Covid Tests Now Take Longer To Show You’re Positive
January 10, 2024
Morning Briefing
Rapid tests used to be able to show you were positive for covid only one or two days after symptoms showed up, but reports say mutations in the virus now mean it can take up to a week for tests to show two lines. Meanwhile, data show the U.S. is experiencing a big covid wave.
Instagram, Facebook To Begin Filtering Content For Teens’ Safety
January 10, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meta says it removes or limits recommendations of certain types of posts for all users — such as nudity and the sale of drugs. It will now restrict teenagers from even coming across much of this content, including when it’s posted by a friend, NPR reports.
HHS Narrows Rule Allowing Doctors’ ‘Conscience’ Care Denials Of Abortions
January 10, 2024
Morning Briefing
A Trump-era policy that broadened options for providers to object to delivering medical services such as abortions on religious grounds has now been mostly rescinded. Also, the Biden administration blocked a company selling data on patients’ medical visits, with abortion care particularly in mind.
First Edition: Jan. 10, 2024
January 10, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Mammography AI Can Cost Patients Extra. Is It Worth It?
By Michelle Andrews
January 10, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Artificial intelligence software to aid radiologists in detecting problems or diagnosing cancer has been moving rapidly into clinical use, where it shows great promise. But it’s a turnoff for some patients asked to pay out-of-pocket for technology that’s not quite ready for prime time.
California Offers a Lifeline for Medical Residents Who Can’t Find Abortion Training
By Laurie Udesky
January 10, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Abortion restrictions in 18 states have curtailed access to training in skills that doctors say are critical for OB-GYN specialists and others. A new California law makes it easier for out-of-state doctors to get experience in reproductive medicine.
Will CMS Crack Down on Prior Authorization?
By Lauren Sausser
January 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
There’s the Idaho doctor whose infant daughter developed a brain tumor. A woman in Southern California who waited months for an MRI before dying in the hospital. And a North Carolina patient who has trigeminal neuralgia — a condition so painful it’s commonly called the “suicide disease.” They all have something in common, aside from […]
Minnesota Governor Open To Idea Of Constitutional Abortion Rights Push
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
The state is seeing a “dramatic surge” in out-of-state patients from places with restrictive laws visiting to get abortions, CBS News says. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, more women are joining a lawsuit challenging the state’s broad abortion ban. Also: The Pope has said he opposes surrogacy.
Rep. Cori Bush Demands Investigation Into St. Louis Nursing Home Closure
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
The abrupt closure of the 320-bed Northview Village Nursing Home facility last month triggered issues for residents and their families. In other news from across the states, two more measles cases in Philadelphia; the Supreme Court rejects a challenge to California’s flavored tobacco ban; and more.
American Red Cross Warns Of Emergency Blood Supply Shortage
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
The American Red Cross said it was experiencing the lowest number of blood donors in 20 years, with hospitals demanding blood products faster than the organization can replenish supplies. Also in the news: Bayer to expand in U.S., despite blood thinner fails; the “better” ApoB cholesterol test; and more.
Human Error In ICUs Has Led To Patient Harm In 23% Of Cases: Study
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study finds that delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses and other such human errors made in intensive care units have hurt patients more often than previously estimated. More health industry news reports on Medicare Advantage, private investments, cancer treatments, and more.
Sanders, Democrats To Investigate Asthma Inhaler Prices
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined a group of Senate Democrats to say that they are looking into the high cost of asthma inhalers: The group wrote to CEOs of four of the biggest manufacturers. Meanwhile, GSK said Tuesday it would buy asthma drug-focused Aiolos Bio for $1 billion.
Stopped Weight Loss Drugs? You May Eat More Calories Than Before
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
A survey from Deutsche Bank found that when patients stop taking drugs such as Wegovy or Ozempic, they eat more — in some cases, more than they did prior to treatment. Also in the news: the effect of weight loss drugs on alcohol cravings.
Respiratory Illness At ‘High’ Or ‘Very High’ Levels Across Most Of US: CDC
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Of the 38 states plus New York City that are experiencing elevated levels of illnesses like RSV and covid, 21 are at the “very high” level, the CDC warned. The San Francisco Chronicle, meanwhile, reports that analysis of wastewater data is showing an alarming spike in Bay Area covid infections.
Congressional Spending Bill Faces Continued Opposition From Far Right
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
House Speaker Mike Johnson is again trying to wrangle the most conservative members of his caucus as the clock ticks down on a first spending deal deadline to fund parts of the government. Some on the Senate side are already floating the idea of another short-term patch.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 9, 2024
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Diagnostic errors, plastics in water, blood shortages, weight-loss drugs, asthma, respiratory illnesses, and more are in the news.
You’re Drinking Far More Nanoplastics From Bottled Water Than Previously Thought
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study finds that bottled water contains up to 10 to 100 times more pieces of nanoparticles — microscopic plastics that must be detected with the help of a laser — than was previously estimated. An average liter of such water contains around 240,000 nanoplastics.
First Edition: Jan. 9, 2024
January 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Rising Malpractice Premiums Price Small Clinics Out of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
By Cecilia Nowell
January 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Even in states where laws protect minors’ access to gender-affirming care, malpractice insurance premiums are keeping small and independent clinics from treating patients.