Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Federal Safety Report Says School Shootings, Cyberbullying Rising

Morning Briefing

In fact, according to federal data reported by the Washington Post, school shootings for 2020-21 were the highest in two decades. The same report says cyberbullying is also rising, as is verbal abuse of teachers. Separately, media outlets cover red flag laws and their implementation to limit gun use.

Using Marijuana Linked To Increased Risk Of Needing ERs, Hospitalization

Morning Briefing

A study reported by CNN links recreational use of marijuana with increased need for hospital care for any reason. Among other news, Stat looks at what is and isn’t known about the Food and Drug Administration’s ban of Juul products, and AP covers the impending changes to free school meals.

Monkeypox Spreads As Cases Pop Up Across Country

Morning Briefing

Media outlets report on the first monkeypox cases in Nebraska and Minnesota, and the second case in Ohio. In D.C., Axios notes, monkeypox vaccine is being offered for free, and LiveScience reminds that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that unusual symptoms may be presented.

To Boost Cancer Care, CMS Plans New ‘Enhancing Oncology’ Payment Model

Morning Briefing

Modern Healthcare covers upcoming changes to CMS cancer payments, with the current Oncology Care Model ending Thursday after 6 years. The new system, building off the old, won’t kick-in until mid 2023, however. Women in clinical trials, racial bias in medicine, and more are also reported.

Doctors’ Intent Matters, Supreme Court Says In Opioid Pill Mill Ruling

Morning Briefing

News outlets report the Supreme Court ruled in favor of two doctors in a case where they’d been sentenced for unlawfully prescribing opioids, saying that prosecutors needed to prove more than just violating objective standards. Separately, Oklahoma reached a $250 million opioid settlement.

FDA Debates Whether To Update Covid Vaccines Ahead Of Fall

Morning Briefing

An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration will discuss Tuesday whether a potential fall booster should take aim at omicron or not, as the covid virus continues to evolve quickly. Vaccine mandates, side effects, and drugmakers are also in the news.

Fall Of Roe V. Wade Could Adversely Impact OB-GYN Training

Morning Briefing

After the Supreme Court ruled to curtail abortion rights, questions have been raised about the impact on training of OB-GYN residents, who, USA Today reports, may in the future be in the position of having to end a pregnancy to save someone’s life — potentially putting them in legal crosshairs.

Worries That Anti-Abortion Centers Will Grow In Post-Roe Times

Morning Briefing

Media outlets report on the potential growth of anti-abortion centers across the country, with practices such as promising abortion information and pregnancy testing but actually being designed to steer women into remaining pregnant. Potential use of digital surveillance and social media is also reported.

Becerra, Walsh Take Up Contraception Coverage Complaints With Insurers

Morning Briefing

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh met with major health insurance executives over consumer complaints related to contraceptives coverage. Under the Affordable Care Act, contraceptives should be free but insurers and payer groups are denying coverage in some instances. Meanwhile, demand is rising for the so-called morning after pill.

‘This Is An Emergency’: Democrats Press Biden To Protect Abortion

Morning Briefing

Members of the president’s party are frustrated by his seeming lack of action. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch covers strong words from Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who said the situation warranted that the Biden administration “declare the attack on abortion rights a public health emergency.”

Here And There, Some Abortion Protections Begin To Crystallize

Morning Briefing

In California, the State Assembly voted to amend Article 1 of the California Constitution to implicitly protect reproductive freedoms, and residents can vote on the change in November. In New Mexico, the Democratic governor signed an order prohibiting cooperation with states seeking to interfere with abortion access. In Maryland, donations poured into abortion-assisting groups. And in Massachusetts, the governor touted the state’s strong pro-choice position as attractive to employers.

‘It’s All About The States’: Abortion Battlegrounds Take Shape

Morning Briefing

State capitols and courtrooms are the new frontlines of the abortion fight after last week’s Supreme Court decision reshaped the landscape. Meanwhile, women struggle to figure out where to obtain services.

UN Says Cannabis Use Up In US, Globally, From Legalization, Pandemic

Morning Briefing

A U.N. report says that covid lockdowns and expanding legalization have driven cannabis use up, and that THC strength is rising, too. In other news, a boil water alert in Mississippi, a recall of Daily Harvest products after claims of sickness, and the rise in captioning for people with hearing loss.