Advocates Say a Practice Harms Disabled Children, Yet Congressional Action Is Stalled
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
Illustration by Oona Zenda
February 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In the photos, a 9-year-old boy with autism appears barricaded between cubbies and furniture stacked near the walls of a North Carolina classroom. His mother, Erin McGrail, said her son was physically restrained at least 14 times while in third grade at Morrisville Elementary School. She said she learned details of his seclusion only after […]
Viewpoints: Measles Is Back, Thanks To Low Vaccination; Here’s How To Halt The Physician Shortage
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into measles outbreaks, physician shortages, abortion access, and more.
Different Takes: What Medications Should, And Also Shouldn’t, Be Covered By Medicare?
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
CDC Releases New Guidance For Physicians On PFAS Testing
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new guidance was released by the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Also: the EPA says PFAS “forever chemicals” should be considered hazardous substances for human health. Climate change and health, wildlife-to-human illness crossovers, and more are also in the news.
Senator Wants Justice Department To Investigate Prison Health Contractor
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, wrote to the Department of Justice, calling on the agency to halt “abusive” practices by Corizon Health. An affiliate of the company, Tehum Care, has declared bankruptcy related to allegations of prisoner neglect and malpractice.
FDA Panel To Resume Looking Into Race Bias Of Pulse Oximeters
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
The panel will continue debating questions of reliability of pulse oximeters that deliver lower accuracy when used on patients with darker skin. Separately, a study links later, higher stroke risks with Black women under 35 having high blood pressure.
Study Finds Switching Disinfectants For Skin Can Reduce Hospital Infections
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
The type of disinfectant used on patients’ surgical sites could have an impact on hospital-acquired infections, researchers find. Other industry news reports on home health devices, X-rays, and more.
Researchers Find X Chromosome Linked To Autoimmune Diseases
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Standford researchers may have found a clue as to why women are more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases like lupus than men. Also in the news: Marijuana and asthma risk in youngsters; lung cancer screening and “one size fits all;” music as a weapon against dementia; and more.
Mom Of Michigan Gunman Says Son Never Asked For Mental Health Help
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Taking the stand Thursday in her trial, Jennifer Crumbley defended her parenting skills and also said it was her husband’s responsibility to store her son Ethan’s guns safely. “I’ve asked myself if I would have done anything differently, and I wouldn’t have.” The prosecution rested its case Thursday.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on organ donation, research integrity, concussions, schizophrenia, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, February 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Opioid treatment rules, covid boosters, PFAS, abortion pill, hospital infections, and more are in the news. Plus, your weekend reads.
Opioid Treatment Rules Eased During The Pandemic Will Remain In Place
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration announced that policies put in place during the covid pandemic to make it easier for patients to receive opioid addiction treatments will continue permanently. Other opioid news reports on a series of court settlements.
Former Military Officials Say Abortion Drug Access Is National Security Issue
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Restricting access to mifepristone, used in more than half of all medical abortions in the U.S., would hit recruitment, military readiness, and impact national security, according to a number of former military officials and high-rank service members who’ve filed a legal brief with the Supreme Court.
Most Recent Covid Booster Offers 54% Protection: Study
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, a meta-analysis of covid research found that among the different strains that have so far swept the world, the deadliest was beta, followed by gamma, alpha, delta, and omicron. Beta’s case-fatality rate (CFR) reached 4.2%, and while omicron’s CFR was lowest, it was still four times that of flu.
First Edition: Feb. 2, 2024
February 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Colorado Legal Settlement Would Up Care and Housing Standards for Trans Women Inmates
By Moe K. Clark
February 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A soon-to-be-finalized legal settlement would offer transgender women in Colorado prisons new housing options, including a pipeline to the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility. The change comes amid a growing number of lawsuits across the country aimed at improving health care access and safety for incarcerated trans people.
Possibility of Wildlife-to-Human Crossover Heightens Concern About Chronic Wasting Disease
By Jim Robbins
February 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A response is ramping up to a potential spillover of the neurological disease to humans from deer, elk, and other animals.
Acuerdo legal en Colorado mejoraría estándares de atención y vivienda para reclusas trans
By Moe K. Clark
February 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
El Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos encontró en 2014 que las personas trans en prisión tienen muchas más probabilidades de experimentar violencia sexual tras las rejas tanto del personal como de otros presos.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The Struggle Over Who Gets the Last Word
February 1, 2024
Podcast
As science skepticism pervades politics, the Supreme Court will soon consider two cases that seek to define the power of “experts.” Meanwhile, abortion opponents are laying out plans for how Donald Trump, if reelected as president, could effectively curtail abortion even in states where it remains legal. Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Samantha Liss, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about a husband and wife who got billed for preventive care that should have been fully covered.
Is the Nation’s Primary Care Shortage as Bad as Federal Data Suggest?
By Rae Ellen Bichell
February 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Federal policymakers have been trying for a long time to lure more primary care providers to understaffed areas. The Biden administration boosted funding in 2022 to address shortages and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) pushed sweeping primary care legislation in 2023. But when KFF Health News set out last year to map where the primary care workforce shortages really are — and where […]