Category: Public Health

Trump to declare national emergency; CDC chief agrees to free coronavirus testing

Read the full post on Becker's Hospital Review

The Coronavirus, The Congressman And Me

When four KHN reporters were possibly exposed to COVID-19, they tried to take preventive steps. But even for health care journalists, getting tested for the virus ― and figuring out what to do next — is an uphill task.

Trump Wrongly Said Health Insurers Will Pay For All Coronavirus Treatment

There are important distinctions between how insurance companies will cover the test and the treatment. This makes the president’s statement an exaggeration, at best.

Coronavirus Pushes Hospitals To Share Information About Stocks Of Protective Gear

There is currently no central coordination of the supply of protective garb and masks in U.S. hospital inventories. A CDC project wants hospitals to share that information for the good of all.

5 tips on talking to patients about coronavirus, from NIH Director Dr. Anthony Fauci

Read the full post on Becker's Hospital Review

How a West Virginia county stemmed an HIV outbreak

Read the full post on Becker's Hospital Review

Coronavirus Puts Prisons In Tight Spot Amid Staff Shortages, Threats Of Lockdown

As the coronavirus threat rises, prisons are grappling with the possibility of nationwide lockdowns and calls for prisoner releases.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Coronavirus Goes Viral

The rapidly spreading coronavirus has led to the cancellation of sporting events, conferences and travel, with Congress and President Donald Trump scrambling to catch up to the spiraling public health crisis. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has issued long-awaited rules aimed at making it easier for patients to carry copies of their medical records. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.

Donald Trump’s Wrong Claim That ‘Anybody’ Can Get Tested For Coronavirus

The process is not as simple as calling your doctor or pharmacy, saying you want to be tested for COVID-19 and getting it done. Clinicians decide whether patients meet the criteria to warrant it. Circumstances are further complicated because tests are in short supply.

A look back at swine flu: 8 facts about the world’s last pandemic in 2009 

Read the full post on Becker's Hospital Review