Latest KFF Health News Stories
As moderates coalesce around former Vice President Joe Biden a brighter spotlight falls onto his health plan. Because “Medicare for All” has dominated the Democratic race so far, the details of the moderates plans have been largely skated over in favor of simply calling it the moderate alternative. But there are still many questions to be sorted out.
The Grand Princess is being held off the coast of San Francisco after a previous passenger became California’s first coronavirus death. The situation brings back memories of the disaster that followed aboard another quarantined ship off the coast of Japan in the early days of the outbreak.
Thirteen countries, with a total of nearly 291 million students, have closed schools nationwide because of the coronavirus, most notably in China. But it’s unclear what role children play in the spread of the coronavirus, and some question if the closures are necessary.
If Too Many Health Care Workers Get Sick ‘We Aren’t Going To Have A Shot At Fighting This Thing’
Medical professionals are worried that there aren’t enough safety measures in place to keep them well enough to continue treating patients. In widespread outbreaks of infectious disease, health-care workers are almost always hit hard. “If nurses aren’t safe, then really our community isn’t safe,” said Jenny Managhebi, a clinical nurse at the University of California.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly misstated the number of Americans who have tested positive for the virus and claimed it would “miraculously” disappear in the spring, given a false timeline for the development of a vaccine, publicly questioned whether vaccinations for the flu could be used to treat the novel coronavirus and dismissed WHO’s death rate estimates. In a time when public faith in the government is critical to fighting panic and hysteria, experts worry the mixed messaging is doing anything but.
Lawmakers from both parties have stressed that Congress is “going to watch where the money goes.” Each state will be getting at least $4 million in assistance and HHS has also been ordered to use $3.1 billion of its quota on medical supplies, vaccine-making and ensuring health systems are up to handling the outbreak. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry was able to secure a win on vaccine price controls but progressives are still pushing the issue.
VA Unlawfully Denied Care To Thousands Of Veterans Because Of ‘Bad Papers,’ Study Shows
“I was supposed to be able to turn to them (the VA),” Marine Corps veteran Dwayne Smith told the Washington Post. He was turned away from the VA facility in Boston. Other news on the Trump administration reports on children separated at the border and new rules on sexual assault, as well.
$1.25B Opioid Settlement Date Set In West Virginia Where Death Rate Is Highest
The Aug. 31 trial date serves as a deadline for the proposed settlement, the nation’s first as businesses consider thousands of other lawsuits. Other news on the epidemic comes from Missouri, Vermont and Kansas.
The incidence of infectious disease events has more than doubled from the 1940s to 1960s, and researchers blame urbanization, globalization and increased human consumption of animal proteins. Meanwhile, scientists struggle to suss out just how many people actually have the coronavirus and how deadly the virus could prove to be.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘We Don’t Have Enough Tests’: Despite Promises, Pence Admits The Supply Can’t Yet Meet The Demand
Vice President Mike Pence initially claimed the government would be able to provide testing “for those that we believe have been exposed, for those who are showing symptoms.” HHS Secretary Alex Azar now says that the government will be able to provide testing for about 400,000 people by week’s end.
The results applied only to those who drank moderately for decades, according to the Korean research. Other public health stories report on the benefits of using olive oil instead of butter, links to diabetes, growth of gene therapy, causes of physician distress and the rise of paramedical tattoos.
“I also agree that the situation could be worse than what we have now, and it could be at pandemic level,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “But what at the same time we are saying is there are countries that with this situation that have shown that it can be contained so we should not give up.” Media outlets take a look at the global response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Government Health Plans To Pay For Testing; Private Insurers Vow To Ease Cost Concerns As Well
As federal officials promise that Medicare, Medicaid and ACA plans will have the costs of their tests covered, some private insurers promise they will cover diagnostic testing when ordered by a doctor, ease network, referral and prior authorization requirements and/or waive patient cost sharing. States have been taking steps to ease cost concerns over testing, as well.
States Scramble To Contain Outbreak As Coronavirus Cases In U.S. Sail Past 200
State officials across the country are asking thousands of residents to self-quarantine in a desperate hope of heading off an outbreak in the country. At least three states have declared emergencies to better ramp up their response efforts. Among the states that are confirming cases are California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington and Texas.
Most people who get the coronavirus will only develop mild symptoms. But because of the extra burden on local health systems and how the virus spreads to older, more vulnerable populations, the virus’ repercussions run deeper than just mild inconvenience. In other news: we’re learning more each day about the virus; kids seem to be less susceptible but they can still spread infection; the fast-moving nature of the virus makes it hard to understand and contain; the EPA releases a list of disinfectants people should be using; and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on these health care topics and others.
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Opinion writers weigh in on these and other topics surrounding coronavirus.
Media outlets report on news from Michigan, Connecticut, Maine, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, and New Jersey.
