An Arm and a Leg: The Medicare Episode
By Dan Weissmann
March 11, 2024
Podcast
On this episode of “An Arm and a Leg,” host Dan Weissmann breaks down the complicated and expensive world of Medicare with practical tips to pick the right plan and avoid penalties.
Why Covid Patients Who Could Most Benefit From Paxlovid Still Aren’t Getting It
By Arthur Allen
March 11, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Price worries, bureaucratic obstacles, and “I’m-over-covid-itis” slow uptake of a drug that’s complicated to take but often effective.
California Attorney General Boosts Bill Banning Medical Debt From Credit Reports
By Molly Castle Work
March 11, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has thrown his weight behind state Sen. Monique Limón’s legislation to bar unpaid medical bills from showing up on consumer credit reports. If passed, California would join just a few other states with such protections.
Biden Said State of the Union Is Strong and Made Clear His Campaign Is Off and Running
By KFF Health News and PolitiFact staffs
March 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
President Joe Biden used his roughly 68-minute address to Congress to counter lackluster public approval ratings and draw clear contrasts between his administration’s policies and those of Donald Trump and some congressional Republicans. Abortion and health care were in the spotlight.
Hospitales de California y defensores buscan financiación estable para retener a navegadores de salud conductual
By Vanessa G. Sánchez
March 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
En 2022, el año más reciente del que se dispone de datos, 7,385 californianos murieron por sobredosis relacionadas con opioides, de los cuales el 88% involucró fentanilo, un opioide sintético que puede ser 50 veces más potente que la heroína.
Viewpoints: Kansas Extremists Are At It Again; How One Doctor Views Biden’s Fitness For The Job
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle abortion, aging, psychiatric drugs, and more.
Panel Looking At Maine Shooting Probes Army Reservists On Gunman
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports on the commission that is investigating the October mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. Other news is on Rear Adm. Ronny L. Jackson, former White House physician; a bill that would allow amputees hoping to join the military to serve in medical personnel fields; and more.
Study: 8 In 10 Calls To Florida’s Medicaid Call Center Get Disconnected
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
A study finds that dropped calls and long wait times are “hindering” access to health care for people with Medicaid coverage. Other regional health news comes from Minnesota, Kentucky, and California.
Measles Cases Reported In Midwest While Outbreak Grows In Florida
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The first measles case in five years was reported in Chicago, while three cases and the potential for more raised concern in Michigan. Also: news on meningitis, RSV, covid, and more.
Eli Lilly Ad Calls Out Hollywood Obsession With Ozempic
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Drugmaker Eli Lilly, which produces weight-loss drug Zepbound, is criticizing people who prescribe or take such drugs without an obesity diagnosis.
ER Visits Rise 420% Among Kids Who Accidentally Ate Melatonin
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal reports on federal data showing a four-fold rise from 2009 to 2020. Also in the news: domestic violence and brain damage; the effects of daylight saving time on heart health; a new report on female genital mutilation; and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on twins, ZTTK syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, March 8, 2024
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Health care at the State of the Union, abortion law, drug costs, measles, Medicaid, and more are in the news. Plus, your weekend reads.
Abortion Rights And IVF Issues Kick Off State Of The Union
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden predicted that voters who support abortion rights would influence Election Day, and said: “If Americans send me a Congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you: I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again.” One of the invited guests was an Alabama woman whose IVF treatment was disrupted by the Alabama Supreme Court’s frozen embryo ruling.
Biden Touts Record On Medicare Drug Pricing And Proposes Expansion
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a preview of his 2024 campaign messaging, President Joe Biden spotlighted his health care priorities during his State of the Union speech. Focusing on drug pricing in particular, he wants to expand the number of medications for which Medicare can negotiate pricing and took aim at “Big Pharma” more broadly.
In Face Of Questions About Age, Biden Delivers ‘Vigorous’ And Rapid Speech
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden tackled concerns over cognitive ability during his State of the Union, arguing that with his years comes key experience: “When you get to my age, certain things become clearer than ever.” News reports described the speech as “feisty” and one that went on the offensive against Republicans’ positions.
Going Against Voters’ Wishes, Kansas Advances Another Anti-Abortion Bill
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
On Thursday, the state House approved a bill that would force abortion providers to quiz patients on 11 questions about why they want to end their pregnancies. Other states have similar restrictions, but none of them had a statewide vote on abortion rights, as Kansas did in 2022, AP reports.
Change Healthcare Partially Reopens System More Than 2 Weeks After Hack
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Its e-prescribing platform is up and running after a Feb. 21 cyberattack pushed it offline. The company hopes to reactivate two other platforms — for electronic payments and medical claims — late next week.
Radiation Exposure By Government Would Be Compensated Under Senate Bill
March 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Senate approved legislation by a 69-30 vote Thursday that would expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to cover more Americans who were likely sickened by radiation exposure due to government activities. Other news from Capitol Hill focuses on health measure expiring at the end of this year and WIC funding.
Newsom’s $6.4 Billion Homelessness Gambit Hangs by a Thread
By Angela Hart
March 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious attempt to combat the mental health and addiction epidemic in his state is leading by a razor-thin margin, calling into question whether voters trust him to confront the state’s growing homelessness crisis. Newsom asked voters on Tuesday to approve his $6.4 billion bond measure, dubbed “Treatment not Tents” — the […]