HHS Releases Final Rule Aimed At Limiting ‘Junk’ Health Insurance Plans
March 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration’s new regulation reverses a Trump-era policy that allowed expanded access to short-term insurance plans that offer fewer benefits than those sold on the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces.
First Edition: March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Physician Travels to South Asia Seeking Enduring Lessons From the Eradication of Smallpox
By Céline Gounder
March 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Physician and podcast host Céline Gounder traveled to India and Bangladesh and brought back never-before-heard stories, many from public health workers whose voices have been missing from the record documenting the eradication of smallpox.
Your Doctor or Your Insurer? Little-Known Rules May Ease the Choice in Medicare Advantage
By Susan Jaffe
March 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Disputes between hospitals and Medicare Advantage plans are leading to entire hospital systems suddenly leaving insurance networks. Patients are left stuck in the middle, choosing between their doctors and their insurance plan. There’s a way out.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The Supreme Court and the Abortion Pill
March 28, 2024
Podcast
The Supreme Court this week heard its first abortion case since overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, about an appeals court ruling that would dramatically restrict the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone. But while it seems likely that this case could be dismissed on a technicality, abortion opponents have more challenges in the pipeline. Meanwhile, health issues are heating up on the campaign trail, as Republicans continue to take aim at Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act — all things Democrats are delighted to defend. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Tony Leys, who wrote a KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about Medicare and a very expensive air-ambulance ride. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.
A State-Sanctioned Hospital Monopoly Raises Concerns
By Brett Kelman and Samantha Liss
March 28, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The Federal Trade Commission has long argued that competition makes the economy better. But some states have stopped the agency from blocking hospital mergers that create local or regional monopolies, and the results have been messy. Two dozen states have at some point passed controversial legislation waiving anti-monopoly laws, allowing rival hospitals to merge and replacing competition […]
Research Roundup: Cancer; Heart Disease And Stroke; High Blood Pressure; Gut Microbiota
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: What’s Causing The Rise In Early-Onset Cancer?; Mpox Numbers Unknown Due To Early Lack Of Testing
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss early-onset cancer, Mpox, AI in health care and more.
State Department Offers $10 Million To Help Catch UnitedHealth Hackers
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
Highlighting the scale and impact of the cyberattack on UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare, the State Department is offering a bounty on information on the “Blackcat” hacker gang. Also, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) pushes for lower Ozempic and Wegovy prices.
Some Hazardous Materials Containers Were Breached In Key Bridge Collapse
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
The NTSB says that the cargo ship involved in the Baltimore bridge collapse carries dozens of hazardous material containers and that some were breached during the collision. Other public health news is on U.S. preparedness for a smallpox outbreak, STI rates among older Americans, the relationship between exercise and insomnia, and more.
Depression, Epilepsy, And Alzheimer’s Linked With Higher Brain Acidity
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study says “the culprit here appears to be increasing levels of a molecule called lactate.” Other research-related news covers BPA risk for children with autism and ADHD; preventing hospital-onset C. diff; and more.
Study Finds That If Covid Hit You Hard, Your Long Covid Risk May Be Higher
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
The strongest link, a Swedish study found, was between the severity of covid in the early stages of the illness and developing long covid later on. Separately, researchers found the reinfection rate for covid was less than 1%, globally.
UnitedHealth’s Cyberattack Payouts To Care Providers Top $3.3 Billion
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
Reuters reports that more than 40% of the payouts went to safety net hospitals and federally qualified health centers serving high-risk patients and areas. In other industry news, Moderna wins $750 million to develop flu vaccines; Steward Health Care will sell its physician network; and more.
Governor Vetoes A Bill Threatening School Vax Policies In West Virginia
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gov. Jim Justice, a Republican, vetoed a bill that would have loosened what AP calls “one of the country’s strictest school vaccination policies.” Meanwhile, in Jersey City, Mayor Steven Fulop promised to tackle hospital monopolies if elected governor.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
Medicaid ‘unwinding,’ alcohol use, teen mental health, UnitedHealth hack, abortion law, child vaccinations, and more are in the news.
Biden Moves To Stem Medicaid ‘Unwinding’: ACA Enrollment Extended, CMS Issues New Rule
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration is making tandem moves to reach people who may be unenrolled from state Medicaid programs. CMS finalized a new rule aimed at simplifying enrollment and renewal of Medicaid and CHIP coverage. And the White House will extend the enrollment window for healthcare.gov plans to Nov. 30 for people who lose Medicaid.
Appeals Court Sounds Unlikely To Lift Block On Idaho Prosecuting Out-Of-State Abortion Referrals
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
A federal appeals court heard arguments Wednesday over whether Idaho abortion law allows the state’s attorney general to prosecute doctors who refer patients out of state to get an abortion. There is an injunction against such action in place, and the justices sounded unlikely to lift it.
First Edition: March 28, 2024
March 28, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Mujeres están bebiendo hasta enfermarse. A la administración Biden le preocupa el costo de la atención
By Lauren Sausser
March 28, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Históricamente, las enfermedades vinculadas al abuso del alcohol han afectado más a los hombres. Pero datos actuales de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) muestran que las tasas de muerte por esta causa están aumentando más rápido entre las mujeres que entre los hombres.
More Women Are Drinking Themselves Sick. The Biden Administration Is Concerned.
By Lauren Sausser
March 28, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Historically, alcohol use disorder has disproportionately affected men. But targeted advertising and changes in societal norms over the past 50 years have led to an upsurge in alcohol-related diseases and deaths among women. “It’s a very taboo topic,” one expert said.