Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Viewpoints: We Deserve Transparency On Elected Officials' Health; Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Shows Why Cutting Federal Public Health Funds Is Ill-Advised
Chicago Tribune: Do Elected Officials Owe Their Constituents Health Reports?
In a statement, [Republican Sen. Mitch] McConnell attributed the lack of information as to his whereabouts to his reticence, as an older American, to share health information. “Folks of my generation often hesitate to share the vulnerability that comes with growing older,” he said. “Even in the public eye, I feel that same instinct — I can’t help it.” Well, with all due respect to McConnell, he should help it. (7/14)
Bloomberg: Why Do We Need Explosive Diarrhea To Remind Us Public Health Matters?
This week, public health detectives in Michigan got their first big lead in the cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people in the state amid a broader national surge. Initial evidence suggests contaminated lettuce or salad greens could be driving infections — though authorities caution that other food sources can’t be ruled out. (Lisa Jarvis, 7/15)
Stat: Why No One Can Name The Food Behind The Cyclospora Outbreak
As of Tuesday, a parasite called cyclospora has sickened nearly 7,000 people in 34 states so far this summer. On Monday, Michigan health officials announced their first potential source: lettuce and salad greens. Their advice was sound: Buy whole heads, discard the outer leaves, wash what’s left. But it landed after vinegar rinses and peeling rituals had circulated online for weeks. (Katrine Wallace, 7/15)
The Washington Post: Tick-Borne Alpha-Gal Illness May Be Alarmingly Common
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a report about a sneaky and bizarre illness called alpha-gal syndrome. The condition, which is linked to tick bites, manifests as an allergy to red meat. Even more alarming: The agency estimates that almost one in four residents in some states may have already been exposed to it. (Leana S. Wen, 7/14)
The Washington Post: Medicaid Fraud Control Units Aren’t Doing Enough To Control Fraud
Every state has a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit that is responsible for investigating and prosecuting health care providers who bilk the system. Many of these offices have been neither aggressive about nor effective at policing the spending of federal money. (7/14)
