Surgeons Achieve First Pig Kidney Transplant Into Live Patient
March 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The groundbreaking xenotransplant happened in Boston and the organ was from a genetically modified pig: so far signs are said to be “promising.” Earlier successful pig kidney transplant trials involved brain-dead human patients.
Record 108,000 Americans Died From Overdoses In 2022: CDC
March 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, Bloomberg notes 270,000 overdose deaths from fentanyl are playing a part in the presidential race. Separately, scientists say using GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy to treat addiction is showing “exciting” progress.
First Edition: March 22, 2024
March 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California’s Expanded Health Coverage for Immigrants Collides With Medicaid Reviews
By Jasmine Aguilera, El Tímpano
Updated March 26, 2024
Originally Published March 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A state policy to extend Medi-Cal to qualified Californians without legal residency is running up against a federal requirement to resume eligibility checks. The redetermination process is causing many Latinos, who make up a majority of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, to be disenrolled.
Move to Protect California’s Indoor Workers From Heat Upended by Cost Questions
By Samantha Young
March 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A years-long process that would have created heat standards for California workers in warehouses, steamy kitchens, and other indoor job sites catapulted into chaos Thursday when Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration pulled its support. Regulators, saying they felt “blindsided,” approved the regulation anyway. It’s unclear what happens next.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The ACA Turns 14
March 21, 2024
Podcast
Saturday marks the 14th anniversary of the still somewhat embattled Affordable Care Act. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra joins host Julie Rovner to discuss the accomplishments of the health law — and the challenges it still faces. Also this week, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Mary Agnes Carey of KFF Health News join Rovner to discuss what should be the final funding bill for HHS for fiscal 2024, next week’s Supreme Court oral arguments in a case challenging abortion medication, and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.
Social Security Chief Testifies in Senate About Plans to Stop ‘Clawback Cruelty’
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
Photos by Eric Harkleroad
March 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Commissioner Martin O’Malley testifies to two Senate panels that his agency will stop the “injustices” of suspending people’s monthly benefits to recover alleged overpayments. The burden will be on the Social Security Administration to prove the beneficiary was to blame.
Study Links Newly Identified Bacteria With Aggressive Colon Cancer
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The discovery could pave the way for future treatments that target the bacteria, which is said to shield tumor cells from the actions of cancer drugs. Also in the news: the struggle of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
First Neuralink Patient Appears Online, Mind-Controlling His Computer
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The patient, a 29 year-old diving accident victim, appeared on a livestream showing off the implant in action. Also in the news, a study found people with darker skin are more likely to have overestimated readings from pulse oximeters.
California’s Mental Health Bond Proposition 1 Passes With Thin Margin
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Now it’s been passed, the San Francisco Chronicle explains Prop. 1 will see a $6.4 billion bond fund used to boost mental health services in the state. AP also reports California wants to up doctor’s payments for seeing Medicaid patients.
Alabama Lawmakers Advance ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law For Schools
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The proposed legislation would prohibit classroom discussions or instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation issues in public schools through 12th grade, when kids are typically aged 17 to 19, up from the current 5th grade ban.
Research Roundup: Covid Vaccines And Infections; AMR
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Is Chemo Always Essential In Treating Cancer?; Florida Is Fumbling The Measles Outbreak
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss cancer treatment, the measles outbreak in Florida, the baby formula crisis, and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 21, 2024
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Drug pricing, U.S. life expectancy, health worker burnout, cyberattacks, STDs, “male menopause,” and more are in the news.
US Life Expectancy Rises, But Overdose Deaths Rise As Well
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Politico reports on an increase in U.S. life expectancy, after a two-year dip, while Stat reports on a record number of overdose deaths — yet, there are “signs of leveling off” for the U.S. overdose rate. Global fertility rates are also in the news.
Social Security Capping Overpayment Clawbacks At 10% Of Monthly Benefit
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley said Wednesday that in addition to the monthly limits beneficiaries will not have to prove that they weren’t at fault for the overpayments, and that waivers will be easier to request.
House Advances Bill That Aims To Reduce Burnout For Health Workers
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The House is working on legislation that targets burnout and mental health challenges for medical professionals. A separate bill would revise the time periods under which CBO would score preventive care legislation.
Pharma Industry Aims To Keep Orphan Drugs Exempt From Price Limits
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Stat reports the pharma industry and “allies” are pushing back at state efforts to cap drug costs with a plan to keep drugs that combat rare diseases exempt from price caps. Separately, Wegovy may be on the Medicare price negotiation list.
Cyberattack Insurance In The Spotlight After UnitedHealth Hack
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group said its Change Healthcare subsidiary’s systems for handling medical claims were back online, about a month after the attack. Also in the news: Medicare Advantage, hospital staff shortages, and more.
Doctors Warn Climate Change Is Fueling Infectious Diseases
March 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Shorter, milder winters, warming oceans, and other conditions caused by a warming planet are contributing to the spread of infectious disease, according to experts. Meanwhile, news reports cover shigella cases, the measles outbreak, hepatitis deaths, syphilis, and more.