Latest KFF Health News Stories
Several New York state lawmakers, besieged by complaints that poor staffing and shoddy conditions allowed the virus to spread out of control in the homes, said they were blindsided by the provision that was added under the radar by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D). More than 5,300 nursing home residents are believed to have died from COVID-19 in New York alone.
Dr. Rick Bright, an HHS official who claims he was targeted because he opposed COVID-19 policies, will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Bright, along with projecting a dire second wave if the virus isn’t contained, is expected to talk about cronyism in the agency.
It’s Not Just About National Trends: There Are 50 Different Curves, Complicating Reopening Guidance
Reopening discussions often revolve around national numbers, but each state — and even areas within states — are being impacted differently. Some say that leaders need to take those regional numbers into better account when setting up guidance to lift restrictions. Meanwhile, tensions continue to boil up over stay-at-home orders. And even some hot-spot states are inching toward reopening.
Wisconsin’s Highest Court Strikes Down Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order
The state’s Supreme Court said that while the governor is free to use his emergency powers, the authority cannot go be extended indefinitely. The decision let stand language that had closed schools, however, and local governments can still impose their own health restrictions.
Hundreds Of Young Migrants, Asylum Seekers Being Expelled In Divergence From Normal Policy
Border agencies say they have to restrict asylum claims and border crossings during the pandemic to prevent the virus’s spread, but advocates call that justification a pretext used to further President Donald Trump’s immigration goals. Meanwhile, the administration continues to take steps to crack down on most migration into the country during the outbreak.
Experts unravel the ways the Trump administration’s failures in the early days of the outbreak exacerbated the crisis. Meanwhile, The Washington Post fact checks Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) mostly false claim that the Obama administration didn’t leave behind a game plan. And more information emerges about the shelved CDC guidelines to help states reopen.
Stuck Mostly In White House, Trump Brings Governors To Him For Meetings Filled With Mutual Praise
President Donald Trump hasn’t been able to hit the road and hold rallies like he wants to, so he’s bringing governors to him. The meetings follow, a more-or-less boilerplate format that involves a lot of mutual praise and pictures.
The Abbott test that can deliver results in 15 minutes was touted as a game changer by top health officials, but a recent study — that has yet to be peer reviewed — calls into question its accuracy.
Trump Criticizes Fauci’s Warning Against Opening Schools Too Soon In Latest Public Disagreement
At a Senate hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci struck a cautious tone when it came to reopening the schools in the fall. President Donald Trump said the answer surprised him, and that it wasn’t acceptable. While Fauci continues to be a major player in Trump’s response efforts, the two have been publicly at odds over the past few months about the best way forward.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: COVID-19, Medicaid Expansion, Antibiotics, And More
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Providers Balk At Trump Administration’s Continued Transparency Efforts
Medicare proposed a bump to inpatient hospital services payments, but there are also parts of the rule that aren’t sitting well with providers.
IRS Relaxes Normally Strict Rules To Allow Workers To Make Changes To Health Insurance Plans
But the policy change doesn’t require employers to offer these options; they must opt in if they want to give their employees added flexibility. In other insurance and cost news: hospital lobbyists seek higher COBRA subsidies from Congress, UnitedHealthcare to have bigger footprint in ACA marketplace, how Medicaid and ACA subsidies could help recently laid off workers, and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on these pandemic topics and others.
Wall Street Journal reporters visited the Wuhan market,where wild animals are sold and where COVID-19 may have originated, to interview workers who helped gather samples. They also talked with agencies about unfulfilled promises to investigate the market. Other news about China is on scientists discrediting conspiracy theories touted by Judy Mikovits and widespread testing becoming normal as its economy gets back on track, as well.
Flood Of New Genome Research Brings Long-Awaited Hope For Treatment Of Sickle Cell Disease
After receiving little attention for decades, more than two dozen studies using CRISPR genome editing are being presented this week on sickle cell, the most common inherited blood disorder, Stat reports. Other public heath news reports on remote heart monitoring, risks for pregnant mothers who smoke or drink, and a link between sugary drinks and cardiovascular disease.
Media outlets report on news from New York, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas.
Pandemic’s Wave Of Devastation Hits Latin American Cities Where Death Rates Are Spiking
News on the global outbreak is reported from Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Israel, Italy, France, Britain, Spain, Germany, Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, Yemen and Japan.
Bolstering Resilience: Advocates Advise Getting Ahead Of Mental Health Crisis To Prevent Suicides
A report last week from two groups dedicated to mental health issues warned that the increase in “deaths of despair” from alcohol, drugs and suicide could increase by 75,000 as a result of COVID-19 unless a steps are taken now to address the looming problem. More public health news stories report on police investigation setbacks; kids exhibiting different symptoms; a new CDC alert about children; the need for more background checks for guns; long, difficult recoveries; racial inequities; surprising side effects; and more.
