WinnDems News

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released a damning investigation Wednesday of drug company pricing tactics and profits, as two days of hearings with testimony from pharmaceutical industry CEOs begin. http://dlvr.it/RhhRQ4

Tuesday night's presidential debate offered voters their first side-by-side comparison of the candidates, President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. http://dlvr.it/Rhfjs4

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has gone back-and-forth on this issue. One thing remains clear: Though science is evolving, indications do point toward the potential for airborne transmission. http://dlvr.it/RhfDMd

Pop-up care facilities bring together a range of specialists to address the needs of patients who survive but continue to wrestle with COVID-19’s physical or mental effects, including lung damage, heart or neurological concerns, anxiety and depression. http://dlvr.it/RhfDHw

Montana sheriffs say the state’s decision to halt prison transfers has led to overcrowding that makes it difficult to quarantine inmates and clean facilities. http://dlvr.it/RhZLp5

Daniel Prude’s family knew he needed psychiatric care and tried to get it for him. Instead, his encounter with police hours after he was released from Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, proved fatal. http://dlvr.it/RhZLnn

Listen to “Where It Hurts” on Tuesdays, Sept. 29 through Nov. 10. When Mercy Hospital Fort Scott shut its doors, locals lost care. Health workers lost jobs. The hole left behind is bigger than a hospital. Season One is “No Mercy.” http://dlvr.it/RhZLn8

President Donald Trump’s executive order says that people with preexisting conditions can get affordable insurance. But it doesn’t explain how. http://dlvr.it/RhVbhF

Even when COVID-19 forced many addiction treatment clinics to scale back, Colorado continued to serve patients with addiction problems through an innovative program that married low-tech with high-tech. The state brought clinics on wheels to remote, underserved towns and used telehealth to connect patients with doctors. http://dlvr.it/RhVbd8

A new poll finds 71% of Latino households in Los Angeles County experienced serious financial problems because of the coronavirus. http://dlvr.it/RhKWx1

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement today in response to President Trump’s celebrations of attacks on the press at recent rallies: “As a former investigative reporter and editor, I understand first-hand how critical our First Amendment rights are to our nation and democracy. When the President attacks the press, he attacks the […] The post Bustos Statement as Trump Celebrates Attacks on the Press appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RhHzG8

The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is giving new life to the latest constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act. It also places anti-abortion activists on the cusp of a court majority large enough to ensure the rollback of the right to abortion and, possibly, some types of birth control. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar tries to centralize power at the sprawling department plagued by miscommunications and scandals. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Sarah Jane Tribble about her new podcast, “Where It Hurts,” debuting Sept. 29. http://dlvr.it/RhHTvS

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded a confidential address program to public health officials in the wake of ongoing threats made against them tied to pandemic safety precautions such as masks and stay-at-home orders. http://dlvr.it/RhGLsG

Data and safety monitoring boards work under a cloak of secrecy meant to prevent undue influence by stakeholders, such as companies or the government. In the Trump era, some worry the anonymity could actually invite it. http://dlvr.it/RhFpwD

The threat of COVID-19 forced many county fairs to cancel this year. But some rural communities that depend on the annual economic and cultural boost decided to go ahead despite a pattern of outbreaks. http://dlvr.it/RhFcRL

Parents are turning to spooky scavenger hunts, pumpkin-carving and movie nights as alternatives to trick-or-treating. Health professionals have their own advice on how to safely celebrate Halloween during the pandemic. http://dlvr.it/RhCrWv

In a draft study, researchers correlated cellphone data showing students’ back-to-campus movements and county infection rates to quantify how the coronavirus spread as colleges and universities reopened for the fall semester. http://dlvr.it/Rh9sbs

Tribal leaders have worked to keep the coronavirus off their reservations because of its deadly impact on Native populations. But careful avoidance of the COVID virus has handcuffed the tribes as they face a devastating fire season. http://dlvr.it/Rh9sbN

The debate over how the coronavirus spreads heated up Friday when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conceded that the virus spreads through tiny particles, but then took down guidance that could have forced big changes in hospitals. http://dlvr.it/Rh9sV6

BUSTOS: “With the provisions I fought to secure in the Continuing Resolution, the House is delivering both assistance for those in need and accountability for our American farmers and producers.” WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement after casting her vote to help pass the Continuing Resolution, which will keep the federal government open through […] The post Bustos Fights for Desperately-Needed Nutrition Assistance, Aid for Farmers, CCC Protections in Continuing Resolution appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/Rh8y5H

President Donald Trump has the legal power to authorize a COVID vaccine over the objections of the Food and Drug Administration and vaccine manufacturers. Such a move could further erode public trust in a vaccine and foist an unsafe shot on Americans. http://dlvr.it/Rh420K

Few places loom as large in the race for the White House as here in Pinellas County, the largest swing county in the ultimate swing state. And polls show that many people will have the pandemic and its public health and economic consequences on their minds when they cast their votes. http://dlvr.it/Rh2KMT

With the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a lawsuit brought by Republican state officials has become the latest existential threat against the federal health law, scheduled for oral arguments at the Supreme Court a week after the general election in November. http://dlvr.it/Rh2KM4

Laura Derrick’s personal fight for affordable health care eventually landed her in the middle of a historic political fight ― and a movement that transformed American health policy. http://dlvr.it/Rh2KLj

California’s death count for the first five months of the pandemic was 13% higher than average for the same period during the prior three years. Subtract the deaths officially attributed to COVID-19 and experts say that still leaves scores of “excess” deaths among people of color that likely were mistakenly excluded from the coronavirus death tally. http://dlvr.it/Rh2KJZ

“Many women speak of making sure others have a seat at the table, but Justice Ginsburg built the chairs in which we rest.” WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement this evening in response to the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Tonight, we mourn the loss of one of […] The post Bustos Statement on the Passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/Rgw32G

The legislation falls short of the big challenge. http://dlvr.it/Rgv3g6

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, more patients are administering dialysis to themselves at home rather than receiving it in a clinic. Although home dialysis limits exposure to the virus, it comes with its own challenges. http://dlvr.it/RgsGyH

More than 70,000 residents and staff members at nursing homes and assisted living facilities have died of COVID-19, and others are under strict rules designed to keep the disease from spreading. That has evoked concern that living in a communal facility could be dangerous. http://dlvr.it/RgsGr1

Peoria and Rockford schools rank among most segregated in the nation WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) helped pass the Strength in Diversity Act of 2020 to help desegregate public schools and provide support to school districts that are developing, implementing or expanding school diversity initiatives. According to a 2019 study, Peoria had the sixth-highest […] The post Bustos Helps Pass Strength in Diversity Act to Support Local Efforts to Desegregate Public Schools appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RgqbbM

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s announcement that they will finally take action on small refinery gap year waivers after losing billions of gallons of biofuel demand due to their abuse of small refinery waivers. “From the very beginning, this Administration’s misuse of Small […] The post Bustos Statement on Trump’s Delayed Action on Small Refinery Gap Year Waivers appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RgqbWB

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. http://dlvr.it/RgqFQn

Rural hospitals have been closing at a quickening pace in recent years, but a number of inner-city hospitals now face a similar fate. Experts fear that the economic damage inflicted by the COVID pandemic is helping push some of these urban hospitals over the edge at the very time their services are most needed. http://dlvr.it/RgnN3l

Midwifery was a tradition among slaves from Africa, but in more recent decades, pregnant Black women have generally shunned the approach. Now, home births and midwives are making a comeback in the Black community. http://dlvr.it/RgnN1G

A KHN review found more than 20 states either don’t count or have incomplete data on the use of COVID-19 antigen tests, leaving the public in the dark about the true scope of the pandemic. http://dlvr.it/RgjSg3

Respiratory symptoms stemming from coronavirus infection and smoke inhalation are too similar to distinguish without a full workup. This is complicating the jobs of health care workers as wildfires rage up and down the West Coast. http://dlvr.it/RgjSc7

The National Institutes of Health has suggested minorities should be overrepresented in COVID-19 vaccine trials — perhaps at rates that are double their percentage of the U.S. population. But efforts to recruit patients from racial minority groups are just beginning, while some trials have already advanced to phase 3. http://dlvr.it/RgjSXD

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) issued the following statement in response to reports of a whistleblower complaint detailing severe medical neglect, nonconsensual hysterectomies and deeply concerning allegations of abuse at an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detention center: “Allegations of mass nonconsensual hysterectomies performed at the hands of the Administration is the stuff of […] The post Bustos Statement on ICE Whistleblower Reports of Severe Medical Abuse at Georgia Facility appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/RghLn4

A new treatment for tooth decay is cheaper, quicker and less painful than getting a filling. Originally touted as a solution for kids, silver diamine fluoride is poised to become a game changer for treating cavities in older adults or those with disabilities that make oral care difficult. http://dlvr.it/RgdZy8

Regulators in the United Kingdom allowed the AstraZeneca vaccine trial to resume, but U.S. regulators continue to investigate. http://dlvr.it/RgcZCR

In the most comprehensive tally of such injuries to date, the Physicians for Human Rights scoured publicly available data — including social media, news accounts and lawsuits — to document and name victims of summer protests. Still, the group cautions, it's likely an undercount. http://dlvr.it/RgbQN2

Local chambers of commerce, small business owners and other stakeholders discuss available resources and overcoming challenges unique to each community WASHINGTON – This week, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) hosted virtual small business assistance roundtables for Latino and Black small business owners from across the region to provide resources to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and […] The post AUDIO: Bustos Hosts Latino and Black Small Business Roundtables with Chairwoman Velazquez and Whip Jim Clyburn appeared first on Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. http://dlvr.it/Rgb3lH

Studies show that at least half of ground ambulance rides across the nation leave patients with “surprise” medical bills. And a $300-a-mile ride is not unusual. Yet federal legislation to stem what’s known as balance billing has largely ignored ambulance costs. http://dlvr.it/RgZFbM

Inspections for lead hazards and blood testing for lead have dropped significantly just as kids are spending more time in the places where their exposure to the poisonous metal is highest: their homes. http://dlvr.it/RgPBj6

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 government’s preeminent health agencies — the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health — 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 KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Elizabeth Lawrence about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment. http://dlvr.it/RgMJLv

COVID patients have been commingled with uninfected patients in California, Florida, New Jersey, Iowa, Ohio, Maryland, New York and beyond. While officials have penalized nursing homes for such failures, hospitals have seen less scrutiny. http://dlvr.it/RgKkN9

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says airplanes are not vectors for the spread of COVID-19 and that flying is "something that is safe for people to do." Is the evidence really so clear? http://dlvr.it/RgKXxy

About 60% of poll respondents are worried that federal regulators will rush to allow a vaccine because of political pressure. Opposition to getting a vaccine that might be authorized before the November election is strongest among Republicans. http://dlvr.it/RgKXx2

Once there were 23 of these nonprofit plans across 26 states; in January there will be only three, serving Maine, Wisconsin, Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. http://dlvr.it/RgFqvY

Check out KHN’s video series — Behind the Byline: How the Story Got Made. Come along as journalists and producers offer an insider’s view of health care coverage that does not quit. http://dlvr.it/RgBCJC

When people had a health insurance headache, these two words were a relief: “Call Barbara.” No problem was too big, or too small, she’d fix it. http://dlvr.it/RgBCHR