California AG Sues Anti-Abortion Clinics Promoting Abortion ‘Reversal’
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s targets are two operators of “crisis pregnancy centers.” The case alleges they are making fraudulent claims by advertising an unproven, potentially risky protocol to reverse medication abortions. Other abortion news is from Ohio, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
Appeals Court Considers If State Insurance Plans Must Cover Gender Care
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in cases Thursday involving the coverage of gender-affirming care by North Carolina’s state employee health plan and gender-affirming surgery by West Virginia Medicaid. Meanwhile, some providers are limiting gender-affirming care even when legal.
Biden Administration Moves To Block Medical Debt From Credit Reports
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
With an estimated 20% of U.S. households carrying some form of medical debt, the CFPB proposed new rules Thursday that aim to keep unpaid medical bills from negatively impacting consumers’ credit scores.
Medicaid To Be Reinstated For Nearly 500,000 People Mistakenly Removed
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Now 29 states and D.C. are scrambling to fix a computer system error that improperly evaluated people’s Medicaid eligibility, CMS announced Thursday. The glitch led to nearly 500,000 people, including many children, losing their insurance coverage.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 22, 2023
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medical debt initiative, Medicaid enrollment error, covid vaccine snags, primary care legislation, rising obesity, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Sept. 22, 2023
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
When You Think About Your Health, Don’t Forget Your Eyes
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Americans think losing their eyesight would be one of the worst possible health outcomes, yet millions lack a fundamental understanding of eye health.
Biden Administration to Ban Medical Debt From Americans’ Credit Scores
By Noam N. Levey
September 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The White House said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will develop new regulations that would prevent unpaid medical bills from being counted on credit reports.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Countdown to Shutdown
September 21, 2023
Podcast
Congress appears to be careening toward a government shutdown, as a small band of House conservatives vow to block any funding for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 unless they win deeper cuts to health and other domestic programs. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump continues to roil the GOP presidential primary field, this time with comments about abortion. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Tami Luhby of CNN join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.
Research Roundup: Food Allergy Prediction; Covid; Syphillis
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Why Is The Same Party Responsible For PEPFAR Now Trying To Eliminate It?
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into PEPFAR, the consequences of overturning Roe, and covid boosters and misinformation.
Biggest Health Care Cost Rise In 10 Years To Hit US Employers Next Year
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Reuters, covering a forecast of the “largest increase in health insurance costs in a decade,” notes that workers may be somewhat spared from the effects thanks to the tight labor market. Among other news, a group of PBMs launched Transparency-Rx, a lobbying coalition concerning prescription drug costs.
Researchers See Benefits Of Breathing Exercises For Long Covid Recovery
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
A meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open points to the benefits of breathing exercises and physical training for people trying to recover from long covid. Meanwhile, other scientists found that convalescent plasma may lessen the odds of a patient developing long covid.
105,000 Dropped From Medicaid Rolls In Florida During August
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Over 105,000 people were removed from Medicaid rolls in Florida, according to data posted on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website. Meanwhile, in California: Accidental overdoses rose in August in San Francisco; Bay Area air quality suffers from wildfire smoke. Plus, news from across the states.
House Makes Progress On Spending Deal; Worries Over Health Impacts Of A Shutdown Remain
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
House Republicans have “inched closer” to agreement over stalled spending legislation. Their terms, which would require more drastic spending cuts, are unlikely to pass the Senate though, keeping shutdown concerns high. Meanwhile, a House hearing on Medicare drug negotiations turned testy.
AI Shows Promise In Tracking Depression Recovery, Heart Health Risks
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover developments related to artificial intelligence including: how the technology helps researchers measure recovery from treatment-resistant depression; predicting future heart health risks; pinpointing the genetic causes of diseases; and more.
Worries Rise That Hotter Oceans Raise Bacterial Infection Risks
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports on concerns over infection risk impacts from warming oceans. USA Today notes extreme heat events are killing New Yorkers with diabetes and heart problems. But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Politico says, is trying to argue climate change is just ideology, not a real effect.
Abortion Issue Takes Center Stage In Kentucky Gov. Race, Trump’s Campaign
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has launched a new campaign ad painting his opponent, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, as extreme on abortion. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump’s bid for re-election is also getting mired in abortion politics despite his previous credentials on the issue.
UN Takes Early Step Toward Preparing For The Next Pandemic
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the UN’s political declaration on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response, which also calls for greater international cooperation come the next global outbreak. But the adoption of the declaration by the General Assembly may be threatened by Russia and its allies.
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s Brain-Chip Startup, Readies To Start Human Trials
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
The first human clinical trial for Neuralink’s brain-computer interface is expected to take 6 years and will recruit participants who have quadriplegia with limited function in all four limbs due to a spinal cord injury or ALS.