Health Industry

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Behind Each of More Than 300,000 Lives Lost: A Name, a Caregiver, a Family, a Story

KFF Health News Original

Family members and health care workers say the statistic of 300,000 lost Americans cannot capture their grief or anger at the apathy they’ve encountered from those who minimize the dangers of the coronavirus. “The numbers do not reflect that these were people,” said Brian Walter, who lost his father.

Hospitals Scramble to Prioritize Which Workers Are First for COVID Shots

KFF Health News Original

Even as the federal Food and Drug Administration engaged in intense deliberations ahead of Friday’s authorization of the nation’s first COVID vaccine, and days before the initial doses were to be released, hospitals have been grappling with how to distribute the first scarce shots. Their plans vary broadly.

A Battle-Weary Seattle Hospital Fights the Latest COVID Surge

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.

Dialysis Industry Spends Millions, Emerges as Power Player in California Politics

KFF Health News Original

Over the past four years, the dialysis industry has spent $233 million on both political offense and defense in California. Most of it went toward protecting its revenues against ballot initiatives, but the industry also strategically worked the corridors of the state Capitol.

In Becerra, an HHS Nominee With Political Skill But No Front-Line Health Experience

KFF Health News Original

Despite his lack of front-line experience, Democrats see the California attorney general as an important ally to shepherd a progressive agenda on the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, reproductive health services and immigration.

Think Your Health Care Is Covered? Beware of the ‘Junk’ Insurance Plan

KFF Health News Original

Millions of people are looking for coverage on the federal and state marketplaces right now. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between a comprehensive plan and a “junk” plan with limited benefits and coverage restrictions.

What Happened When the Only ER Doctor in a Rural Town Got COVID

KFF Health News Original

Hospitals across the country are struggling as staffers get infected with the coronavirus. It’s especially tough for small, rural hospitals, where even one doctor out sick can upend patient capacity.

After a Deadly COVID Outbreak, Maryland County Takes Steps to Protect Health Workers

KFF Health News Original

Prince George’s County in Maryland is taking action after a coronavirus outbreak left veteran public health worker Chantee Mack dead and several colleagues with lasting medical problems. But some staffers say more still needs to be done to keep public health workers on the front lines of the COVID fight safe.

Limpieza dental, gafas nuevas… y la vacuna contra COVID-19

KFF Health News Original

Con múltiples vacunas de COVID-19 en camino, optometristas y dentistas presionan para que se autorice vacunar a los pacientes durante los exámenes oculares de rutina y las limpiezas dentales.

NYC Hospital Workers, Knowing How Bad It Can Get, Brace for COVID 2nd Wave

KFF Health News Original

Hospitals are in better shape now than in the spring, with more knowledge of how to handle COVID-19 and bigger stockpiles of protective equipment. Still, nurses worry about staffing shortages and unfilled jobs.