Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Arkansas Blocked From Banning Trans Minors’ Gender Care

Morning Briefing

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier ruling that had temporarily blocked Arkansas from enforcing a 2021 law banning children’s gender-affirming care. Also: A medical record issue in Utah prisons, parental leave in South Carolina, and other news.

E. Coli Infection Count Hits 84; Whole Foods Sued Over Antibiotics In Beef

Morning Briefing

The bacterial outbreak source is still unknown, reports Reuters, but a majority of the infected people ate sandwiches at Wendy’s. Separately, a lawsuit alleges Whole Foods beef labeled antibiotic-free contains traces. Plus, news on sleep, heat, and chronic disease.

White House Issues Directive To Make Federally Funded Studies Free To Public

Morning Briefing

In a “historic” move, the Biden administration also says the research should be made available immediately, instead of being kept behind a paywall for a year. Speaking to Stat, the New England Journal of Medicine editor-in-chief said at least a third of the journal’s roughly 200 yearly articles are connected to taxpayer funding.

Community Hospitals Hit Disproportionately By Covid: Study

Morning Briefing

A new study into “downstream” health care impacts of covid shows how community hospitals were more severely hit by central line-associated bloodstream infections and other care-associated infections during the pandemic. Also: Becker’s reports on the best hospitals to work for in each state.

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 the infant formula shortage, online medical data, mattresses-in-a-box, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and more.

CMS Pushes Back Controversial Radiation Oncology Model

Morning Briefing

Modern Healthcare says radiation oncologists oppose the model’s design, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation wants to test whether it will save money. Under the new federal government rule, once a decision is made CMS must propose a new start date 6 months ahead.

Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine Found 86% Effective For Older Adults

Morning Briefing

The respiratory syncytial virus vaccine is experimental but has already been in clinical trials. Pfizer says there were no safety concerns. About 14,000 Americans die of RSV each year, reports say.

Abortion Access Shrinks With New Restrictions In Effect In 4 More States

Morning Briefing

Abortion “trigger laws” were enacted in Idaho, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas this week. And a judge rejected a request for a temporary injunction on Florida’s 15-week ban. News outlets report on the barriers patients face even in states where abortion is still allowed.

Report Says Up To 4 Million Out Of Work Because Of Long Covid

Morning Briefing

This figure from a new survey is more than twice the number of earlier estimates. The cost of missed work hours may be around $170 billion a year. Also: variant covid rapid tests, covid in kids under 5, New Mexico’s governor has covid, and more.

Monkeypox Case Trends Hint At Progress In Curbing Spread

Morning Briefing

Globally, new reported cases declined 21% in the last week, though the World Health Organization says that numbers are still steeply climbing in the Americas. Officials in San Francisco and Los Angeles are also seeing signs that the outbreak is slowing in those areas.

First Edition: Aug. 26, 2022

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition will not be published Aug. 29 through Sept. 5. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Cases Of West Nile Virus Climb In Louisiana; Precautions Advised

Morning Briefing

The state is experiencing a very challenging West Nile season, according to a regional medical director quoted by AP. Among other news, reports say the wife of a Northern California congressman died after taking an herbal remedy.