Morning Briefing for Thursday, November 9, 2023
November 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
KFF Health News' Morning Briefing will not be published Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. Look for it again in your inbox Monday.
Senate Panel Passes Package Of Reforms That Would Limit PBMs
November 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The package, passed by a prominent Senate panel, has a broad range of health care policies including substance abuse and mental health care, but the headline-grabbing effort limits certain practices by PBMs with a goal of limiting patient costs. Also in the news: Medicare solvency, and more.
First Edition: Nov. 9, 2023
November 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Friday, Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day. Look for it again in your inbox Monday. Here are today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A New RSV Shot Could Help Protect Babies This Winter — If They Can Get It in Time
By Amelia Templeton, Oregon Public Broadcasting
November 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Supply problems, a high price tag, and bureaucratic obstacles are slowing the distribution of a therapy that can protect infants from the respiratory syncytial virus. That will leave them unnecessarily at risk of hospitalization this winter, pediatricians fear.
Underdiagnosed and Undertreated, Young Black Males With ADHD Get Left Behind
By Claire Sibonney
November 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A recent study found that young Black males are substantially more likely to be underdiagnosed and undertreated for the neurological condition than white peers.
An Arm and a Leg: ‘Your Money or Your Life’: This Doctor Wrote the Book on Medical Debt
By Dan Weissmann
November 9, 2023
Podcast
What happens when you can’t afford the health care you need? On this episode of “An Arm and a Leg,” hear from emergency medicine physician and historian Luke Messac about the history of medical debt collection in the United States.
Ohio votó a favor del aborto. Podrían seguir otros 11 estados el próximo año
By Bram Sable-Smith
November 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
El impulso para llevar el polémico tema a los votantes llega después de la serie de victorias en las votaciones del año pasado a favor del derecho al aborto en seis estados: California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana y Vermont.
Viewpoints: Abortion Vote Means Ohio Is Bluer Than The GOP Thinks; Mental Health Struggles Hurt Our Youth
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss abortion, mental health, colorblindness, and more.
Ozempic Is Used To Counteract Psychiatric Medication Weight Gain
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Marijuana Use Linked To Heart Attack Risk, Especially For Older People
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Two new pieces of research suggest that using marijuana could lead to a higher heart attack risk, especially among older people, though both sets of data come with caveats about the results. Meanwhile, federal nutrition guidelines may soon warn against eating ultra-processed foods.
FTC Challenges Over 100 Brand-Name Meds’ Patents For Inaccuracies
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The issue, the Federal Trade Commission says, is improper or inaccurate patent listings made by some of the world’s biggest drugmakers. Among other news, the FDA says Accord Healthcare has resumed making the common cancer drug methotrexate amid ongoing cancer drug shortages.
CMS Nursing Home Staffing Standards Aren’t Realistic, Fla. Association Warns
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Florida’s largest nursing home industry group, the Florida Health Care Association, wrote to CMS to warn that most nursing homes wouldn’t be able to meet the proposed standards for care, and if they did, they may have to turn away residents. Also in the news, a possible L.A. County physician strike.
Supreme Court May Uphold Gun Bans For Accused Domestic Abusers
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report that though some Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical on the matter, they may be inclined to uphold a law banning those accused of domestic abuse from owning guns — showing “little sympathy” for one abuser who was arguing for his Second Amendment gun rights.
Officials Call For More Syphilis Testing For Newborns Amid Skyrocketing Cases
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
CDC data show over 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022, ten times the rate a decade ago, triggering a call for better testing and treatment during pregnancies. Separately, even as RSV season begins, demand for newly-approved antibody injections has already outstripped supply.
VA Stops Collecting Pension Debt From Some Vets It Mistakenly Overpaid
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, reports say that some military beneficiaries of Tricare or the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program may be paying more in 2024. Also, researchers found that service members’ and veterans’ sensitive medical data can be purchased for very low prices by brokers.
Votes In Virginia, Kentucky Will Also Impact Abortion Politics
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Both chambers of the Virginia legislature will next be controlled by Democrats, in an Election Day development that sets back Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s plans to push anti-abortion measures. And in Kentucky, Gov. Andy Beshear won reelection in a race in which the abortion issue played a key role.
What Tuesday’s Results Could Mean For The 2024 Elections
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
With abortion-rights advocates sealing important wins, news outlets consider how this illuminates the path voters may take in 2024. Meanwhile, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considered whether Texas can be forced to allow medically necessary abortions, defying its ban.
Dr. Monica Bertagnolli Confirmed As New NIH Director, Despite Sanders’ ‘No’
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Senate voted 62 to 36 Tuesday to confirm cancer surgeon Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli to the directorship of the National Institutes of Health, overriding objections from Senate health committee chair Bernie Sanders, who had voiced concerns over Bertagnolli’s ability to combat high drug prices.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 8, 2023
November 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Election results, abortion politics, NIH director confirmed, gun violence, syphilis testing, nursing home staffing, and more are in the news.
