Roe” in Roe v. Wade–made news when later in her life she became an outspoken voice in the anti-abortion movement. But in a new documentary, McCorvey admits she was paid to switch sides. “I took their money and they took me out in front of the cameras and told me what to say,” she says on camera. “I did it well too. I am a good actress. Of course, I’m not acting now.”
Proposal From Germany, France Would Bolster Poorer EU Nations, But It’s Unlikely To Be Popular
German and French leaders have put aside past grievances during the pandemic and stepped into the vacuum created by Brexit to try to help guide Europe through the crisis. But will their efforts backfire on them politically? Other global news comes from Spain, Thailand and South Korea.
More Verbal, Physical Attacks: Asian-American Health Care Workers Report Rise In Bigoted Incidents
“People are worried about transmission of a disease that they associate with foreignness and Asian faces,” said Grace Kao, a Yale University sociologist. “Nothing erases what we look like.” Health care worker news is on minority doctors, whistleblowers, fatalities on the frontline, and damaging hospital reports, as well.
Baby Bust Continues: U.S. Births Fall Again With Another Drop Anticipated After COVID
The CDC found the number of births fell about 1% from 2018, to about 3.7 million. Birth rates continued to fall for teen moms and for women in their 20s while some women are just waiting until they’re older. Public health news is on mental health, resuming exercise after COVID, treatment delays for cancer patients, feeling like outcasts, elderly deaths while on ventilators, training canines to detect infections, careful cleaning of surfaces, challenges when caring for dementia patients, pregnancy, new hotel perks, and on testing ultraviolet light as a cleaning agent, as well.
Trump’s Reelection Team Desperately Seeks A Return To Mega-Rallies Where He Can Pump Up Base
The rallies have always been a key component of President Donald Trump’s election strategy, but the pandemic is getting in the way of that plan. Meanwhile, Republicans, nervous about losing Senate seats, are shifting to keep in sync with Trump’s election-year playbook.
Mnuchin, Powell Strike Somber Tones On Economy But Offer Different Paths Forward
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell testified virtually in front of Congress with dire warnings about the economic devastation from the pandemic. While Mnuchin favored a wait-and-see approach to more federal aid for states, Powell says that more will be needed.
In Private Lunch, Trump Tells Republicans To ‘Be Tough’ On Dems But Doesn’t Press For Specific Plan
President Donald Trump met with Republican senators in a freewheeling lunch where he touted his poll numbers. But when it came to stimulus plans, Trump demurred. “I asked him specifically whether he thought we needed to do another bill and what in his opinion should be in it. And he gave me a careful, artful answer, which tells me he’s not ready to say,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R., La.). Meanwhile, progressives in Congress see the pandemic as a way to push their agenda forward.
