Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Through The Pandemic, More Adults Sought Mental Health Care

Morning Briefing

Fresh data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that the percentage of U.S. adults getting mental health care rose from 19.2% in 2019 to 21.6% in 2021. In other news, mounting evidence shows tea drinking is linked to lower diabetes risks, a beef product recall, and more.

Judge Finds Some Michigan Baby Blood Sample Tests Unconstitutional

Morning Briefing

The newborn blood-testing program has been in the spotlight for privacy and consent concerns, and now a judge ruled some of the program is unconstitutional. Separate news reports cover a new burial option in California, Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, and more.

Rally Near White House Highlights Opioid Deaths

Morning Briefing

Families whose lives have been destroyed by fentanyl rallied near the White House Saturday to draw attention to the ongoing opioid crisis, the Washington Post reports. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports drugmaker Endo is blamed for Tennessee’s opioid crisis.

Study Links Medical Debt To Threats To Health And Housing

Morning Briefing

Medical debt is hitting more Americans, driving bad health outcomes regardless of insurance or income, a study finds. NBC News reports that 1 in 5 U.S. households suffers medical debt, including those with private insurance. Other news covers rising health costs, staffing issues, and private equity.

Monkeypox Cases Decline, But White House Warns Funding Needed

Morning Briefing

The White House says lawmakers should approve a multibillion-dollar request to combat the ongoing crisis, even as case rates decline. NPR explains the odds of catching monkeypox, Dallas Morning News covers a case at a high school in Fort Worth, among other news on the virus.

Graham Abortion Ban Bill Divides Republican Party

Morning Briefing

Media outlets cover the political consternation stirred up by Sen. Lindsey Graham’s proposed 15-week abortion ban, with some Republican senators signaling opposition. Other news stories cover how the issue of abortion’s legality are impacting midterm elections.

In Utah, GOP Lawmakers Backpedal Over Abortion Cease And Desist Letters

Morning Briefing

The letters, which were printed on Utah House of Representatives letterhead, were sent out Thursday to the Planned Parenthood Association, the ACLU, and others and said that anyone who violates the ban during a district court-ordered pause on the trigger law will be prosecuted in the future, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. On Friday, however, the lawmakers said the letters were only “our opinion.”

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.