Viewpoints: Pediatric Cancer Research Should Be Shared; Congress Must Close Hospital Price Transparency Loophole
March 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle pediatric cancer, health care price transparency, contraceptives, and more.
White House Launches Push For Access, Training On Overdose Reversal Meds
March 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration says that part of its efforts to stem the national overdose crisis will include “flooding the zone” with naloxone, a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose. Other federal news reports on the 340B drug discount program and the Change Healthcare hack.
Biden Campaign Seizes On Trump’s Threat To Cut Medicare, Social Security
March 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden will hold more than 13 news conferences through Friday across key swing states, all focused on protecting the entitlement programs, the Hill reports. Meanwhile, Politico reports that the CDC might also shrink if former President Donald Trump is elected.
‘Judge Shopping’ Could Become Harder After Move By Federal Courts
March 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
The mifepristone case raised the visibility of the practice by some advocacy groups to file lawsuits in front of courts or judges that are likely to be more sympathetic or friendly to the case. Other reproductive health news reports on birth control, the maternal health crisis, Medicaid coverage, and more.
Global Life Expectancy Dipped By 1.6 Years From 2019 To 2021
March 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
CIDRAP reports on the “stunning reversal of decades of progress,” thanks to the pandemic. Other covid news is on the fourth anniversary of the pandemic, nasal swabbing at airports, and more.
First Edition: March 13, 2024
March 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Concerns Grow Over Quality of Care as Investor Groups Buy Not-for-Profit Nursing Homes
By Harris Meyer
March 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For-profit groups own more than 70% of U.S. nursing homes. Industry leaders and researchers wonder whether corporations and investors can succeed where not-for-profit organizations have struggled. Or, will quality of care suffer in the name of making money?
West Virginia City Once Battered by Opioid Overdoses Confronts ‘Fourth Wave’
By Taylor Sisk
March 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Years of struggle prepared residents in Cabell County, West Virginia, to confront the latest wave of the opioid epidemic as mixtures of fentanyl and other drugs claim lives nationwide.
Secret Contract Aims to Upend Landmark California Prison Litigation
By Don Thompson
March 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California has commissioned an exhaustive study of whether its prisons provide a constitutional level of mental health care, which it could use to try to end one of the lawsuits that have federal courts overseeing the state’s prisons. But corrections officials won’t disclose even basic details of the consultants’ contract, including its cost to taxpayers.
Movimientos en contra de las vacunas perjudican a los niños más vulnerables
By Amy Maxmen
March 12, 2024
KFF Health News Original
La desinformación, junto con un movimiento por el derecho de los padres que aleja la toma de decisiones de la salud pública, ha contribuido a las tasas de vacunación infantil más bajas en una década.
Tal vez tu crédito ya no se destruya por una cuenta médica impaga
By Molly Castle Work
March 12, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Rob Bonta, fiscal general de California, anunció que está apoyando una legislación para impedir que la deuda médica aparezca en los informes de crédito del consumidor.
Scientists Now Say A Second Flu Strain Could Be Forced Into Extinction
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Recently, one flu strain was found to have gone extinct during the covid pandemic, influencing this year’s flu shots. Scientists say it may be possible to eradicate a second strain, of the total four, too. Also in the news: early ovarian cancer detection.
Viewpoints: Health Care Cyberattacks Are On The Rise; Measles Is Much Worse Than Some Parents Realize
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle health care cyberattacks, measles, CRISPR, and Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
CDC To Assist With Measles Outbreak At Chicago Migrant Shelter
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Chicago Department of Public Health reports 3 more cases at the shelter, prompting a team of CDC experts to join efforts to stem infections. Measles cases in California are in the news, as well as the impact of growing vaccine delays or hesitancy.
IVF For Injured Single Vets, Same-Sex Couples To Be Covered By VA
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Department of Veterans Affairs had faced legal challenges alleging its IVF coverage was discriminatory. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, Democratic lawmakers push to boost coverage rules and protect access to IVF treatments.
Health Providers Urge CMS To Extend Hospital-At-Home Waiver Program
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Johns Hopkins, Henry Ford Health, and the American Medical Association were among groups who signed a letter sent to congressional leaders Monday. Other news is on Steward Health, the VA’s EHR system, a nurse’s strike in Chicago, and more.
Study Highlights Doctors’ Failures To Give Opioid Addiction Drugs To Kids
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Boston Globe reports on a recent study that showed only 5% of pediatricians surveyed had ever prescribed two common opioid addiction treatments. Also in the news: Changes in methadone treatments are coming.
Lawsuit Settlement In Florida Unwinds Some ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Rules
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The settlement says teachers and students can discuss LGBTQ+ matters and “largely” cancels impacts of signature legislation from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Washington Post says. His office noted the law is still in effect.
Walgreens Settles Charges Of Infant Formula Price Inflation In New York
March 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
New York Attorney General Letitia James had accused Walgreens of inflating prices after the Abbott Labs recall led to a formula shortage. Also in the news: A child died from flu in Michigan; 10 states sue over a “sham” women’s cancer charity; and more.