Lawmakers Plan To Fund Pediatric Training Program Via Appropriations
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Republicans had been trying tie the reauthorization of the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program to efforts to limit gender-affirming care for transgender kids. That effort is set to fail. And lawmakers are now looking to fund the program via appropriations.
FDA Says Unauthorized Fat-Dissolving Shots Can Be Dangerous
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Spas and clinics have been offering unauthorized versions of fat-dissolving injections, and people have been reporting problems like scarring and infections, the FDA says. The FDA also issued a warning about counterfeit versions of Novo’s smash-hit drug Ozempic.
As Adderall Shortage Continues, ADHD Drug Prices Soar
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The ongoing ADHD drug shortage has placed financial pressure on families, forcing some to scrimp to pay for treatment. Meanwhile, Stat reports on how pharma companies keep drug prices high and competition low.
More Teens Are Turning To Hormonal Implants As Birth Control
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The jump over a decade from 0.6% to 13% sexually active teen girls getting a hormonal implant is credited by some experts for the decline in teen pregnancies. Other reproductive health news reports on infertility, midwives, and other maternal care developments.
First Edition: Dec. 22, 2023
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Happy holidays from all of us to all of you!
‘AGGA’ Inventor Testifies His Dental Device Was Not Meant for TMJ or Sleep Apnea
By Brett Kelman and Anna Werner, CBS News
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The FDA and Department of Justice are investigating the Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance, or “AGGA.” TMJ and sleep apnea patients have filed lawsuits alleging the device harmed them. Its inventor now says the AGGA was never meant for these ailments.
Bold Changes Are in Store for Medi-Cal in 2024, but Will Patients Benefit?
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
California’s Medicaid program is undergoing major changes that could improve health care for residents with low incomes. But they are happening at the same time as several other initiatives that could compete for staff attention and confuse enrollees.
Se avecinan cambios para Medi-Cal en 2024, pero ¿beneficiarán a los pacientes?
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A partir del próximo año, más de 700,000 inmigrantes sin papeles serán elegibles para una cobertura completa de Medi-Cal.
Cancer Patients Face Frightening Delays in Treatment Approvals
By Lauren Sausser
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Delaying cancer treatment can be deadly — which makes the roadblock-riddled process that health insurers use to approve or deny care particularly daunting for oncology patients.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': 2023 Is a Wrap
December 21, 2023
Podcast
2023 was another busy year in health care. As the covid-19 pandemic waned, policymakers looked anew at long-standing obstacles to obtaining and paying for care in the nation’s health care system. Meanwhile, abortion has continued to be an issue in much of the nation, as states respond to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to the procedure. This week, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and wrap up the year in health. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Jordan Rau about his joint KFF Health News-New York Times series “Dying Broke.”
Viewpoints: Once Ozempic Is Started, Can It Ever Be Stopped?; Tackling The Weight-Loss Drug Misinformation
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss obesity drugs, health care and medical ethics.
FTC Calls For Broad Steps To Better Protect Online Privacy For Kids
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Federal Trade Commission proposed revisions on Wednesday to the 1998 law that currently governs children’s online privacy. Among the suggested changes would be a requirement for online services and app makers to turn off ad tracking and prohibit use of personal data for kids under 13.
Spotlight Falls On Obscure FDA Program Shunting Money Into Costly Drugs
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
A little-known FDA voucher program, designed to incentivize companies to make drugs for uncommon illnesses, is being leveraged to cash in by big pharma names. Meanwhile, Medicare is warning some of the largest U.S. hospital chains for not being transparent on pricing.
Research Finds Those Long Weekend Lie-Ins May Help Your Heart
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study published in the journal Sleep Health suggests that improved cardiovascular health could come from getting extra sleep during the weekend. Also in the news: worries over the use of artificial intelligence in health care; long covid’s impact on heart rate; and more.
Young International Traveler Arrived In Colorado Infected With Measles
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
The adolescent patient arrived in Denver International Airport Dec. 13 after traveling to several other countries, and is in isolation. Officials are working to notify people who may have been exposed. It is the first confirmed case of measles in a Colorado resident since Jan. 2019.
New York’s Program For Monitoring People With Serious Mental Illness Has Broken Down Repeatedly
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
A New York Times investigation finds that people under Kendra’s Law orders — a program that monitors New Yorkers with serious mental illness who are also at risk of committing violence — have been accused of committing more than 380 beatings, stabbings, subway shovings, and other violent acts in the past 5 years.
Research Roundup: HPV Vaccination; Paxlovid; Pneumonia; Noma
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 21, 2023
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s briefing includes news on high Obamacare signups, spiking homelessness, online privacy, measles, long covid, heart health, and more.
Obamacare Marketplaces On Track To Break Sign-Up Records
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
HHS says that more than 19 million have signed up so far at healthcare.gov for a 2024 health insurance plan —exceeding last year’s mark of 16.3 million at this point in the enrollment season. Another 4 million people have enrolled through a state marketplace.
As Homelessness Spikes Post-Pandemic, Midsize Cities Try To Problem Solve
December 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal looks at efforts in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where homelessness has increased 34% since the start of the pandemic. Other related news comes from the District of Columbia, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon.