Oregon Passes Law Mandating Hospital Nurse-To-Patient Ratios
August 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare says that Oregon is the fourth state to enact such a law, but some medical systems are opposed to the measure, saying it doesn’t address fundamental issues leading to short staffing. Also in the news: medical marijuana in Alabama; mental health in California; and more.
Alcohol, Pot, Hallucinogen Use Among Middle-Aged Adults At All-Time High
August 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The study noted that binge drinking had spiked to the “highest prevalence … ever recorded” for those ages 35-50. Separately, a survey found that the share of Americans older than 65 who have used marijuana leaped from 11% in 2009 to 32% in 2019.
Analysis Throws Cold Water On Health Claims Of Blue Light-Blocking Glasses
August 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
A meta-analysis of 17 different studies found that despite claims that blue light-blocking glasses can protect wearer’s eyes, boost alertness, or improve sleep, they probably don’t do much at all, NBC News reports. Separately, the source of a norovirus outbreak that sickened hundreds has been identified.
Upcoming Covid Vaccine Rollout Already Has A Hiccup
August 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC has confirmed that people without health insurance won’t immediately be able to get free covid shots at pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens when the next-generation vaccines are unveiled in a few weeks. Meanwhile, both Moderna and Pfizer reported that their new shots are effective against the “Eris” subvariant currently circulating in the U.S.
First Edition: Aug. 18, 2023
August 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A New Medicare Proposal Would Cover Training for Family Caregivers
By Judith Graham
August 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The federal government is proposing having Medicare pay professionals to train family caregivers how to perform tasks like bathing and dressing their loved ones, and properly use medical equipment.
A Peek at Big Pharma’s Playbook That Leaves Many Americans Unable to Afford Their Drugs
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
August 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Brand-name drug prices in the U.S. — more than three times the price in other developed countries — are related neither to the amount of research and development required to bring them to market nor their therapeutic value, recent research shows. Have drugmakers overplayed their hand?
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Abortion Pill’s Legal Limbo Continues
August 17, 2023
Podcast
A federal appeals court issued a split decision on whether the abortion pill mifepristone should remain on the market — rejecting a lower court’s decision to effectively cancel the drug’s FDA approval in 2000, while ordering the rollback of more recent rules that made the drug easier to obtain. Nothing changes immediately, however, as the Supreme Court blocked the lower court’s ruling in the spring. It will be up to the high court to determine whether the pill remains available in the U.S. and under which conditions. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.
Médicos son reacios a preguntar el estatus migratorio de pacientes, a pesar de nueva ley de Florida
By Daniel Chang
August 17, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Médicos, enfermeras y expertos en política sanitaria afirman que la ley ataca a personas marginadas que ya tienen dificultades para navegar el sistema de salud y que les disuadirá aún más de buscar ayuda médica.
Research Roundup: RSV, Covid, And The Pandemic
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
This week’s selections of health policy studies and briefs are from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.
Federal Court Rules Oklahoma Law Regulating PBMs Is Unconstitutional
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit invalidated four provisions of an Oklahoma law targeting PBMs. In Ohio, a marijuana legalization question will be on the fall ballot. In the Bay Area, some 150,000 residents will have their Medi-Cal eligibility reconsidered. And more.
March Recall Of Phillips Ventilators Associated With At Least One Death
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Over 73,000 ventilators were recalled in March, but new FDA data show the issue is associated with at least one death and two injuries. Among other news: the FDA approved the first treatment for a rare bone disease; the American Red Cross tussles with the Justice Dept. over antitrust; and more.
Though Covid Is Rising, The Public Isn’t Changing Its Habits: Poll
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Summer covid cases are rising, Axios reminds us, but a poll shows that the public isn’t keen to start wearing masks again or even to test for covid. In other news, the CDC says a relatively new strain of E. coli is behind multiple outbreaks over recent years, including those linked to leafy greens.
Experimental Pig Kidney Transplant Worked In Patient For Over A Month
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York surgery involved a patient who was brain dead and replaced both kidneys with one from a pig. The goal is to win approval for wider clinical trials. Meanwhile, the national system for allocating and distributing human organs for transplant is set for an overhaul.
During 2022’s Economic Rocky Patch, Health Execs Pocketed Billions: Stat
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Stat reports that health care industry executives pocketed, collectively, $4 billion in an otherwise tricky year, economically speaking. Meanwhile, residents in a southern Colorado city are reportedly arguing their nonprofit local hospitals aren’t providing enough charity care to justify their status.
Cancer Rising Among Young Americans, Particularly Women
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study found that gastrointestinal, endocrine, and breast cancers were climbing at the fastest rates. Meanwhile, NBC News reports that price gouging by gray market vendors of chemo drugs amid current supply shortages is hitting some hospitals hard.
Study: Arthritis Drug Boosts Effect Of ‘Morning-After’ Pill For Up To 3 Days
August 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Researchers found that using piroxicam, a common arthritis anti-inflammatory drug, with Levonorgestrel, or Plan B, significantly increased the typical effectiveness window of 24 hours. In other news, Facebook’s parent company is criticized for rating reproductive health for adults-only.