Biden To Create Federal Office Of Gun Violence Prevention
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden is expected to announce the move on Friday at a White House event. Gun-control groups have long sought a central office to spearhead federal government efforts to curb violence from firearms.
First Edition: Sept. 20, 2023
September 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
How Will Rural Americans Fare During Medicaid Unwinding? Experts Fear They’re on Their Own
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
September 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As states review their Medicaid rolls after the expiration of a pandemic-era prohibition against kicking recipients off the government insurance program, experts say the lack of help available to rural Americans in navigating insurance options puts them at greater risk of losing health coverage than people in metropolitan areas.
Hep C’s Number Comes Up: Can Biden’s 5-Year Plan Eliminate the Longtime Scourge?
By Michelle Andrews
September 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Before covid-19, hepatitis C held the distinction of claiming more American lives each year than any other infectious disease — that’s despite the marketing of several relatively affordable, highly effective treatments.
Viewpoints: Self-Care Doesn’t Appear To Be Working; Alabama Will Try Cruel New Execution Method
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into self-care, death penalty methods, cancer, and more.
Drugmaker Mallinckrodt May Be Considering Exiting Opioid Business
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The pharmaceutical maker is one of the largest U.S. producers of prescription opioids, the Wall Street Journal reminds us, and it’s in talks with its investors about selling a portion or all of its business units. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, fentanyl overdose deaths are rising again.
Research Shows Obesity As A Cardiac Death Factor Has Been Rising
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association finds the number of adult American deaths from heart disease with obesity cited as a factor soared between 1999 and 2020. Meanwhile, CNN reports on WHO efforts to promote proper treatment for hypertension.
Judge Blocks California Youth Online Safety Law On Constitutional Grounds
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The temporary block happened because the California Age-Appropriate Design Code probably violates the First Amendment, the Washington Post explains. Modeled after UK legislation, it would require digital platforms to verify, before launch, if their products could harm young people.
‘Historic’ Health Care Worker Strike At Kaiser Permanente Looms After Vote
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Kaiser Permanente employees voted to authorize a strike against unfair labor practices, after recent votes by 68,000 staff members in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Southwest Washington. Also in the news: hospital mergers, environmental sustainability, and more. (Note: KFF Health News is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)
House GOP’s Stopgap Funding Plan Opposed By Own Members, Senate Dems
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Republican House bill to extend federal government funding for an additional 30 days past the Sept. 30 deadline faces stiff opposition from a handful of House conservatives. Even if it passed, Senate Democrats say they do not support such a measure.
Med Dosage Errors Among Young People With ADHD Have Soared: Study
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The study warns that over the past two decades, errors involving ADHD medications rose by almost 300% in people under 20 — mostly in cases of taking a medication twice. Separately, a study on MDMA as a treatment for PTSD could result in consideration for FDA approval by 2024.
Despite Warnings, New Covid Shot Prices Are Surprising Some
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Covid vaccines were free until the pandemic public health emergency ended. Even though some pharmacies have signs for “free” shots, insurers and patients are being billed for them. Meanwhile, Pfizer expects 1 in 4 in the U.S. will get shots this year.
Covid BA.2.86 Spreads Across States, But Outnumbered By Other Variants
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The variant is a “highly mutated” version of covid and has now been found in 10 states. It remains a rare source of covid cases, though, being outnumbered by other dominant variants. Meanwhile, the CDC has updated its map showing where covid is spreading through the U.S. population.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 19, 2023
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion laws, Medicare physician pay, covid vaccines and variants, health worker strike, opioids, obesity, and more are in the news.
Abortions Restart In Wisconsin — And Appointments Are Fully Booked
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The state halted abortions 15 months ago when Roe v. Wade was struck down. Planned Parenthood offered abortions Monday at clinics in Madison and Milwaukee; every appointment was filled within 24 hours of announcing the news, AP reported. Other abortion news is from Florida and Indiana.
Lobbying Push Targets CMS Plan To Cut Physician Pay For Some Providers
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
CMS faces pressure from some health care providers to revise its proposed rule that would reduce Medicare physician fees for some specialists in order to boost payments for primary care physicians. Other Medicare news relates to savings programs, drug price negotiations, scams, and more.
First Edition: Sept. 19, 2023
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
¿Ahorrar miles de millones o quedarse con Humira? Intermediarios farmacéuticos guían hacia la opción más costosa
By Arthur Allen
September 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Humira lleva 20 años disfrutando de una exclusividad muy cara en el país. Sus competidores podrían ahorrarle al sistema sanitario $9,000 millones.
Save Billions or Stick With Humira? Drug Brokers Steer Americans to the Costly Choice
By Arthur Allen
September 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Thousands of patients with autoimmune diseases who rely on Humira, with a list price of $6,600 a month, could get financial relief from new low-cost rivals. So far, the pharmacy benefit managers that control drug prices in America have not delivered on those savings.
With Its Two Doctors Planning to Retire, an Alabama Town Patches Together Health Care Options
By Arielle Zionts
September 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
LaFayette and other rural areas of the country tend to have high rates of health problems but not enough doctors. Many are adapting by investing in nontraditional prevention and treatment options.