Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
White House Backs Off From Fauci Criticism
President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell all deliver a message of support for Dr. Anthony Fauci after a top Trump adviser criticized him in an op-ed. Meanwhile, Fauci comments on the “bizarre” tension in an interview with The Atlantic.
COVID Cases Soar To New Highs As State Leaders Scramble To Respond
Over 36,000 positive tests for the coronavirus were confirmed Wednesday in just four states alone: Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion pages focus on these health issues and others.
Viewpoints: The Price Of Lockdowns; Slow Testing Results In Hard-Hit Communities
Editorial writers weigh in on issues surrounding the pandemic — testing, the economy, the schools and Anthony Fauci.
EU Approves Lynparza To Fight Type Of Pancreatic Cancer
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Despite The Rush, Remdesivir Needs A Large Clinical Trial
Recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Drug Investments Under Fire Over Possible Conflicts Of Interest
HHS says a Trump aide can sidestep ethics disclosures while making decisions about government contracts; management consulting firm McKinsey scoops up COVID-related contracts; lawmakers skeptical of vaccine developers’ “no-profit” pledge.
Health Plans Can’t Deny Coverage For Treatments Broadly Geared To Disabled Customers, Judge Says
News about several big hospital companies and also an early look at what hospitals have been charging for COVID care.
Biggest Culprits In Virus Spread? Developing Nations And The US
Developments on the global pandemic are reported on Brazil, Mexico, China, Sweden, Ireland, South Africa, the UK, Japan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Lebanon and other nations.
Opioid Deaths Soar Among Black People On Chicago’s West Side
Among the reasons, reports ProPublica, is that fewer people are coming to the emergency room to seek help, in large part out of fear of contracting COVID-19. Also, news on racial disparities from Maine, Pennsylvania and Michigan.
Monitoring Big Tech’s Moves In Health Care
Big technology companies’ involvement in health care calls for close scrutiny; an outdated technology — the fax — slows down the containment of COVID.
‘Terrible Decision’: Trump Faults District For Not Reopening Los Angeles Schools
District Superintendent Austin Beutner said he couldn’t protect the students and teachers in the nation’s second largest school district and his efforts to get federal help have gone largely unanswered. School-opening updates come from Virginia, North Dakota, Oregon and other states, as well.
