California Pharmacies Make Millions Of Mistakes Every Year, Data Show
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
A story in the Los Angeles Times covers the millions of errors discovered by the regulatory board and argues that the pharmacies are also “fighting to keep that secret.” Among other news: a ban on HRT for young trans people in Georgia, maternity care suffering in anti-abortion states, and more.
McConnell Shows No Sign Of Stroke, Seizure: Capitol Doctor
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico and NPR cover reassurances from Capitol physician Brian Monahan over the health of Mitch McConnell: the Senate Minority Leader is, reportedly, fine despite appearing to freeze mid-conversation last week. Also in the news: 1 in 3 HHS appointees leave for industry jobs.
Study: People With ADHD Are More Likely To Attempt Suicide
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Researchers also found that ADHD was associated with an 18% higher chance of developing PTSD after a trauma, CNN reported. If the person had both ADHD and depression, the risk of PTSD rose by 67%. Other news is on autism, cardiac arrest, eating disorders, and more.
Mpox Vaccine Proves Highly Successful; Resistance To Cefiderocol Is Increasing
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 6, 2023
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Mental health stigmas, Medicare spending, covid variants and vaccines, RSV, Narcan, pharmacy mistakes, ADHD, and more are in the news.
Medicare’s Per-Person Spending Slows Down, And No One Can Explain Why
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times explores the mystery behind why Medicare’s spending per beneficiary has yet to spike to expected levels — a saving grace for the federal budget but not one that experts don’t understand.
As Variants Fuel Covid Uptick, New Vaccine Shows Promising Effectiveness
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
What’s known is that covid cases and hospitalizations are on the rise. What’s not known is how bad this latest surge might prove to be. News outlets round up the latest study data on the new variants of concern. Meanwhile, Moderna released lab results that shows its new vaccine offers a strong immune response to BA.2.86.
Biden Inconsistent On Covid Masking During Ceremony
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The AP notes while President Joe Biden turned up to a ceremony for an elderly Vietnam veteran wearing a mask a day after Jill Biden tested positive for covid, he ditched it and then the two shared a “hearty handshake.” Meanwhile, Newsweek reports that Republicans are declaring “war” on mask rules.
CDC Concerned Over Rise In RSV Cases Among Very Young
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC is concerned about a rise in severe RSV cases in young children in Florida and Georgia, and alerted doctors that a national RSV surge usually follows such regional ones. This fall’s potential triple threat of covid, flu, and RSV is also in the news.
Overdose-Reverser Narcan Goes On Sale Over-The-Counter
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover what to know about the opioid overdose-reverser drug naloxone, available for the first time as an over-the-counter medication with a suggested retail price for a two-spray kit of $44.99. Meanwhile, in California lawmakers consider plans to cap naloxone prices at $10 or less.
First Edition: Sept. 6, 2023
September 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Even in the Most Depressed County in America, Stigma Around Mental Illness Persists
By Phil Galewitz
September 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
An estimated 32% of adults in Logan County, West Virginia, have been diagnosed with depression, the highest rate in the United States, according to a recent CDC report.
Cozy Images of Plush Toys and Blankets Counter Messaging on Safe Infant Sleep
By Colleen DeGuzman
September 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Unsafe sleep environments are among the main reasons accidental suffocation or strangulation is a hard-to-solve public health problem.
Trabajadores sufren mientras el Congreso y empresarios debaten la necesidad de normas contra el calor
By Amy Maxmen
September 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
No existen normas federales para proteger a los trabajadores cuando los días son excesivamente calurosos. Y sin el apoyo bipartidista del Congreso, incluso con la atención urgente de la administración Biden, es posible que el alivio no llegue en años.
Hospitals Recognized For Making Progress In Price Transparency
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Meet the 15 hospitals and health systems that are being awarded for making top progress in instituting federal price transparency requirements. Other health industry news covers long wait times, medical bills, insurance, generative AI, and more.
FDA Warns 3 Baby Formula Makers Over Inadequate Safety Procedures
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
ByHeart, Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition, and Perrigo Wisconsin were warned that they didn’t do enough to find out why some of their products tested positive for cronobacter in instances that happened after the peak of recent supply shortages.
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Found In Mass. For First Time Since 2020
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
EEE, which can affect humans, was confirmed in mosquito samples in Worcester County, The Boston Globe reports. Separately, CIDRAP covers EEE and new dengue fever cases in Florida, and AP notes the first death from West Nile virus in New Mexico this year.
Jimmy Buffett Died From Merkel Cell Carcinoma, A Rare Skin Cancer
September 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the death of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett from a rare but aggressive type of skin cancer — about 2,500 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Also in the news: prostate and cervical cancer, plus AI’s potential for detecting cancers.