Legal Abortions In Indiana Drop From 700 In July To Zero In August
November 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Indiana’s near-total abortion ban took effect in August, dropping the number of procedures performed that month to zero, according to new data. Other abortion access news is reported from Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, November 16, 2023
November 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Mental health, primary care shortages, fentanyl production, nursing home rules, abortion, flu and covid vaccines, and more are in the news.
Biden, Xi Agree To Crack Down On Fentanyl Production
November 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden said Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Wednesday agreed to take steps to curb companies in China that produce chemicals used in the production of fentanyl that is eventually exported to the U.S.
First Edition: Nov. 16, 2023
November 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Compensation Is Key to Fixing Primary Care Shortage
By Michelle Andrews
November 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Many proposals have been floated about how to address the nation’s primary care problem. They range from training slots to medical school debt forgiveness but often sidestep comprehensive payment reform.
It’s Getting Harder to Find Long-Term Residential Behavioral Health Treatment for Kids
By Aaron Bolton, MTPR
November 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Intermountain Residential in Montana is one of the only facilities in the United States that offer long-term residential behavioral treatment for kids as young as four. Now, administrators say they’re not sure how long it can keep its doors open.
Legisladores de Texas, Florida y otros estados socavan esfuerzos de vacunación contra covid
By Amy Maxmen
November 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
El cambio en la información sobre salud sigue la retórica de políticos, principalmente republicanos, que han dado marcha atrás en sus posturas sobre las vacunas de covid.
Abortion “Until the Day of Birth” Is Almost Never a Thing
By Julie Rovner
November 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
It’s one of the most frequent claims made by antiabortion lawmakers: That abortion rights supporters favor allowing abortions literally until the end of pregnancy. “Frankly I think it’s unethical and immoral to allow for abortions up until the day of birth,” Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said at last week’s GOP presidential primary debate. At that […]
Perspectives: It’s Time To Rethink Incentive System For Drug Patents
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Viewpoints: Why Are Patients Now Being Called Consumers?; Be Careful What You Flush
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss these health topics and more.
New Hampshire’s Dartmouth Health Calls Gun Deaths A Public Health Issue
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Dartmouth Health is the state’s largest health system, and in the aftermath of the Maine shooting, its leaders are saying that preventing gun deaths shouldn’t be a political issue. Also in the news: a conference tackles mental health for those who own guns; Amazon’s One Medical; and more.
Israeli Military Raids Biggest Hospital In Gaza At ‘Epicenter’ Of Fighting
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Israeli forces on Wednesday stormed Shifa Hospital in Gaza, a facility that has been at the center of fighting. Hundreds of patients, including 36 newborns, are still in the hospital. The World Health Organization has lost communications with health personnel inside. Israel’s military says it found weapons and evidence of hostages at another hospital.
Many Children With Flu Not Being Prescribed Antivirals; Drop In Covid Vaccine Sales Is Costing Jobs
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
UnitedHealth Sued Over Coverage Denials
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The insurance giant uses an artificial intelligence tool to allegedly deny post-acute care coverage to Medicare Advantage members, a newly filed lawsuit says. Separately, the Justice Department is dropping an antitrust case against a UnitedHealth Group affiliate over hiring agreements.
Cigna Express Scripts Will Simplify Its Pricing Structure Next Year
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The move is following Mark Cuban’s playbook, Bloomberg explains, where the billionaire sells drugs through his startup Cost Plus Drugs at a set markup. Meanwhile, pharmacists say that the Biden administration’s efforts to limit PBMs aren’t working, and may be hurting independent drugstores.
American Heart Association Removes Race From Cardiac Risk Algorithm
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Scientists use several medical and demographic indicators as part of a widely used cardiac risk prediction, but now they have ruled out race from the equation because it’s not a biological risk factor. Separately, a study found U.S. suicide rates were highest in elderly men, and mostly involve guns.
House Passes Bill To Keep Government Running — For Now
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The legislation now goes to the Senate. But health and food programs aren’t in the clear — “laddered” deadlines included in the bill mean some programs are at risk of expiring in January or February.
Updated Covid Shots Are In The Arms Of Around 36 Million Adults: CDC
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC figures also show that around 3.5 million children have had the updated vaccines. For reference, the U.S. population is around 333 million. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal filed by New Jersey nurses over the state’s now-rescinded health worker vaccine mandate.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 15, 2023
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
PBMs and drug prices, fentanyl, abortion law, covid vaccines, heart health, gun violence, and more are in the news.
Biden, Xi To Announce Deal For China Crackdown On Fentanyl Trade
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The production and export of fentanyl is expected to be one of the discussion items for President Joe Biden and China’s leader Xi Jinping when they meet in San Francisco — a city hard-hit by the opioid epidemic. Bloomberg reports a deal is being finalized for China to crack down on chemical companies making the drugs.