Social Security Overpayments Draw Scrutiny and Outrage From Members of Congress
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
September 29, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Lawmakers are faulting the Social Security Administration for issuing billions of dollars of payments that beneficiaries weren’t entitled to receive — and then demanding the money back — in the wake of an investigation by KFF Health News and Cox Media Group.
These Appalachia Hospitals Made Big Promises to Gain a Monopoly. They’re Failing to Deliver.
By Brett Kelman and Samantha Liss
September 29, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Ballad Health, the only hospital system across a large swath of Tennessee and Virginia, has fallen short of quality-of-care and charity care obligations — even as it’s sued thousands of patients for unpaid bills.
GOP Presidential Primary Debate No. 2: An Angry Rematch and the Same Notable No-Show
By KFF Health News and PolitiFact staffs
September 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Though never framed as a marquee issue, the topic of health care crept into the chaotic seven-way faceoff throughout the evening, highlighting Republican culture-war themes.
Viewpoints: Americans Should Focus On Health Span Versus Life Span; Hospital Prices Are Clear As Mud
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss living a long, healthy life, hospital price transparency, health care innovation and more.
CVS Promises To Boost Hiring, Avoids A Repeat Pharmacists Strike
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
The goal is to ease workloads of overburdened pharmacists. But the company was also sued by a small Iowa pharmacy alleging that CVS violated antitrust laws. Among other news: Google led a funding round for Midi Health; Pfizer’s chief sees a “scientific renaissance” emerge as populations age; and more.
Death In Colorado Linked To The Plague
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
After the death of an Archuleta County resident, officials stressed the disease is very rare but that people should take precautions when interacting with some animals. Meanwhile, in New York, “ghost” guns were found in a day care site. Other news is from Texas, Florida, and elsewhere.
Research Roundup: Antibiotic Resistance; Cancer; Genetic Risk-Scoring; Parkinson’s
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
FDA Updates Ozempic Label Warnings; Advisory Panel Votes Against ALS Drug
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
The label for diabetes treatment Ozempic, popularized by its use as a weight loss drug, will now list blocked intestines as a potential side effect. Two other similar drugs, Wegovy and Mounjaro, already do. In other FDA news, its panel of independent advisers voted 17-1 against recommending a new ALS therapy.
Second Republican Debate Included Health Care, Costs, And Trans Misinfo
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
The second Republican presidential debate included discussion about the health care industry, the opioid crisis, drug prices, abortion, and other hot-button topics. A false link between transgenderism and mental health disorders was also mentioned.
Stand Up And Take Notice: All-Day Sitting Linked To Higher Dementia Risk
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Older adults who spend a lot of time sitting are at higher dementia risk than those who don’t, it’s reported. And researchers also found that even if you exercise a lot, sitting all day at work or home worsens dementia risks. Also: studies into toxic chemicals, young adult cannabis use, and more.
Health Programs Brace For Shutdown As Congressional Options Shrink
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
While most attention is focused on the shutdown clock that will count down to zero on Saturday night without lawmakers’ action, there are some other issues being discussed on Capitol Hill, including Medicare solvency, AI, and reproductive data privacy.
Montana’s Ban On Youth Gender Care Blocked On Constitutional Grounds
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Enforcement of the state’s recently enacted ban on gender-affirming care for minors is now blocked, as Missoula County District Judge Jason Marks ruled it likely discriminates based on minors’ transgender status. Separately, HHS proposed a rule to protect LGBTQ+ children in foster care.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 28, 2023
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Covid vaccines, Medicare, abortion law, shutdown watch, the GOP debate, Ozempic, health risks of sitting all day, and more are in the news.
HHS: Insurers Are Committed To ‘Fully Covering’ New Covid Vaccines
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra met with insurance executives Wednesday and received commitments that the updated covid vaccines will be covered, following reports of issues during the initial rollout last week. Other covid vaccine news is on nursing homes, the Los Angeles school system, and more.
Ohio Justices Consider Legal Strategy Behind State’s Abortion Law Push
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
The state’s Solicitor General faced vigorous questioning by Ohio Supreme Court Justices over the legal strategy Ohio is pursuing in an attempt to revive a strict abortion ban. Elsewhere: abortion protests hit a women’s health clinic; a Texas county considers a road access ban for abortion-seekers; and more.
First Edition: Sept. 28, 2023
September 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Who Polices Hospitals Merging Across Markets? States Give Different Answers
By Samantha Liss
September 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Increasingly, hospitals are merging across separate markets within states. It’s a move that health economists and the Federal Trade Commission have been closely watching, as evidence shows such mergers raise prices for patients with no improvement in care.
New Medicare Advantage Plans Tailor Offerings to Asian Americans, Latinos, and LGBTQ+
By Stephanie Stephens
September 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As more seniors opt for Medicare Advantage, a few small insurers have begun offering plans that provide culturally targeted benefits for cohorts including Asian Americans, Latinos, and LGBTQ+ people. The approach, policy researchers say, has potential and perils.
Nuevos planes de Medicare Advantage adaptan ofertas para asiáticos, latinos y LGTBQ+
By Stephanie Stephens
September 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A medida que Medicare Advantage gana popularidad entre los adultos mayores, tres compañías del sur de California están lanzando nuevos planes que se enfocan en comunidades culturales y étnicas, con ofertas especiales y profesionales que hablan su idioma nativo.
Readers Rail at Social Security Overpayments and Insurers’ Prior Authorizations
September 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.