Latest KFF Health News Stories
Because we’ve never dealt with this particular coronavirus before, even public health experts are stumped on some of the big questions that the world is asking. In other news: the death rate may be lower than previously estimated; a generational divide is splintering the response to the virus; and a look at past pandemics may offer ideas on how to fight this one.
President Donald Trump had been playing down the crisis, so his change in attitude was notable as he spoke Monday about recommendations intended to help curb the spread of the virus. Among that guidance is limiting social gatherings to 10 people or less. “If everyone makes this change or these critical changes and sacrifices now,” Trump said, “we will rally together as one nation, and we will defeat the virus, and we’re going to have a big celebration all together.” Trump stopped short of calling for a national lockdown, and some health experts are frustrated that the president didn’t go further.
Trump Official Insists Allowing Patients To ‘Own’ Their Medical Data Will Do More Good Than Harm
STAT interviews Don Rucker about the new interoperability rule that would allow patients to download their medical data — a situation critics say opens up major privacy issues. Other news on health information technology looks at recent data breaches affecting 1.4 million people.
Daunting New Report From Advocates Puts Alzheimer’s Projections For 2050 At 14 Million Older Adults
About half of those people will be 85 or older, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. There is no way to stop or slow the disease, the most common form of dementia. Other public health news reports on on breast cancer, anesthesia, antibiotics, and weight loss.
Modern Healthcare takes a look at where the Affordable Care Act stands 10 years after it was passed, where patients are still slipping through the cracks, and what’s coming on the horizon.
Opinion writers weigh in on government policies during the coronavirus epidemic.
A 21-page outline of the deal, obtained by The New York Times, looks at why cities and counties are struggling to sign on and how they could be losers in the $19.2 billion settlement. News is also on the problems Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum faces from alcohol abuse.
Editorial pages focus on these and other topics about the coronavirus.
Tech Giants Get Onboard To Help With Developing Pandemic Strategies
The Technology and Research Task Force is working on finding solutions to a variety of problems ranging from working with the CDC to creating a website, although that will take longer than President Trump suggested Friday.
The proposal, attempting to cover a range of costs from testing to food safety, was crafted in large part by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. News is also on funding for Homeland Security, industries, and resulting deficits, as well.
While some of President Donald Trump’s supporters are taking their cues from him that the outbreak is not as dire as it seems, many voters are still watching how he handles the crisis with the November elections looming not far off. “If, for a second, people think that he doesn’t have that strength, or he doesn’t have that fortitude, then it will become a problem,” said War Room host and former Breitbart editor Raheem Kassam. Meanwhile, experts are dubious about Trump’s claims about the outbreak. And while Trump did get tested for the virus–and says he doesn’t have it–some wonder why he waited so long to do so.
By declaring the outbreak a national emergency, President Donald Trump frees up billions of dollars of aid through FEMA funds. HHS will also be allowed to modify or waive regulations for Medicare, Medicaid and other programs.
President Donald Trump has already vowed to help both the cruise line industry and the airline industry. But what other industries are likely to get specialized attention as steps to flatten the curve of the outbreak have a devastating effect on everything from movie theaters to small businesses.
Calls to ban large gatherings, keep seniors and those with underlying health issues at home, and help for the homeless were on the minds of most California officials whose ideas lined up with advice from public health experts. But Rep. Devin Nunes told Fox viewers less truthful information.
Nonprofit Health Centers On Frontlines Of Crisis Face Federal Funding Cut Off In May
Community health centers face dwindling equipment and resources as they try to care for uninsured Americans amidst the COVID-19 emergency. And there’s an added stress for these facilities because their federal funding will run out in May. Meanwhile, how insurance will cover coronavirus testing and treatment remains an open question.
Officials in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Washington, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania take drastic steps to try to slow down the virus spread.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Pictures started hitting social media of airports clogged with hundreds of passengers jammed shoulder-to-shoulder just as public health experts were telling people to practice social distancing. The bottlenecks were created by Americans abroad rushing to get home after the Trump administration announced travel bans and Homeland Security officials try to implement medical checks.
Although the two Democratic candidates addressed other issues, the COVID-19 outbreak was front of mind during Sunday night’s Democratic presidential debate. Both former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said they were using a lot of soap to avoid infection. They also laid out their plans for how they would address such a crisis if they were in the Oval Office.
“Our lives are all changing in ways that were unimaginable just a week ago,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement Sunday night.
