Gene Therapy Breakthrough Gives Deaf 11-Year-Old Ability To Hear
January 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The boy in question was born deaf and had never heard a sound — but after becoming the first person to be treated with gene therapy in the U.S. for congenital deafness, he can hear. In other news: Racism is linked to health risks in minorities; energy drinks are linked to sleep problems; more.
New Partnership Aims To Further Instacart’s Health Care Push
January 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new partnership between grocery tech firm Instacart and DispatchHealth has a goal of furthering Instacart’s efforts to move into the health care market — via prescribed “food interventions.” Also in the news; Careismatic’s bankruptcy; human longevity research; and more.
Democratic Lawmakers In Oregon Backtrack On Drug Decriminalization
January 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The state had been leading a first-in-nation push for decriminalization of drug use, but now a new bill will re-criminalize possessing small amounts of drugs — it’s a reflection of the fentanyl crisis. Separately, Southwest Airlines will now carry the overdose reversal drug naloxone on flights.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, January 24, 2024
January 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The NH primary, Medicaid waivers, abortion pill access, covid variants, the next pandemic, 988 hotline, older drivers, and more.
Justice Department Files Brief To Supreme Court In Mifepristone Appeal
January 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the document, the Justice Department is urging the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling that would severely restrict access to one of the two drugs used in an medication abortion. The Biden administration also argues that upholding the decision would threaten FDA authority.
Judge Allows ND Abortion Law To Stand That Puts Doctors In Legal Jeopardy
January 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
A North Dakota judge denied a preliminary injunction request from doctors who say that the state’s abortion law allows them to be prosecuted for providing emergency care.
First Edition: Jan. 24, 2024
January 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Los Angeles, Occupational Therapists Tapped to Help Homeless Stay Housed
By Molly Castle Work
January 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Los Angeles County is deploying a small team of occupational therapists to help newly housed individuals adjust to life indoors. Therapists are trained to recognize disabilities and help with basic living skills, such as hygiene and cleanliness, that can help prevent clients from getting evicted or slipping back onto the streets.
Preparing to Hang Up the Car Keys as We Age
By Judith Graham
January 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
As cognitive skills erode with age, driving skills weaken, but an aging driver may not recognize that. Advance directives on driving are one way to handle this challenge.
988-Hotline Counselors Air Concerns: More Training Needed to Juggle a Mix of Calls
By Colleen DeGuzman
January 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Dozens of crisis counselors responded to a survey about their work experiences, painting a picture of uneven training, uncertainty about how long to stay on the line, and different policies on whether to inform a caller when police are on their way.
With Trump Front of Mind, New Hampshire Voters Cite Abortion and Obamacare as Concerns
By Phil Galewitz
January 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
New Hampshire’s primary election was dominated by voters’ feelings about Donald Trump. But health care remains a concern — and for Democrats, preserving abortion access is a priority.
Medicare Advantage Is Popular, but Some Beneficiaries Feel Buyer’s Remorse
By Sarah Jane Tribble
January 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Medicare Advantage plans are booming — 30.8 million of the 60 million Americans with Medicare are now enrolled in the private plans rather than the traditional government-run program. But a little-known fact: Once you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may not be able to get out. Traditional Medicare usually requires beneficiaries to pay 20 […]
Viewpoints: New Opioid More Dangerous Than Fentanyl; Are We Making Kids’ Anxiety Worse?
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle nitazenes, mental health, snake oil cures, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 23, 2024
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Air quality, reproductive health, hospital ratings, unpaid medical bills, cancer, RSV vaccine, fentanyl, and more are in the news.
Biden Unveils Abortion, Contraception Initiatives On Roe Anniversary
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration is aiming to boost reproductive rights with new measures that would expand no-cost contraception under the Affordable Care Act and to better ensure emergency health services for pregnant people. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris campaigned on the issue later Tuesday in Virginia.
The 6-Week Abortion Ban In Texas Drove Up Teen Birth Rates
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Houston Chronicle reports that teen fertility rates rose in Texas in 2022, the year after a six-week abortion ban was passed. The rise is the first seen for 15 years. Meanwhile, in Maine, Democrats face an “uphill fight” to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
North Carolina Report Says Asheville Hospital Threatens Patient Health
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
State inspectors looking into Mission Hospital found such serious deficiencies in care that the hospital risks losing Medicare and Medicaid funding. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, a patient reportedly waited four days for treatment for a broken wrist, earning an “unacceptable delay” citation from inspectors.
CDC: More Than 150 Babies, Pregnant Women Have Received Wrong RSV Shot
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Following the release of two new RSV vaccines, the CDC warns of errors in administration of the shots, with some babies and pregnant women receiving the incorrect vaccine. Also in the news, the JN.1 covid variant, coughs that just won’t go away, and more.
Dana-Farber To Retract 6 Papers And Correct 31 Others Due To Bad Data
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is expanding the list of studies that it must retract or correct due to alleged data manipulation by 4 of its top scientists. Other papers and manuscripts are also under review.
Half A Million New Yorkers May See Their Unpaid Medical Bills Cleared
January 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The push, announced by Mayor Eric Adams, will clear about $2 billion of debt and comes thanks to a partnership with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt. Meanwhile, $12 million in southwestern Virginia medical debt has been cancelled by the Secular Society, affecting over 14,000 citizens.