Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Officials Fear Pandemic-Related Suicide Spike Among Native Youth
Recent deaths on a small Native American reservation in Montana have underlined the heightened risks for Indigenous youths and how suicide prevention programs are struggling to operate during the pandemic.
Democrats Are Running Hard on Health Care in Georgia’s Senate Runoffs. Republicans? Not So Much.
Democrats are treating health care as a more critical issue than their Republican counterparts in Georgia’s two U.S. Senate runoffs. It’s a strategy they hope will woo independents and motivate base voters. The results will determine which party controls the chamber during the first years of the Biden administration.
California’s COVID Enforcement Strategy: Education Over Citations
Gov. Gavin Newsom said in July that California would target businesses that flagrantly violate public health orders. But the state’s strategy of education over enforcement means that businesses that don’t comply face few — if any — consequences.
Inside the First Chaotic Days of the Effort to Vaccinate America
After missteps in Washington, each state and county is left to juggle where to send vaccines first and how to get them to each nursing home, hospital local health department and even school.
Surprise! Congress Takes Steps to Curb Unexpected Medical Bills
A long-debated measure to stop doctors, hospitals and other health care providers from billing patients for charges not covered by their insurance will gain congressional approval as part of the sweeping government spending package.
‘Nine Months Into It, the Adrenaline Is Gone and It’s Just Exhausting’
A UCSF emergency room physician reflects on California’s response to COVID-19 and on lessons learned — or not — as the coronavirus makes its second devastating surge.
Montana’s Mask Mandate in Doubt With Incoming Governor
Republican Greg Gianforte said that he will encourage people to wear masks and wear one himself when he’s sworn in as governor, but that he trusts Montana residents to make the right health decisions for themselves.
No More ICU Beds at the Main Public Hospital in the Nation’s Largest County
As some patients linger near death, staffers at Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center seek ways to expand capacity for a surge of cases that isn’t letting up.
Ski Resorts Work to Stay Open as COVID Cases Snowball
Colorado’s Telluride is a case study in the challenges ski resorts across the U.S. face in staying open as COVID-19 surges.
Pandemic-Related Paid Sick Days and Leave to Expire Dec. 31 — With No Extension in Sight
Enacted in March, an emergency measure covers about half of full-time workers nationwide, permitting 10 days of paid sick leave for all who fall ill or need to quarantine, and 50 more days of extended leave for parents who need to care for a child at home due to COVID-related school or day care closures.
Voces confiables ayudan a inmigrantes a superar el temor a la vacuna contra COVID
Funcionarios de salud pública de todo el país se preparan para un desafío: persuadir a comunidades que han sido duramente afectadas por el virus para que se vacunen.
Trusted Messengers May Help Disenfranchised Communities Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy
Persuading vulnerable low-income and ethnic communities hit hard by the coronavirus to take a new vaccine may be challenging. But established local health leaders, like a group in Rochester, Minnesota, may be one answer.
As Congress Bickers Over Pandemic Relief, Flight Attendant’s Life Is in a Holding Pattern
The coronavirus pandemic has hit hard for Troy Muenzer of Chicago. He had a “suspected case” of COVID in the spring, was billed nearly $1,000 after he unsuccessfully sought to get tested for COVID-19 and has been furloughed after the airline he worked for saw a major decline in passengers.
Ataques a la salud pública generan éxodo de funcionarios en medio de la pandemia
Estas partidas son una erosión adicional a la ya frágil infraestructura de salud pública del país, antes de la campaña de vacunación más grande en la historia de los Estados Unidos.
Behind Each of More Than 300,000 Lives Lost: A Name, a Caregiver, a Family, a Story
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.
High-Poverty Neighborhoods Bear the Brunt of COVID’s Scourge
COVID infection rates in California are consistently higher in low-income neighborhoods than more affluent areas, according to an analysis by ZIP code. Our findings underscore the heightened risks borne by millions of low-wage workers whose jobs are deemed essential.
Pandemic Backlash Jeopardizes Public Health Powers, Leaders
At least 181 public health leaders in 38 states have resigned, retired or been fired amid the turmoil of the pandemic. The departures come as backlash against public health is rising with threats to officials’ personal safety and legislative and legal efforts to strip their governmental public health powers.
Agrícolas, bomberos y azafatas buscan estar entre los primeros en recibir la vacuna
Trabajadores de salud de primera línea, y residentes y personal de hogares de adultos mayores, recibirán las dosis de la vacuna contra COVID primero, pero… ¿quiénes le seguirán?
This Health Care Magnate Wants to Fix Democracy, Starting in Colorado
Kent Thiry, the former CEO of dialysis giant DaVita, has clear ideas about how democracy should work. By backing ballot measures in Colorado, he’s shaping the power of voters in that state.
Supply Is Limited and Distribution Uncertain as COVID Vaccine Rolls Out
Hospitals and nursing homes must decide who gets the initial doses as the U.S. heads into the biggest vaccination effort in history. There’s a lot left to figure out.
