Is A Second Wave Of Coronavirus Coming?
By Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact
June 23, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Some experts say the United States is arguably still in the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic and history tells us that the 1918 influenza pandemic came in at least three waves. But that’s not necessarily a template for how the coronavirus pandemic will play out, because the coronavirus doesn’t have the same degree of seasonality that influenza does.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Democrats May Lose on SCOTUS, But Hope to Win on ACA
October 15, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Barring something unexpected, Democrats in the Senate appear to lack the votes to block the confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. So, instead they used the high-profile confirmation hearings to hammer on Republicans for again putting the Affordable Care Act in peril. Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call, Shefali Luthra of The 19th and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, about public health challenges in dealing with COVID-19.
Main Flu Strain Has Mutated; Current Flu Vaccines May Not Prevent Infection
December 17, 2021
Morning Briefing
It’s bad news for the vaccine, said Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania who led the study. Flu vaccines protect against four strains: H3N2, H1N1 and two strains of influenza B. The study covers just H3N2, but that happens to be the main circulating strain.
The Cost Of People Who Went To The ER But Didn’t Need To? $47B Yearly
October 1, 2021
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare covers news about incorrect use of hospital emergency services and the huge costs incurred each year. Also in the news, a potential Kaiser Permanente strike; the struggle to train new nursing staff; medical AI company Dascena; ransomware attacks and more.
Fauci Vs. His Republican Critics
November 29, 2021
Morning Briefing
Dr. Anthony Fauci is firing back at Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz, who have attacked him. In other news from the nation’s capital, the NIH director says it may be two or three weeks before scientists know enough about the new variant and the Supreme Court hearing an abortion case and a 340B case.
‘An Arm and a Leg’: Financial Self-Defense School Is Now in Session
By Dan Weissmann
August 10, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Starting in August 2020, a new episode every other week. No time like a pandemic to learn more about how to fight the high cost of health care.
Stores Sold Out Of Covid Tests? Things May Improve As FDA OKs Another One
October 5, 2021
Morning Briefing
The at-home test from ACON Laboratories likely will double testing capacity in the next few weeks, a top FDA official said. The FDA also greenlighted a new at-home test kit for covid and influenza A/B for ages 2 and up that can be ordered by a physician.
Listen: Battling The Coronavirus While Reopening The Economy
April 17, 2020
KFF Health News Original
KHN’s Julie Rovner discusses the Trump administration’s blueprint for reopening the economy and its effect on public health on WBUR’s “On Point.”
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Trump vs. COVID
October 8, 2020
KFF Health News Original
President Donald Trump is one of at least two dozen people tied to the White House who have tested positive for COVID-19. Negotiations on the next round of COVID relief are off again — maybe. And the FDA and CDC continue to fight for scientific credibility. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider and Erin Mershon of Stat News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews Amy Howe of SCOTUSblog about what the Supreme Court might do with the latest case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: It’s Scandal Week
September 17, 2020
KFF Health News Original
President Donald Trump this week issued a prescription drug pricing order unlikely to lower drug prices, and he contradicted comments by his director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the need for mask-wearing and predictions for vaccine availability. Meanwhile, scandals erupted at the CDC, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Food and Drug Administration. And the number of people without health insurance grew in 2019, reported the Census Bureau, even while the economy soared. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
A Battle-Weary Seattle Hospital Fights the Latest COVID Surge
By Will Stone
December 10, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Harborview Medical Center was at the epicenter of the first wave of coronavirus in the U.S. Staffers have a better understanding of the disease as cases surge, but fatigue and a lack of backup staff are big challenges.
Investigation Finds Medicare Insurers Drew $9.2B From Controversial Billing Practices
September 22, 2021
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal reports on an investigation from Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services that also determined that half of that money went to 20 insurers. Other Medicare and Medicaid developments are also in today’s news.
Listen: Why It Takes So Long To Get COVID-19 Test Results
April 1, 2020
KFF Health News Original
KHN’s Julie Appleby talks about the behind-the-scenes steps that can add time to the process of testing for the coronavirus.
Highly Contagious California Variant Might Evade Vaccines, Experts Warn
February 24, 2021
Morning Briefing
Scientists raise concerns that if B.1.427/B.1.429 combines with the variant identified in the United Kingdom, that mutation could be an even more dangerous strain.
Essential Worker Shoulders $1,840 Pandemic Debt Due To COVID Cost Loophole
By Sarah Varney
June 30, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Carmen Quintero had symptoms of COVID-19, couldn’t get tested and ended up with a huge bill. She also was told to self-isolate and assume she had the coronavirus — which is hard when you live with elders.
The State of Vaccine Supply: ‘Opaque.’ Unpredictable. ‘Hard to Pin Down.’
By Julie Appleby
February 5, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Americans’ frustrations surrounding the amount of available covid vaccine hinges on several factors — not the least of which is that demand far exceeds supply.
With Vaccine Delivery Imminent, Nursing Homes Must Make a Strong Pitch to Residents
By Judith Graham
December 17, 2020
KFF Health News Original
More than half of long-term care residents have cognitive impairment or dementia, raising questions about whether they will understand the details about the fastest and most extensive vaccination effort in U.S. history.
Heartbreaking Bills, Lawsuit and Bankruptcy — Even With Insurance
By Laura Ungar
September 25, 2020
KFF Health News Original
With health insurance that can leave him on the hook for more than a quarter of his salary every year, a Kentucky essential worker who has heart disease is one of millions of Americans who are functionally uninsured. At only 31, he has already been through bankruptcy and being sued by his hospital. This year, he faced a bill for more than $10,000.
Missourians to Vote on Medicaid Expansion as Crisis Leaves Millions Without Insurance
By Cara Anthony
July 30, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Around the country, Medicaid enrollment is up as people who have lost jobs during the pandemic seek health insurance. Expanding eligibility for Missouri’s program, which could help thousands of recently unemployed residents, will be on the ballot Tuesday.
