Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 21, 2023
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Free covid tests, shutdown watch, abortion politics, preparing for the next pandemic, dementia, Medicaid unwinding, and ore are in the news.
Another Round Of Free Covid Tests Can Be Requested Starting Sept. 25
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Amidst a fall wave of covid infections, the Biden administration announced that it will mail out another batch of at-home covid rapid testing kits. Each household that signs up at covidtests.gov will be sent 4 tests at no cost.
First Edition: Sept. 21, 2023
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Younger Children Increasingly Die by Suicide, Better Tracking and Prevention Is Sought
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
September 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Decades-long systemic shortcomings have left suicide among children ages 5 to 11 poorly tracked and addressed. Now, as rates appear to be rising, advocates are strengthening efforts to screen for problems and prevent deaths in younger children.
California Officials Seek ‘CARE’ Without Coercion as New Mental Health Courts Launch This Fall
By April Dembosky, KQED
September 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In Orange County, California, officials are threading a delicate needle. They want to persuade people with psychosis to accept treatment without coercion as the state’s new CARE Courts roll out in October.
Resurge la hepatitis C, ¿podrá el plan de Biden eliminar este viejo flagelo en cinco años?
By Michelle Andrews
September 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Se calcula que el 40% de los más de 2 millones de personas con hepatitis C en Estados Unidos ni siquiera saben que la tienen, pero el virus puede estar dañando silenciosamente su hígado, causando cicatrices, insuficiencia hepática o cáncer de hígado.
Con cambios en Medicaid, residentes de zonas rurales se sienten abandonados a su suerte
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
September 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
En las zonas rurales, la falta de acceso a navegadores, las personas que ayudan a los beneficiarios de Medicaid a mantener su cobertura o encontrar otro seguro si ya no reúnen los requisitos, podría agravar estas dificultades.
Viewpoints: Covid Isn’t Over For Everyone; Should Humans Create And Use An Artificial Womb?
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into covid, artificial wombs, DBT, and more.
Your Favorite Junk Food? Big Tobacco May Have Worked To Get You Hooked
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study suggests tobacco companies may have used similar strategies to get people hooked on processed foods like they did for cigarettes, the Washington Post says. It all centers on how tobacco giants bought major food makers in the 1980s.
NIH Making Progress On ‘Universal’ Flu Vaccine, Starts Human Trials
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Why Are People With Down Syndrome Left Out Of Alzheimer’s Treatments?
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Oracle Health’s Millennium Electronic Records System Gets AI Digital Assistant
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
The voice-enabled generative artificial intelligence clinical digital assistant will help patients schedule appointments, review labs, and ask clinical questions as part of the patient portal. Meanwhile, GE HealthCare received a grant of more than $44 million to develop AI-assisted ultrasound technology.
North Carolina Budget Deal Moves Toward Medicaid Expansion
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
State lawmakers announced a budget deal, allowing Medicaid expansion to happen in the coming months. Meanwhile, in Florida and New Jersey, new programs are paying for family members to get nursing training for home care of medically fragile children.
FDA Surprises By Not Approving Nasal Spray Alternative To EpiPens
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
The medication would have been the first needle-free alternative to epinephrine autoinjectors. The FDA’s decision advises drugmaker ARS Pharmaceuticals that it needed to conduct another study on its “Neffy” spray. In May, an FDA committee had recommended approval.
CDC Advisory Panel Giving Incorrect Advice For Stopping Hospital Infections: Experts
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Hundreds of health industry experts will send a second letter to the CDC asking the agency to hold public meetings over proposals to update its Isolation Precautions guidance. Also in the news: the NCQA’s 2023 health plan ratings, Medicare Advantage ads, and more.
Trump Called 6-Week Abortion Bans A ‘Terrible Thing.’ Now GOP Hits Back.
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report a backlash over former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about abortion bans, with governors of states where six-week bans were passed doubling down on rhetoric about “protecting” life. Meanwhile, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who has been holding up all military promotions over Pentagon abortion policy, is said to be pushing an exception to his blockade.
As Shutdown Chances Grow, White House Warns Of Potential Fallout
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Food inspections, cancer research, FEMA disaster relief, and others are among the health-related federal programs that would be impacted if the government shuts down. House Republican leaders are revising a proposed stopgap funding measure to try to lure more of their members, but time is running out to overcome the political impasse.
Covid, Ever Capricious, Is Falling In Some Areas, Rising In Others
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Wastewater data suggest that the recent uptick in covid infections across the U.S. may have peaked … at least in some places. This news arrives even as reports say Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is testing positive, and as multiple Bay Area counties issue mask mandates amid rising cases.
Homeland Security Reveals Plans To Disrupt Illegal Fentanyl Networks
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
The plan, unveiled Tuesday, includes potentially more seizures of illegal fentanyl, and targeting supply and financial networks. Meanwhile, in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams called for a nationwide “assault” on the fentanyl epidemic. News outlets report on the fentanyl crisis across the country.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 20, 2023
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicaid, gun violence, combatting fentanyl, a looming shutdown, covid cases, abortion law, flu vaccines, and more are in the news.