CDC: Don’t Panic — Your Body’s Covid Defenses Can Battle New Variant
September 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC on Friday released information on research into how antibodies from earlier covid infections and vaccines do work against the new BA.2.86 variant. Meanwhile, a report covers a dilemma the CDC has over how to recommend new covid booster shots to the public.
Morning Briefing for Monday, September 11, 2023
September 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Covid shots, medical debt, 9/11 health issues, abortion pill access, patient safety, naloxone, vaccination rates, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Sept. 11, 2023
September 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Father Dreamed of a Home for His Family. Medical Debt Nearly Pushed Them Onto the Streets.
By Noam N. Levey
September 11, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As cities like Denver struggle to make homes more affordable, medical debt keeps housing out of reach for millions of Americans.
Pfizer and Moderna Are Pushing the New Covid Booster. Should You Get It? The CDC Is About to Decide.
By Arthur Allen
September 11, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Chances are, if you aren’t older, chronically ill, or obese, you don’t need a forthcoming covid vaccine to stay out of the hospital. But it probably wouldn’t hurt.
Montana State Officials Seek More Control Over Judicial Involuntary Commitments
By Aaron Bolton, MTPR
September 11, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Health department officials are asking legislators to change criminal commitment laws amid a bottleneck at the Montana State Hospital.
Journalists Recap How Smallpox Was Wiped Out and How Opioid Settlement Cash Is Being Paid Out
September 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Paqui Pulls Spicy Chip From Stores As Mass. Authorities Probe Teen’s Death
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
7-Eleven has already removed the chips from shelves, AP reported. The cause of death of the 14-year-old said to have eaten a chip is still being determined. Meanwhile, a new trend: EKG screening for kids, spurred by heart health worries.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on chemical water contamination, race and health, menopause, and more.
Viewpoints: We Can Learn From Sweden’s Handling Of Covid; How Have Some People Avoided Covid?
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle covid, rural hospitals, AI in health care, and more.
Philips Respironics To Pay $479M To Settle Claims Of Flawed CPAP Machines
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Concerns over the breathing machines, which may “spew” gasses and foam flecks into patients’ airways, drove a recall of millions of the devices. Meanwhile, a small study suggests a weight-loss drug may help cut insulin requirements for people newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Court Rules Massachusetts Facility Can Carry On With Electric Shock ‘Therapy’
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruling says the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center can keep shocking residents to address aggressive or self-harming behavior, Reuters reported. Also: tracking of rape kits, end-of-life care, and more.
It Wasn’t Just You: Data Show 2023’s Summer Was Hottest Ever. By A Lot.
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service show July was the hottest ever month on record. And August? The second hottest recorded. In turn, reports show that heat-related deaths are also up, but not just because of hotter weather.
HHS Aims To Stop Provider Discrimination Against Those With Disabilities
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare covers news that the Health and Human Services Department is taking aim at providers’ habits of denying care to people with disabilities based on an inability or an unwillingness to accommodate their needs. Also in the news: the problem with medical credit cards.
Biden Still Testing Negative For Covid, And Now So Is First Lady
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden departed as planned for his international trip to the G-20 summit in India as he continues to test negative for covid. First lady Jill Biden, who first tested positive Monday night, is now showing clear tests.
It’s Back: Yes, Covid, But Also The Heated Political Rhetoric Over Masks
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
As covid cases rise, only a smattering of schools or businesses are trying to require masks again. And the Biden administration is not pushing for that to change. Even so, Republicans are pounding the issue on the campaign trail and one senator pushed a bill to ban mask mandates.
Florida Supreme Court To Take Up Challenge To Abortion Bans
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and others tackles the law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, influencing another even stricter six-week ban signed by Florida Gov. DeSantis. Abortion rights supporters aren’t hopeful of the outcome.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 8, 2023
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC budget, heat-related deaths, covid, masks, abortion law, disability discrimination, medical devices, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Sept. 8, 2023
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Move to Slash CDC Budget, House Republicans Target Major HIV Program Trump Launched
By Andy Miller and Sam Whitehead
September 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Republicans in Congress have proposed substantial cuts to the budget of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking aim at one of former President Donald Trump’s major health programs: a push to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.