Selena Simmons-Duffin appears in the following:
What the White House's actions on medical debt could mean for consumers
Thursday, April 14, 2022
The Biden administration announced new measures to ease the financial burden of high medical bills. Here's how the measures can help and what's still missing to protect patients.
Politicians are testing positive for COVID-19 while federal pandemic funds dwindle
Saturday, April 09, 2022
Some of the most powerful people in Washington, including senators and cabinet members, tested positive for COVID-19 this week. Meanwhile, federal funding for the pandemic response is running out.
Free COVID tests and treatments no longer free for uninsured, as funding runs out
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
The Biden administration has asked Congress to allocate $22.5 billion more for pandemic relief. But the funding is stalled and the effects are already being felt.
The COVID fund for the uninsured is shutting down, which will likely drive spread
Friday, March 25, 2022
Congress failed to approve billions in new funding to fight COVID-19. Among threatened program cuts are free treatments for COVID patients who are uninsured.
As states end mask rules, how to make the best choice for you and your family
Friday, February 11, 2022
As states begin to relax mask mandates, individuals have to make their own decisions about how and when to mask.
If you tested positive and the contact tracer never called, here's why
Tuesday, February 08, 2022
Swamped by thousands of calls a day, contact tracing programs have been forced to adapt. Even though they can't call everyone, experts say it's too early to give up on this pillar of disease control.
The Biden administration will pay community groups to help boost trust in vaccines
Tuesday, February 08, 2022
The Health Resources and Services Administration is distributing $66.5 million to community groups working across 38 states and Washington, D.C. to help with local vaccine outreach.
When can babies and kids under age 5 get their shots? Here's the timeline
Wednesday, February 02, 2022
The first big hurdle was crossed when Pfizer shared its clinical trial data with the FDA. Now there are five more steps to get through before this vulnerable population can be vaccinated.
Getting insurance to reimburse you for a purchased COVID test can be a hassle
Friday, January 21, 2022
The White House launched two new efforts to help Americans get free access to rapid COVID tests. It's still hard to find tests, and reimbursement for tests bought at a store isn't necessarily easy.
A year in, experts assess Biden's hits and misses on handling the pandemic
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
When he came into office, Biden launched an ambitious seven-point plan for defeating the virus. Here's how experts score his results.
President Biden announces more tests, masks and emergency hospital staff
Thursday, January 13, 2022
President Biden announced new measures to respond to the COVID surge. He is sending troops to hospitals in some states and said that more tests and masks are being ordered for distribution nationwide.
CDC is criticized for failing to communicate, promises to do better
Friday, January 07, 2022
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held only two telebriefings in 2021. That lack of transparency has prompted criticism — and a pledge from director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to be more open.
Isolation rule changes are the latest case of the CDC's problems with messaging
Thursday, January 06, 2022
The new CDC guidelines for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine have garnered a lot of criticism. And this is just one example of the agency's on going communication problems.
5 years later, researchers assess how children exposed to Zika are developing
Monday, December 27, 2021
Subtle developmental differences in children whose brains seemed normal at birth underscore the need to follow children long term — a lesson that may be key for babies exposed to COVID-19.
President Biden addressed growing concerns about the omicron variant in speech
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
President Biden is laying out his next steps for taking on the omicron variant, including giving out more at-home tests and sending support teams to overwhelmed hospitals.
What the White House is doing as omicron begins to take off in the U.S.
Monday, December 20, 2021
President Biden is expected to address the surge in omicron cases, but is his administration's response fast and sufficient enough to meet what could be the most challenging month yet in the pandemic?
COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly across the US
Saturday, December 18, 2021
Coronavirus cases are beginning to surge again in the U.S., just weeks after the discovery of the omicron variant. Data from the U.K. shows it is even more transmissible than delta.
White House issues a warning to unvaccinated Americans as concerns about omicron grow
Friday, December 17, 2021
The White House continues the same COVID-19 messages and strategies even as models suggest an omicron surge is coming.
As omicron spreads, health experts push for mask mandates. But few states have one
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Nine states have active mask mandates, even as the new variant is quickly moving in on the U.S. Despite their political unpopularity, research shows masks still work and could save lives.
As omicron spreads, public health advocates urge states to reinstate mask mandates
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
A new statewide mask mandate in California went into effect Wednesday, bringing the total number of states with mask mandates to 10. That has some public health advocates worried as omicron spreads.