Feds Are Accused Of Downplaying Syphilis Crisis, Treatment Shortage
March 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Physicians and public health experts say delays in getting treatment to pregnant women are preventing them from stopping the spread of syphilis to infants. Meanwhile, there’s progress in curbing syphilis infection after unprotected sex.
More Stick With Opioid Treatment When Covered By Insurance: Study
March 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Other news stories related to the opioid crisis report on overdose prevention methods, the agony of withdrawal, settlement funds, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Primary care, ACA’s preventive care provision, birth control, fall covid shots, opioid treatments, mental health, and more are in the news.
Appeals Court Hears Appeal Over Obamacare’s Preventive Care Mandate
March 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration argued before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, urging the judges to reverse a lower court’s ruling that threatens the Affordable Care Act’s provision for no-cost cancer screenings and preventive care services. The Hill characterized the panel’s reception as “skeptical.”
First Edition: March 5, 2024
March 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Whistleblower Accuses Aledade, Largest US Independent Primary Care Network, of Medicare Fraud
By Fred Schulte
March 5, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A recently unsealed lawsuit alleges Aledade Inc. developed billing software that boosted revenues by making patients appear sicker than they were.
Statistical Models vs. Front-Line Workers: Who Knows Best How to Spend Opioid Settlement Cash?
By Aneri Pattani
March 5, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A mathematical model designed to direct spending of opioid settlement funds is at the center of a debate over whether to invest in technology to guide long-term decisions or focus on the immediate needs of people in addiction.
Biden’s Got a Taker for One of His Gun Safety Proposals: California
By Samantha Young
March 4, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California could give President Biden a political win this year on gun violence. State senators passed sweeping legislation in January that would toughen gun storage requirements, embracing a White House priority that has languished in Congress. Many states, including California, have laws in place requiring gun owners to securely store their firearms when children are […]
In Wake Of Attack, Change Healthcare Offers Alternate System, Financial Help
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The UnitedHealth subsidiary opened a temporary version of its Rx ePrescribing service for drugstores, hospital and nursing home pharmacies, and other providers impacted by the ransomware attack on the company, Modern Healthcare reports.
Study Finds Medicare Advantage Patients Experience Worse Home Care
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Compared to people with traditional Medicare, patients on Medicare Advantage had worse outcomes and less home health care. Also: how Advantage costs are rising; virtual mental health company Talkspace aims at Medicare; and more.
US Enters New Pandemic Phase, With CDC’s New Covid Rules In The Spotlight
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Vox examines the controversy over the updated covid guidelines. Meanwhile, The Washington Post explains what you should do if you test positive.
CVS, Walgreens Will Dispense Abortion Pills In A Handful Of States
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
People seeking abortion medications will soon be able to go to some chain drugstore locations: CVS in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; and Walgreens in certain places in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, and Illinois.
Attention Focused On State Supreme Court Races After Alabama IVF Ruling
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Separately, The Washington Post reports on how the Alabama frozen embryo ruling’s impact on IVF services is motivating conservative Christian women to become angry, outspoken advocates in favor of the fertility treatment.
Growing Number Of Alternative Pharmacies Lack Costlier Generics
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
A report quoted in Stat says that although alternative pharmacies are popular, many of the more expensive generic drugs may be missing from their shelves and that prices vary. Also: CVS will pay a $1.5 million Ohio fine over understaffing.
Judge Blocks Texas AG’s Demand For Trans Minors’ Medical Records
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The block is temporary, but for now, Attorney General Ken Paxton cannot force the disclosure of medical records from an LGBTQ+ organization. Meanwhile, in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis blocked a bill limiting teens’ social media access.
FDA Allows Yogurt Makers To Say Products Lower Diabetes Risk
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Yogurts can make a “limited” claim, CNN says, that the food may reduce type 2 diabetes risks — a decision that took five years to make. Separately, researchers find familiar smells could boost happy memories for people with depression.
Morning Briefing for Monday, March 4, 2024
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Voters’ health worries, no-cost preventive services, Medicare doc pay, ransomware attack, home care, IVF, and more are in the news.
ACA’s Provision For No-Cost Preventive Services Faces Key Hearing
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear a case Monday that threatens cost-free preventive care services. The Biden administration is appealing a lower Texas court’s ruling related to HIV-prevention drugs, that if upheld would have larger implications for coverage.
Lawmakers Agree To Hike Medicare Doctor Pay By 1.68%
March 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
As part of the federal government spending bills released Sunday, Congress has agreed to bump up payments that doctors get from Medicare through the rest of 2024. A partial shutdown looms Friday if lawmakers can’t push through the package by then.