Oklahoma’s Supreme Court Decides To Keep Abortion Bans On Hold
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Throughout legal challenge to the state’s strict abortion bans the measures have been temporarily banned, and the court reiterated the state constitution guarantees a woman’s abortion rights when medically necessary. In Ohio, Republicans’ efforts to thwart an abortion rights amendment may falter.
First Edition: Nov. 15, 2023
November 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Biden Administration’s Limit on Drug Industry Middlemen Backfires, Pharmacists Say
By Arthur Allen
November 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A rule taking effect Jan. 1 was intended to stop one set of abuses by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, but some pharmacists say it’s enabling these price brokers to simply do new things unfairly.
The Unusual Way a Catholic Health System Is Wielding an Abortion Protest Law
By Judy Lin
November 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Dignity Health is suing several patients and their advocates for “commercial blockade” for refusing discharge during the covid-19 pandemic. The lawsuits could set precedents for use of the California commercial blockade statute, conceived to constrain abortion protesters, and how hospitals handle discharges.
Senate Moves To Sidestep Tuberville’s Military Holds Over Abortion Policy
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Senate Rules Committee is expected to mark up a resolution Tuesday that aims to confirm more than 350 senior military promotions to get around a blanket hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, that he’s put in place for the last 9 months to object to the Pentagon’s abortion policy.
AMA Argues Weight-Loss Drugs Should Be Covered By Insurers
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Fear of the treatments’ costs is preventing insurers, employers, and government programs from covering obesity treatments, Stat says. Also in the news: Elevance Health, Cigna Group, psychedelic drug startup Filament, and more.
Upbeat Study Into Lung Cancer Found Survival Rates Are Rising
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The five-year rate rose 22% between 2015 to 2019. NPR notes the findings are a “bright note” amid deepening racial disparities in many health care areas since rates are rising in communities of color, too. Separately, Midwestern states are found to have a mixed record in fighting lung cancer.
Dems’ Opposition To Shutdown Plan Softens; Hard-Line Republicans Dig In
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
A proposal to avert a government shutdown floated by House Speaker Mike Johnson is gaining support among Democrats, whose support will be needed to pass the House since right-leaning members’ opposition to the measure grows.
105,000 People Who Were Cut From Pa. Medicaid Rolls Get Coverage Back
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Those involved lost their insurance benefits because of missing a form or for procedural reasons, but now the state is returning coverage retroactively to the termination dates. Separately, the Biden administration is criticized for being slow to act as millions of other people lose Medicaid.
Marine Corps Has Highest Suicide Rate Of All Military Branches
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
In the active Marine Corps, the rate rose from 23.9 deaths by suicide per 100,000 service members in 2021 to 34.9 deaths in 2022. Separately, reports say AI is now being used as part of an effort to combat military suicides.
Care Denials By UnitedHealth Were Driven By Algorithms, Staff Allege
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The denials, including cutting off care for older and disabled Americans, came as the health insurer’s profits soared, Stat found. In other news, ex-employees allege the head of the VA Prosthetics Department in Colorado canceled some vets’ orders to beat a backlog.
Life Expectancy For American Males Has Plummeted
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
New research found that men now live, on average, nearly six years less than women — partly because of covid and drug overdoses. The life expectancy gender gap is now at its widest in nearly 30 years. In other research, young kids who read are found to have better mental health later.
White House Launches Its First-Ever Initiative On Women’s Health Research
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The effort will be led by First Lady Jill Biden and the White House Gender Policy Council, and will bring in members of executive departments from across government to work out how to boost research. Also in the news: questions over the oversight of a senior nutrition program, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, November 14, 2023
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
A special investigation into long-term care; Plus, mens’ life expectancy, insurance denials, Medicaid, lung cancer, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Nov. 14, 2023
November 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Adult Children Discuss the Trials of Caring for Their Aging Parents
By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau
November 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The financial and emotional toll of providing and paying for long-term care is wreaking havoc on the lives of millions of Americans. Read about how a few families are navigating the challenges, in their own words.
Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care
By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau
November 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The United States has no coherent system of long-term care, leading many to struggle to stay independent or rely on a patchwork of solutions.
What Long-Term Care Looks Like Around the World
By Jordan Rau
November 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Most countries spend more than the United States on care, but middle-class and affluent people still bear a substantial portion of the costs.
Do Republican Spending Cuts Threaten Federal HIV Funding? For Some Programs, Yes.
By Grace Abels, PolitiFact
November 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Spending cuts proposed by a Republican-led House subcommittee would cut millions from HIV-related spending.