Feds Say Hospitals That Redistribute Medicaid Money Violate Law
By Samantha Young
August 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials are trying to clamp down on private arrangements among some hospitals to pay themselves back for the Medicaid taxes they’ve paid. State health officials and the influential hospital industry argue that regulators have no jurisdiction over the agreements.
An Arm and a Leg: How a Surprise Bill Can Hitch a Ride to the Hospital
By Dan Weissmann
August 16, 2023
Podcast
The No Surprises Act has helped rein in out-of-network medical bills, but ground ambulances are a costly exception. Hear why this service can still hit patients with big bills and what to do if you get one.
Viewpoints: At-Home BP Readers Can Be Wildly Inaccurate; Shifting Covid Rules Highlighted Role Of Alternative Treatments
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss home blood pressure machines, alternative covid treatments, RFK Jr.’s covid claims, and more.
Controversy As Opioid Settlement Cash Goes To Fund Police
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times notes that although billions in opioid settlement payouts come with “stacks of guidance” about how they could help drug addiction treatment and more, some money is controversially being spent on law enforcement. Other news includes trans health care, Indiana among the fattest states, and more.
Texas Lawsuit Seeks Punitive $1.8 Billion From Planned Parenthood
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Texas Tribune reports on a lawsuit it says seeks to “bankrupt Planned Parenthood” over alleged improper Medicaid billing. Meanwhile, though Texas has a strict anti-abortion law, the Dallas Morning News reports Texans are finding ways to get abortion pills by mail with out-of-state help.
Warnings For Those With Kidney Disease After FDA Aims At Less Salt
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
In April, the FDA proposed new salt intake recommendations aimed at lowering consumers’ salt intake, but patient advocates for those with kidney disease are alarmed because a key salt substitute could be harmful to some. Also in the news, the country’s first robot-assisted whole-liver transplant.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, August 15, 2023
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers the health issues facing people who live in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Sign up here!
As Other Cancer Treatments Improve, Radiation Use Fades: Report
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
A report in Stat explains that as physicians get new and better ways to fight cancer, oncologists are trying to use less radiation, including avoiding use at all for some low-risk tumors. Separately, Reuters says the FDA has approved Pfizer’s blood cancer therapy Elrexfio.
Electronic Payment Fees Divert Money To Middlemen, Not Care: ProPublica
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
An investigation by ProPublica alleges fees charged for processing digital payments to medical systems are likely diverting what could “add up to billions” toward insurers and middlemen rather than being spent on care. Also in the news: messaging Mayo doctors online could soon be billable.
‘Blue Legs’ May Be Yet Another Long Covid Symptom
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
CIDRAP details a case report published in The Lancet about a new potential long covid symptom: acrocyanosis, or venous pooling of blood in the legs causing them to turn blue. Other covid news is on the newest variant, wastewater monitoring, and more.
DOJ Lambasts Chamber Of Commerce For Blocking Drug Price Negotiation
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Chamber of Commerce’s request for an injunction to block the Medicare drug price negotiation program has angered the DOJ, The Hill reports, arguing the organization has no standing to file the suit and pausing negotiation would harm the public. Also: a focus on how PBMs keep drug prices up.
Youths Have Constitutional Right To A ‘Healthful’ Earth, Montana Judge Rules
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The prosecution called the ruling “a huge win … for youth, for democracy, and for our climate.” Meanwhile, GOP Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office called it “absurd” and said it will appeal to the state Supreme Court. In other climate news: Dementia and air pollution appear to be linked.
First Edition: Aug. 15, 2023
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Epidemic: Zero Pox!
August 15, 2023
Podcast
In the early 1970s, public health workers buoyed by the motto “zero pox!” worked across India to achieve 100% vaccination against smallpox. This episode is about what happened when these zealous young people encountered hesitation.
Promising Better, Cheaper Care, Kaiser Permanente’s National Expansion Faces Wide Skepticism
By Harris Meyer
August 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Kaiser Permanente, the California-based health care giant, is looking to dramatically expand its national presence. It’s committed $5 billion to a new unit called Risant Health and has agreed to acquire Pennsylvania-based Geisinger, but skeptics wonder how it will export its unique model to other states.
Viewpoints: Climate Change Is Making People Sick; What Went Wrong With The Covid Vaccine?
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine climate change and our health, covid vaccine distribution, organ transplants, and more.
HHS Investigating Tennessee Hospital That Gave Trans Health Records To AG
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports Vanderbilt University Medical Center is under a federal civil rights investigation mere weeks after two patients sued the hospital for the same matter: turning over medical records of trans people to the state attorney general. Also in the news: cancer death rates in rural Oklahoma, eating disorders in California, and more.
As Baby Boomers Reach Old Age, Cost Of Elder Care Is Skyrocketing
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The cost of nursing home care has risen by an average of 2.4% per year between 2012 and 2019, The Hill reported. Also in the news: Tufts Medicine cuts hundreds of jobs; hospitals dial back on venture capital investing; and more.
Weight-Loss Drugs May Complicate Surgery Under Anesthesia
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Recent guidance suggested halting weight-loss drugs like Wegovy a week before surgery under anesthetic, but AP reports that doctors are worried this isn’t enough. Some doctors report rising numbers of risky complications from patients who still had food in their stomachs.
Head Impacts From Football May Be Linked To Parkinson’s Risk: Study
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study shows possible links between repetitive head impacts from playing football with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, USA Today and other news outlets have reported. Also: Researchers have found that starting treatment for multiple sclerosis sooner may lead to less disability later.