Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Menopause Before 40 Leads To 40% Higher Risk Of Heart Attacks: Study
The New York Times: Women Who Undergo Menopause Before 40 Face Higher Heart Attack Risk
Women who go through menopause before turning 40 have a significantly higher lifelong risk of heart attacks than women who go through the transition later, according to a new study. The study found that women who went through what is referred to as premature menopause had 40 percent more fatal and nonfatal heart attacks throughout the course of their lives than those who went through menopause after 40. (Rabin, 3/18)
On abortion and 'crisis pregnancy centers' —
The Boston Globe: Mass. Abortion Rates Doubled After Supreme Court Nixed Roe V. Wade
In the years since the US Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, Massachusetts has emerged as a major national provider of abortion care, with new state data showing terminations using medication have more than doubled, and most patients receiving care are from out of state. The increase was driven largely by the rapid expansion of telehealth services in which providers can prescribe abortion pills, as well as a surge of patients traveling from states that imposed tighter restrictions following the Supreme Court decision. (Rahal, 3/18)
The Hill: HHS Investigating 13 States For ‘Coercing’ Healthcare Providers To Provide Abortions
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that it is launching investigations into 13 states for violating a federal health refusal clause and “coercing” healthcare entities into providing or performing abortion services. The states HHS will be investigating are California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. States will have 20 days to respond to letters sent by HHS. (Choi, 3/19)
Montana Free Press: What We Know About The Anaconda Man Accused Of Planning To Kill A Montana Abortion Doctor
An Anaconda man accused of planning to kill an abortion provider in Missoula earlier this month and firing a gun at a Helena clinic in 2023 is being held on $5 million bail. After his arrest, Charles Felix Jones, 20, admitted to firing into the front entry of the Helena Planned Parenthood clinic in 2023 when he was 17 years old, according to charging documents. Neither the police nor the FBI had previously identified a suspect in the case. (Fairbanks, 3/18)
Axios: Hawley's Abortion Pill Move Puts Republican Senators In A Bind
While Sen. Josh Hawley's bill won't get Democratic votes needed to advance in the Senate, it's roiling the waters within the GOP caucus. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), locked in a tough primary, quickly endorsed the legislation. Senate health committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who's also facing a primary challenge, held a hearing in January on what he termed the dangers of mifepristone but hasn't said whether his panel will take up Hawley's bill. Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), who faces a competitive reelection race, told Axios he hasn't seen Hawley's bill when asked for his position on it. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) likewise said he had not seen the bill. But asked if Republicans are talking about the issue in general, he replied, "No." (Sullivan, 3/19)
KFF Health News: Lawmakers Seek To Protect Crisis Pregnancy Centers As Abortion Clinic Numbers Shrink
Conservative lawmakers in multiple states are pushing legislation drafted by an anti-abortion advocacy group to increase protections for crisis pregnancy centers, organizations that provide some health-related services but also work to dissuade women from having abortions. The legislation would prohibit state and local governments from requiring crisis pregnancy centers to perform abortions, provide referrals for abortion services, or inform patients about such services or contraception options. It also would allow crisis pregnancy centers to sue the violating government entity. (Orozco Rodriguez, 3/19)
