Corralling the Facts on Herd Immunity
The term âherd immunityâ has found its way into politicized discussions about how to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. But what does it actually mean? And does it work?
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The term âherd immunityâ has found its way into politicized discussions about how to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. But what does it actually mean? And does it work?
President Donald Trumpâs executive order says that people with preexisting conditions can get affordable insurance. But it doesnât explain how.
The president entered office seeking to overturn the Affordable Care Act, revamp Medicaid and drive down prescription drug prices, among other things. Heâs hit some stone walls.
The legislation falls short of the big challenge.
Republicans have all but abandoned the Affordable Care Act as a campaign cudgel, judging from their national convention, at least. Meanwhile, career scientists at the federal governmentâs preeminent health agencies â the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health â are all coming under increasing political pressure as the pandemic drags on. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHNâs Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHNâs Elizabeth Lawrence about the latest KHN-NPR âBill of the Monthâ installment.
Weâre off this week, but the Affordable Care Act is in the news, as the GOP holds its virtual convention and the Supreme Court recently scheduled arguments in a case challenging the law. So weâre reposting our ACA 10th anniversary episode from March. For this special episode of âWhat the Health?â host Julie Rovner interviews Kathleen Sebelius, who was President Barack Obamaâs secretary of Health and Human Services when the law was passed. Then Rovner, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Mary Agnes Carey of KHN discuss the lawâs history, impact and prospects for the future.
Congress has allocated trillions of dollars to ease the coronavirus crisis. A joint KHN and AP investigation finds that many communities with big outbreaks have spent little of that federal money on local public health departments for work such as testing and contact tracing.
Poor information-sharing between hospitals and public health agencies has hurt the response to the pandemic. Some health care systems and IT companies are making inroads, but an overhaul would cost billions.
The Democratic presidential ticket is complete, with Joe Bidenâs selection of California Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. Health has not been a major issue for Harris, whose career priority has been the criminal justice system. But expect Republicans to pounce on her on-again, off-again support for âMedicare for All.â Meanwhile, with Congress still in a stalemate over another round of COVID-19 relief, President Donald Trump is trying to use his executive power to do what lawmakers have not â with mixed success. Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Mary Agnes Carey of KHN join KHNâs Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Gov. Steve Bullockâs response to the pandemic has helped raise his profile as he challenges incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines. But it also complicates the campaign as the state sees a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and voters question some of the governorâs actions.
President Donald Trumpâs sobering view of COVID-19 didnât last long â this week, he was back to pushing hydroxychloroquine, a drug that has been shown not to work in treating the virus. Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill are still scrambling to agree among themselves and with the White House on the next coronavirus relief bill, as both a moratorium on evictions and extra unemployment payments expire. And the debate over drug prices, which was going to be one of the biggest health issues of this election year, makes a brief appearance. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHNâs Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews KHNâs Markian Hawryluk, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR âBill of the Monthâ story about a surprise bill from a surprise surgical assistant.
Newsletter editor Lauren Olsen wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you donât have to.
President Donald Trump has, for now at least, become a realist on the extent of the COVID-19 crisis around the country, and he is urging Americans to socially distance and wear masks. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Republicans facing a July 31 deadline are scrambling to come together on their version of the next COVID relief bill. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Tami Luhby of CNN join KHNâs Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews NPRâs Pam Fessler, author of the new book âCarvilleâs Cure,â which traces the history of the United Statesâ only federal leprosarium.
Democrats want to bind employers to follow a safety plan, while Republicans seek to shield employers and doctors from lawsuits.
Months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the public seems more confused than ever. And health officials still are not all on the same page; this week the World Health Organization had to walk back an officialâs statement about how commonly the virus is spread by people without symptoms. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHNâs Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews Michael Mackert, a professor and health communications expert at the University of Texas-Austin, about how health information can best be translated to the public.
This is a tactic that weâve seen before.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema has received almost $100,000 from drug companies in the current election cycle, a KHN analysis shows, one of the largest cash hauls in Congress. And itâs only her first term.
Democrats were not impressed with the Trump administrationâs COVID-19 national testing strategy document submitted to Congress this week. They say the pandemic requires more direction from the federal government, while the administration wants to give nearly all the responsibility to the states. Meanwhile, in an effort to shore up his base of senior voters, President Donald Trump has unveiled a plan to limit what those on Medicare must pay out-of-pocket for insulin. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Erin Mershon of STAT News and Joanne Kenen of Politico join KHNâs Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews KHNâs Phil Galewitz, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR âBill of the Monthâ installment about a patient who thought he might have COVID-19, did everything right and got a big bill, anyway.
KHN's Julie Rovner joined other journalists on Friday's 'On Point' broadcast to talk about health news, including states relaxing their stay-at-home orders and Capitol Hill hearings featuring testimony before Congress by Drs. Anthony Fauci and Rick Bright.
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you donât have to.
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