Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Biden Says ‘Pandemic Is Over’ — Which May Muddle His Requests For Funding

Morning Briefing

The president’s comments, which aired in an interview Sunday night, were off the cuff and took several of his own health officials by surprise, news media outlets reported. Some Republicans immediately questioned why they should approve millions more for covid funding if the global emergency is done.

Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed

Morning Briefing

Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid, Alzheimer’s, domestic abuse, rights for people with disabilities, and more.

Montana Will Ignore Order Allowing Trans Birth Certificate Changes

Morning Briefing

The Republican-led state was blocked by a Montana judge from enforcing a state rule preventing transgender people from changing their birth certificate. But the Department of Public Health and Human Services said it would ignore the new ruling.

NJ Man First Fully Paralyzed Person To Get Brain-Computer Interface

Morning Briefing

A report explains how surgery to implant a Stentrode device in an ALS patient could eventually give the fully-paralyzed man a chance to communicate with a mere thought. Also: E. coli links to Hello Fresh meal kits, OTC hearing aids, taking infants to a chiropractor, and more.

Indiana’s Abortion Ban In Effect After Injunction Denied

Morning Briefing

The first state abortion ban passed since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade went into effect in Indiana Thursday. A judge denied a request for a temporary injunction from health providers.

Warnings Of Nitazenes In Illicit Opioids: 10 Times Fentanyl’s Strength

Morning Briefing

Nitazenes — a class of extremely strong synthetic opioids — are increasingly linked to deadly overdoses. Axios reports on the growing threat fentanyl offers to teens, while Stat reminds us the meth crisis is worse than ever. Separate reports say the U.S. is limiting fentanyl exports to Russia.

Excessive Patent ‘Gaming’ Contributes To High Drug Prices: Report

Morning Briefing

Key drugmakers, like Bayer and Bristol-Myers Squibb, are playing the U.S. patent system in a way that can keep drug prices at an “exorbitant” level, a report at NBC News says. Meanwhile, the Drug Enforcement Administration is said to be investigating telehealth startup Done.

HCA Healthcare Could Face Federal Probe Over Allegations Of Fraud

Morning Briefing

Rep. Bill Pascrell, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee’s subcommittee on oversight, has asked the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate HCA, the largest for-profit health care chain in the U.S.

Health Industry Contributes 10% Of US Greenhouse Gas, And Growing

Morning Briefing

A report from the House Ways and Means Committee shows how the health industry is contributing to climate change, with certain emissions rising 6% between 2010 and 2018. A separate AP report reminds how climate change can jeopardize health services, including via wildfires and smoke.

How Rough Of A Flu Season Is Coming? Bad, With A Chance Of Severe

Morning Briefing

Public health officials urge Americans to get their vaccine this fall, as bellwethers from Australia heighten concerns over a difficult flu season. And after several mild years, one virologist tells The Hill, “As a population, our immunity to the flu is down a bit.”

CDC Says Only High-Risk Monkeypox Patients Should Get Tpoxx

Morning Briefing

At a White House briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci mentioned the risk of causing mutations in the monkeypox virus through the use of antivirals, and indicated a new study will monitor for mutation warnings. Meanwhile, a survey showed monkeypox awareness grew during summer.

Use Of 2 Covid Treatments ‘Strongly’ Discouraged By WHO

Morning Briefing

Characterizing the therapies as obsolete since omicron emerged, the World Health Organization withdrew its conditional endorsement for two of Regeneron and GSK’s antibody treatments. In other pandemic news, some scientists say we’ve reached the point where covid is no more lethal than flu.

LGBTQ+ Patients Say Doctors Discriminate Against Them

Morning Briefing

A survey finds that LGBTQ+ people report more experiences of medical discrimination than cisgender people. Meanwhile, a study suggests multivitamins may have a role in improving seniors’ cognition. Also: the risks of sitting, a Starbucks recall, and more.