Morning Briefing for Wednesday, December 6, 2023
December 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The ACA, abortion policy, smoking, drug pricing, health worker conditions, military health, fentanyl, Medicaid, and more are in the news.
Tuberville Lifts Most Military Holds Amid Protest Over Abortion Policy
December 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, is ending his months-long blockade on all but 11 military leadership promotions in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion policies.
FDA Tells Court It Should Allow Graphic Images As Cigarette Warnings
December 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration is pressing a federal appeals court to allow a new regulation requiring graphic cigarette package health warnings to take effect — tobacco companies had challenged the rule. Also, strong lobbying efforts from critics are delaying the ban on menthol cigarettes.
Consumer Drug Prices Likely Won’t Fall, Despite CVS’ Simpler-Pricing Plan
December 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Drug pricing experts, Stat reports, are dubious that the company’s plan to simplify its drug pricing methods will lower consumer costs and instead may merely pad its profits. Axios, though, suggests that the move may point to a bigger industry movement toward more transparent pricing.
First Edition: Dec. 6, 2023
December 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Biden Wants States to Ensure Obamacare Plans Cover Enough Doctors and Hospitals
By Julie Appleby
December 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The regulatory proposal was announced Nov. 15 and is likely one of the last major ACA policy efforts of the president’s first term.
Grassroots College Networks Distribute Emergency Contraceptives on Campus
By Michelle Andrews
December 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Peer-to-peer efforts can meet a clear need among students whose colleges may not make sexual health products accessible or affordable.
Readers Slam Hospital Monopolies and Blame the Feds for Understaffed Nursing Homes
December 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
These Programs Put Unused Prescription Drugs in the Hands of Patients in Need
By Kate Ruder
December 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
States and counties look to expand programs that accept donations of unused surplus drugs from places like nursing homes and hospitals and redistribute them to low-income and uninsured residents.
Watch and Listen: Opioid Settlement Case Triggers Protests Outside the High Court
By Aneri Pattani
December 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Supreme Court heard arguments over whether the Sacklers, the family behind Purdue Pharma — which marketed OxyContin — could claim immunity from future lawsuits without claiming bankruptcy.
Colorado Says Drug Industry Blocked Its Canada Dreams – And Biden Hasn’t Helped
By Phil Galewitz
December 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Colorado’s leaders had grand plans to import cheaper medicines from Canada, after the Trump administration issued rules in 2020 allowing states to try it. But officials in Denver say they’ve been stymied by opposition from drugmakers — as well as the Biden administration’s inaction on the policy. That’s according to a Dec. 1 report we […]
US Sewage, Water Systems Under Attack By Iranian Cyberhackers
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Authorities are aware of a campaign of hacks targeting multiple drinking water and sewage systems across the country, Bloomberg reports, with efforts underway to limit the impact. Also in the news: the global climate summit and a fight against tropical disease; polio; e-cigarettes; and more.
Viewpoints: FDA Should Approve New Treatment For Sickle Cell; How Can We Increase Nursing Home Vaccine Rates?
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss sickle cell disease, seasonal sickness and addiction.
CMS Issues Medicaid Unwinding Enforcement Rule, Including Penalties
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that states that don’t comply with federal policies as they proceed with unwinding people from Medicaid rolls are at risk of reduced federal funding. The rule takes effect Wednesday, and includes helping states with the process.
Supreme Court Appears Divided Over Purdue Opioid Settlement
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
The complex Purdue Pharma bankruptcy case is the focus of many news outlets, with the Supreme Court’s position appearing split on the matter of protecting the Sackler family. The impact of the case on payouts to victims, and future bankruptcy suits are under the legal spotlight.
Study Says Earlier Approval Of Covid Boosters Would’ve Saved Many Lives
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Researchers from Northwestern University, using Israel as a model, found that through June 2022 some 29,000 people would have been saved if the U.S. had moved faster to approve covid boosters. Separately, worries rise that vulnerable Americans are going unprotected against covid.
Arizona Judge Recuses Himself From Case Impacting Future Of Abortion
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Arizona Supreme Court judge who once accused Planned Parenthood of committing genocide has stepped away from an upcoming case on abortion law. Separately, Democrats see the case as pivotal in the state’s Senate race. Other abortion news is from California, Ohio, Wyoming, and elsewhere.
Hackers Get Data On 6.9 Million People From 23andMe
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
The data included some personal information, such as health details, ancestry trees, and geographic locations. 23andMe said it had not heard of any “inappropriate use” of the stolen data, but the company is requiring all users to change their logins and setup more secure two-factor protections.
Second Death Now Blamed On Panera Bread’s ‘Charged Lemonade’
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Florida man who had an unspecified chromosomal deficiency disorder died of a fatal cardiac arrest after drinking three of the caffeinated drinks, a new lawsuit says. In other public health news, reports say brain implants have helped five people with moderate to severe brain injuries recover.
Philadelphia Nonprofit Uses Religious Rights Argument For Safe Drug Sites
December 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Safehouse, with area faith leaders on its board, argues the federal government is infringing their rights by blocking their effort to open a safe drug-taking site. Meanwhile, in New Jersey the knock-on effects of a cyberattack are easing; lawmakers focus on legal marijuana in Ohio; and more.