Fewer High Schoolers Vape, But More Middle Schoolers Use Tobacco
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A CDC report released Thursday said 10% of high school students said they had used electronic cigarettes in the past month, down from 14% last year. The report also noted that about 90% of students who vaped said they used flavored products. Among middle school students, the rate of tobacco users increased from 4.5% to 6.6%.
Only Half The Women And Kids Eligible For WIC Got Food Assistance In 2021
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A USDA report finds that only 6.2 million of the eligible 12.1 million people received benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in 2021. The SNAP program is separately in the news as the new House speaker has been part of the push to overhaul the anti-hunger program.
Morning Briefing for Friday, November 3, 2023
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicare pay, medical debt, vaping, hunger, ambulance costs, overdoses, weight loss drugs, and more are in the news. Plus, weekend reads.
CMS Releases Final Rule That Would Cut Doctor And Hospital Pay Next Year
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
The final regulation is in line with proposed payment cuts that were published over the summer. Many doctors can expect to see a decrease in their reimbursements, unless Congress steps in. CMS also released another Medicare rule that moves forward with a plan to claw back funds from some hospitals to compensate for 340B overpayments.
First Edition: Nov. 3, 2023
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Biden Pick to Lead Social Security Pledges Action on ‘Heartbreaking’ Clawbacks
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
November 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
At a Senate confirmation hearing, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said he would address hardships the Social Security agency has caused by demanding money back from beneficiaries.
States Reconsider Religious Exemptions for Vaccinations in Child Care
By Matt Volz
November 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Providers and health care advocates warn a proposed rule change in Montana would jeopardize immunity levels in child care centers and communities. Efforts to change vaccination exemption rules are underway in other states, too.
Medicare Expands the Roster of Available Mental Health Professionals
By Judith Graham
November 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Medicare is expanding access to mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists come Jan. 1. But the belief that seniors who suffer from mental health problems should just grin and bear it remains a troubling barrier to care.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': For ACA Plans, It’s Time to Shop Around
November 2, 2023
Podcast
It’s Obamacare open enrollment season, which means that, for people who rely on these plans for coverage, it’s time to shop around. With enhanced premium subsidies and cost-sharing assistance, consumers may find savings by switching plans. It is especially important for people who lost their coverage because of the Medicaid unwinding to investigate their options. Many qualify for assistance. Meanwhile, the countdown to Election Day is on, and Ohio’s State Issue 1 is grabbing headlines. The closely watched ballot initiative has become a testing ground for abortion-related messaging, which has been rife with misinformation. This week’s panelists are Mary Agnes Carey of KFF Health News, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News.
Medical Debt Is Disappearing From Americans’ Credit Reports, Lifting Scores
By Noam N. Levey
November 2, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As credit rating agencies have removed small unpaid medical bills from consumer credit, scores have gone up, a new study finds.
“Peor de lo que la gente cree”, cambios en Medicaid crean caos en los estados
By Phil Galewitz and Katheryn Houghton and Brett Kelman and Samantha Liss
November 2, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Tanto beneficiarios como defensores de pacientes dicen que los funcionarios de Medicaid enviaron formularios de renovación obligatoria a direcciones viejas, calcularon mal los niveles de ingresos e hicieron malas traducciones de los documentos.
Research Roundup: Diabetes; Paxlovid; MIS-C; Healthy Air On Cruise Ships
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
The Pandemic Has Faded, But A Survey Shows Vaccine Misinfo Is Still Rife
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania also shows the percentage of Americans who believe approved vaccines are are safe dropped 6 points since April 2021 to 71%. Separately, Moderna posted a quarterly loss, thanks to impacts from unused covid shots.
8 Opioid Overdoses In 3 Weeks Hit A Single Virginia High School
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The overdoses among students at a high school in Sterling, Virginia, show how dramatic the opioid crisis has become — all of them required medical intervention of some sort. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has been asked for the first time to block anti-trans youth care laws in Tennessee.
Lawsuit Raises Energy Drink Safety Questions After Death Of 21-Year-Old
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The lawsuit was filed last week after the death of a 21-year-old who suffered a heart condition. In other news, a new study linked race factors to depression among college students who are minorities at both predominantly white and Black institutions.
Idaho Mom, Son Kidnapped Girl To Get Her An Abortion: Prosecutors
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The complex case unfolded amid Idaho’s strict anti-abortion laws, which include a ban on helping minors without their parents’ consent, and centers around a young girl who was living with her boyfriend’s family and then taken out of state to get an abortion.
‘Buyer Beware’ Also Applies To ACA Insurance Coverage: Experts
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Now that it’s time to pick health coverage for 2024 on the ACA’s marketplaces, experts are reminding buyers to research which plans they’re choosing to avoid expensive surprises.
‘Pharmageddon’ Staff Walkout Had Low Impact, Say CVS And Walgreens
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Most stores remained open during the three-day walkout action among some pharmacists, the companies said. In other pharma news, Nostrum Laboratories will pay up to $50 million to settle allegations of underpaid Medicaid rebates; Apple’s long-term plans to revolutionize health care; and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, November 2, 2023
November 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Lung cancer screenings, Medicaid “unwinding,” abortion law, ACA open enrollment, opioids, vaccine misinfo, and more are in the news.