Healthcare & Policy News
Reporting on health care policy, insurance coverage, and federal health programs. Includes news updates and conservative commentary from The Daily Signal.
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- News
Tale of 2 States: New York’s COVID-19 Death Toll Far Greater Than Florida’s
Florida and New York are states with similar population sizes, but dramatically different approaches to the COVID-19 pandemic. New York has almost 30 times as many coronavirus-related deaths as Florida, with a heavy concentration among senior citizens, according to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat,…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Let’s Trust Americans to Be Careful About COVID-19
Testifying before the Senate as a member of the White House’s coronavirus task force, Dr. Anthony Fauci gave his assessment of the current state of the Country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was both hopeful and overly cautious. Fauci first highlighted advances made in testing for the new coronavirus, as well as the rapid…Kevin Pham -
- Opinion
A Proposed ‘Health Defense Operations’ Slush Fund Won’t Protect US From Future Pandemics
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has already approved more than $2.4 trillion in new deficit-increasing measures, from new spending to tax relief. Now, Congress is considering a new slush fund to exempt certain spending from budgetary restraints in the name of combating future health crises. Instead, lawmakers should review agency missions and…Romina Boccia -
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There Have Been Fewer COVID-19 Cases Than Expected in India. Why?
India long has been seen as a land of mystery, and with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Asian nation is keeping with that tradition. The number of coronavirus cases in India has been surprisingly low, given the country’s huge and highly dense population and its poverty levels. Experts are puzzled, but they think…Virginia Allen -
- Opinion
This Nonprofit Empowers the African American Community During COVID-19
COVID-19 is a great equalizer in many ways. Almost everyone is susceptible to the new coronavirus, no matter race or socioeconomic status. But some, including African Americans, the elderly, and the recently incarcerated, are more at risk. Clovia Lawrence, co-founder of Project Give Back to Community, a nonprofit based in Richmond, Virginia, joins The Daily…Virginia Allen -
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White House Challenges Left’s Pandemic Playbook Narrative
The White House pushed back on the media narrative that the Obama administration left behind a pandemic “playbook” for the Trump administration. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Friday that the playbook from the Obama administration was an insufficient packet of paper, and that the Trump administration’s own pandemic response exercise in 2019 exposed…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Failures of an Influential COVID-19 Model Used to Justify Lockdowns
Professor Neil Ferguson, who led the COVID-19 modeling team at Imperial College in London, resigned May 5 from his government advisory role after breaking the very same British lockdown rules that he had a role in influencing. Ferguson led the Imperial College team that designed the computer model that, among others, had been used to…Kevin Dayaratna -
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‘Operation Warp Speed’ Seeks COVID-19 Vaccine by January
President Donald Trump on Friday announced “Operation Warp Speed,” an initiative to accelerate development of a vaccine for the coronavirus by January. The program is a joint venture by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Defense Department, Trump said. To lead the effort to find a vaccine against COVID-19, Trump tapped Dr….Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
The Intolerant, Ingrate Left Wants Christians to Stop Helping COVID-19 Victims
Just as soon as the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse came to the aid of overwhelmed New York City officials and sick residents struggling to combat the effects of COVID-19, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson decided the diverse, “tolerant,” progressive city had enough of its assistance, due to its Christian foundation, and effectively kicked the…Nicole Russell -
- Opinion
How to Hold Beijing Accountable for COVID-19? Here’s 3 Rules to Keep in Mind
Around the world, a lot of folks are itching to retaliate against China for its complicity in launching the coronavirus pandemic. But a thirst for vengeance seldom leads one to the wisest course of action. Revenge, after all, is a dish best served cold—or at least without the heat of passion. The ongoing competition between the U.S. and China cannot be…James Carafano -
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Pill Pushers Exploiting COVID-19 to Promote Risky Telemedicine Abortions
While no one is immune from the strains of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, it would be difficult to overstate the impact of isolation on women facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies. As a recent profile in The New York Times points out, that means big business for enterprising abortion companies—especially the small handful of groups utilizing a Food and…Denise Burke -
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Are COVID Survivors Immune From Getting It Again? What You Need to Know
Now that we’ve gotten COVID-19 testing for active infections well under way across the country, many who have already been infected have understandably asked if they are now immune to reinfection. This question applies both to those who had developed only mild/moderate symptoms, and those who had more serious/severe symptoms that may have required medical…Peter Brookes -
- Opinion
1% of Counties Home to Half of COVID-19 Cases, Over Half of Deaths
As Heritage Foundation researchers have demonstrated throughout the pandemic, the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. has been extremely concentrated in a small number of states—and among a small number of counties within all states. As of May 11, for example, 10 states accounted for almost 70% of all U.S. cases and nearly 75% of…Norbert Michel -
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4 Ways the 1957 Pandemic Resembles, and Differs From, COVID-19
A new pandemic that originated from Asia sweeps the world, hitting the United States during a time of economic prosperity, striking coastal cities the hardest, and eventually prompting a global recession. Plenty of consternation erupts over why the U.S. government and World Health Organization were so caught off guard when they should have seen the…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
What We Know About the Link Between COVID-19 and a Rare Children’s Disease
One of the biggest unknowns of the COVID-19 pandemic is how it affects children. Children have managed to avoid most of the severe manifestations of the disease caused by the new coronavirus, making up a small percentage of hospitalizations and almost none of the deaths. Conversely, Americans older than 65 have made up 45% of…Kevin Pham -
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Pelosi’s Coronavirus Bill Includes Billions for Eligible Illegal Aliens
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi introduced her party’s coronavirus relief package, which includes billions of dollars in carve-outs for eligible illegal aliens, grants to sanctuary cities, and other protections for the undocumented community. House Democrats released the HEROES Act on Tuesday, a bill that provides $3 trillion in stimulus funds to state and local governments, along with other…Jason Hopkins -
- News
6 Big Points From the Senate’s COVID-19 Hearing With Fauci
In one of the most unusual Senate hearings in U.S. history, top Trump administration health officials testified remotely Tuesday from their homes and offices to senators who also mostly were at home. Here are six big moments from the three-and-a-half-hour hearing on the federal government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic held via video by the…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
5 Key Provisions in Democrats’ COVID-19 Bill That Will Hurt Our Economy
House Democrats have released a completely unserious proposal to respond to the public health and economic crisis the nation is confronting as a result of COVID-19. Spanning more than 1,800 pages, the bill represents a partisan laundry list of mostly bad policies, calling for trillions of dollars of additional deficit spending on handouts and items…Romina Boccia -
- Opinion
Protecting Property Rights Now and in a Post-Pandemic Economy
The United States was ranked 17th in The Heritage Foundation’s latest Index of Economic Freedom. That’s not what Americans should expect from a nation whose foundation is built upon freedom. How do we get back on course? A new Heritage report, “Restoring America as the Land of the Free,” outlines the path. >>> When can…Daren Bakst -
- Opinion
I’m an ER Physician. Here’s Why Abortion Isn’t an ‘Essential Health Service.’
Although we appear to be “flattening the curve” of the COVID-19 pandemic, with governors slowly lifting stay-at-home orders and hospitals beginning to schedule surgeries again, infection spikes in certain regions remain a possibility. Throughout the coming months, we need to focus as a society on medical care that will not only help us survive but…Dr. Scott French