Worries Rise Pentagon Abortion Access Policy Could Be Forced To Change
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
A former Pentagon undersecretary argued in an op-ed that the Defense Department’s abortion policy could be changed at the whim of an incoming administration. An Arkansas Air Guard Commander recently resigned in protest over the policy.
After Fast Closure Of Missouri Nursing Home, One Resident Is Still Missing
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Northview Village Nursing Home in St. Louis made headlines when it abruptly shut last month, leaving residents and families scrambling: and one former resident still hasn’t been located, prompting a the issuance of a silver advisory. Other news is from California, Texas, and elsewhere.
Study Links Acetaminophen Use In Pregnancy With Language Delays
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
News coverage of the study, which came from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, notes that children of moms who took acetaminophen during pregnancy had smaller vocabularies and shorter sentence lengths. That was especially pronounced when it was taken during the third trimester. Also in the news: hearing aids as a lifesaver, the Mediterranean diet wins again, and the reason urine is yellow.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, January 4, 2024
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new antibiotic, affordable treatments, insulin costs, covid vaccines and cases, Medicare, abortion access, and more are in the news.
Novel Roche Antibiotic Works Against Dangerous Drug-Resistant Bacteria
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new zosurabalpin drug proved able to fight carbapenem-resistant acinetobacter baumannii in mice. The drug-resistant bug, also known as CRAB, kills in as many as 60% of cases. It’s top of the WHO’s hit-list for pathogens that need new drugs.
CVS Will Soon Recommend Biosimilars Instead Of AbbVie’s Humira
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
CVS Health will drop the rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira from some of its lists of preferred drugs for reimbursement as of April 1 in favor of rival biosimilars. Separately, news outlets report on how more Americans will pay just $35 a month for insulin treatments now that the price cap is in effect.
Cigna Is In Advanced Talks To Sell Its Medicare Business
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal explains the deal is an about-face for the giant health insurer, which has been expanding its footprint in the sector. The deal for Medicare Advantage is said to be with Health Care Service Corp. and worth up to $4 billion. Also in the news: problems for some asthma patients from new Medicaid rebate rules.
First Edition: Jan. 4, 2024
January 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Doctors Are as Vulnerable to Addiction as Anyone. California Grapples With a Response.
By Bernard J. Wolfson
January 4, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The Medical Board of California, which licenses MDs, is developing a program to evaluate, treat, and monitor doctors with alcohol and drug problems. But there is sharp disagreement over whether those who might volunteer for the program should be subject to public disclosure and over how much participants should pay.
Woman Petitions Health Insurer After Company Approves — Then Rejects — Her Infusions
By Lauren Sausser
Illustration by Oona Zenda
January 4, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Even people with good insurance aren’t guaranteed affordable care, as this KFF Health News follow-up to one patient’s saga shows.
California protegerá a trabajadores del calor extremo en interiores
By Samantha Young
January 3, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Sólo otros dos estados, Minnesota y Oregon, han adoptado normas sobre el calor para las personas que trabajan en interiores, según la Administración de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (OSHA).
Pacientes con narcolepsia enfrentan una doble pesadilla: escasez de medicamentos y estigma
By Lauren Peace, Tampa Bay Times
January 3, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Se estima que una de cada 2,000 personas en los Estados Unidos vive con narcolepsia (más de 160,000 en todo el país).
Utah Survey Shows Why So Many People Were Dumped From Medicaid
By Phil Galewitz
January 3, 2024
KFF Health News Original
It’s one of the biggest mysteries in health policy: What happened to millions of Americans kicked out of Medicaid last year? A survey conducted for state officials in Utah, obtained by KFF Health News, holds some clues. Like many states, Utah terminated Medicaid coverage for a large share of enrollees whose eligibility was reevaluated in […]
Study: Nirsevimab Helps Prevent Hospitalization For Infants With RSV
January 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Did Zika Disappear?; Surprise Support For Trans Rights In Ohio
January 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss the Zika virus, transgender health care, hospital billing, and other health issues.
CDC Data Show Long Covid Has Caused Thousands To Die In US
January 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
Covid is known to be a killer illness, but new CDC data show that the long version of the infection is also claiming an alarming number of lives. Meanwhile, experts advise it’s time to check your covid test’s expiration date. Covid variant JN.1 is also on the rise, comprising up to 30% of U.S. cases.
Blue Shield Of California To Lay Off 165 Workers By Jan. 31
January 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
The largest cuts will hit offices in Oakland, Modern Healthcare reports. Also in the news, BJC HealthCare of St. Louis and Saint Luke’s Health System of Kansas City successfully closed their $10 billion merger. Separately, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will aim to curb hospitals suing patients.
Study Shows US Food Insecurity Fell During Pandemic, But Rose By 2022
January 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
Thanks to government programs including SNAP, CIDRAP explains, food insecurity among low-income U.S. adults fell during covid. But then rose again. Meanwhile, warnings rise that more than 225,000 low-income Texas women and young children are in danger of losing federal nutrition assistance.
2 Catch Legionnaires’ Disease, 1 Dies After Visiting A NH Resort
January 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on Legionnaires’ disease cases in two people who’d recently stayed at the Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa in New Hampshire. Among other news: at least 22 people hospitalized in Utah after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning; radon exposure in Pennsylvania homes; and more.