An Arm and a Leg: Revisiting ‘Christmas In July’
By Dan Weissmann
December 23, 2024
Podcast
From the archives of “An Arm and a Leg”: a family tragedy, a 40-year tradition, and a million dollars in medical debt erased.
Trash Incinerators Disproportionately Harm Black and Hispanic People
By Daniel Chang
December 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Across the country, trash incinerators disproportionately overburden majority-Black and -Hispanic communities. Though the number of incinerators has declined nationwide since the 1980s, Florida offers financial incentives to waste management companies that expand existing facilities or build new ones.
‘Waiting List to Nowhere’: Homelessness Surveys Trap Black Men on the Streets
By Angela Hart
December 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Homelessness experts and community leaders say vulnerability questionnaires have worsened racial disparities among the unhoused by systematically placing white people in front of the line ahead of Black people. Now places like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Austin, Texas, are developing alternative surveys to reduce bias.
Caseworkers Coax Homeless People out of Las Vegas’ Tunnels for Treatment
By Angela Hart
December 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Street medicine providers and homeless outreach workers who travel into Las Vegas’ drainage tunnels have noticed an uptick in the number of people living underground, and it can be difficult to persuade them to come aboveground for medicine and treatment.
Journalists Wrap Up 2024 With Topics From Trump 2.0 to Frustration With Health Industry
December 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News staff made the rounds on national and local media in the last two weeks to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
In Settling Fraud Case, New York Medicare Advantage Insurer, CEO Will Pay up to $100M
By Fred Schulte
December 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A whistleblower suit alleged a health insurer bilked Medicare by exaggerating how sick patients were.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on syphilis, medical sexism, euthanasia, the year’s best public health books, and more.
Viewpoints: If Congress Doesn’t Act, ACA Will Soon Become Unaffordable
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
House Rejects Trump-Favored Spending Deal That Stripped Out Health Measures
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers must now come up with a Plan C after a version of a stopgap spending bill – that had the seal of approval of incoming President Donald Trump after he scuttled the first version of a deal – was voted down 174-235 Thursday night. The deadline toward a government shutdown is tonight.
How Many Women Are Dying Under Abortion Bans? States Aren’t Tracking, CDC Isn’t Pushing
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
ProPublica reports that the CDC and NIH have underdelivered on pledges to measure maternal deaths and long-term injuries in states with abortion bans. Texas’ decision not to review such deaths in the first two years of its state’s near-total ban is being challenged by some House members. Meanwhile, a new report finds that hospitals are providing minimal guidance to doctors.
During Covid, Vaccine Injury Claims Rose, But Reimbursements Were Low
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
A GAO report finds that while less than 3% of injury claims were eligible for compensation. Half of the claims related to the covid vaccine, but the majority of the money paid out was for flu vaccine claims. Also in the news, a deep-dive into outsized medical bills; and more.
FDA Confirms Shortage Over For Lilly’s Weight Loss Drugs; Copies Must Come Off Market
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
A lawsuit forced the FDA to reassess its ruling on the availability of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in the popular drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound from Eli Lilly. As a result, the agency also told pharmacies and online companies selling off-brand copies of those drugs that they must come off the market.
Fast-Growing Outbreak Of Bird Flu Hits Nation’s Largest Milk Producer
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
California’s dairy industry has been clobbered in recent months by a rampant outbreak of bird flu among its cattle, leading to recalls of raw milk and a state of emergency being called by the governor. Meanwhile, the first human case has been identified in Wisconsin. Other news reports on covid, norovirus, and more.
Ascension Alerting 5.6M Patients, Staff Of Data Breach
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
The cyberattack happened earlier this year, the company disclosed. Other industry news comes from CVS, Gilead, Ionis, and more.
What Are ‘Healthy’ Foods? New Rules Say What Items Can Carry That Claim
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to updated FDA guidelines, a product qualifies for a “healthy” claim on food labels if it has certain amounts of at least one of the food groups: dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables and protein. Other news examines: veteran suicides, painkillers, product recalls, and more.
FDA Approves ARC-EX Device For Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Stimulation
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, synthetic gel aids in recovery after spinal surgery; Pittsburgh researchers create helper robots for people with ALS; a study finds nerve stimulation is effective against treatment-resistant depression; and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, December 20, 2024
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bird flu, health price transparency, the shutdown countdown, maternal mortality, vaccines, “healthy” food. and more. Plus, weekend reads
First Edition: Friday, Dec. 20, 2024
December 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Employers Press Congress To Cement Health Price Transparency Before Trump’s Return
By Julie Appleby
December 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Donald Trump’s first administration advanced rules forcing hospitals and insurers to reveal prices for medical services. Employers don’t want to risk backtracking during Trump’s second administration.
How America Lost Control of the Bird Flu, Setting the Stage for Another Pandemic
By Amy Maxmen
December 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Exclusive reporting reveals how the United States lost track of a virus that could cause the next pandemic. Problems like the sluggish pace of federal action, deference to industry, and neglect for the safety of low-wage workers put the country at risk of another health emergency.
