Republicans Add Anti-LGBTQ+ Efforts To Funding Bills
August 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The 19th reports activists are calling the number and severity of anti-LGBTQ+ provisions added to “must-pass” funding bills an “unprecedented attempt” by lawmakers to restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Meanwhile, Florida bans AP Psychology because of its discussion of gender identity.
Effort Begins For An Abortion-Rights Constitutional Amendment In Arizona
August 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion-rights activists want to ask Arizona’s voters to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights, AP says. Meanwhile, in Utah, courts are considering a case influenced by what the state’s attorneys argue was the “original public meaning” of the 1895 state constitution, which didn’t guarantee abortion rights.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, August 9, 2023
August 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion vote, long covid, Wegovy heart benefits, LGBTQ+ health, nonprofit hospitals, daily steps, air pollution, and more are in the news.
Ohio Rejects GOP’s Attempt To Quash Abortion Vote; November Battle Looms
August 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP says voters “resoundingly” rejected a Republican-led effort to make it more difficult to change Ohio’s constitution — meaning an abortion rights amendment effort in the fall has a lower bar to reach. Meanwhile, Politico explains why the vote wasn’t a particularly close race, but USA Today reports why the November vote is still a challenge.
First Edition: Aug. 9, 2023
August 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As a Union Pushes to Cap Hospital CEO Pay, It’s Accused of Playing Politics
By Molly Castle Work
August 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A union is asking Los Angeles city voters to cap hospital executive pay at the U.S. president’s salary. However, hospitals accuse the union of using the proposal as political leverage, and policy experts question whether the policy, if enacted, would be workable.
Pioneering Study Links Testicular Cancer Among Military Personnel to ‘Forever Chemicals’
By Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime
August 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The military first documented health concerns surrounding chemicals known as PFAS decades ago yet has continued to use firefighting foam made with them. Despite scores of lawsuits by its personnel and high rates of testicular cancer among troops, it has been slow to investigate a connection.
Viewpoints: Will Ohio Enshrine Abortion Rights?; Still No Word On Cost Of OTC Birth Control Pills
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss abortion rights, OTC birth control, covid and more.
1 In 4 Nursing Homes In Missouri Are Operating Uninspected
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Missouri Independent says that although federal law requires states to conduct an unannounced inspection at least every 15 months for health and safety compliance, many homes haven’t had an inspection for two or more years. Among other news, worries over West Nile virus in Colorado.
Landmark Change Allowing More Gay Men To Donate Blood Goes Into Effect
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
In other public health news: a remarkable lung transplant in two people with organs flipped left to right compared with normal anatomy; the Air Force and Space Force are offering new mental health referrals; worries over AI influencer trends and mental health; and more.
2021 Data Show Majority With Opioid Use Disorder Didn’t Receive Meds
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
CDC data from 2021 show only around 1 in 5 adults with an opioid use disorder received medications to help treat them, despite the fact that over 80,000 people died from opioid overdoses that year. Experts say that access to the meds is tougher for Black adults and women.
Study Casts Doubt On Breast Cancer Screening For Those Over 70
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new study says women 70 and older who underwent mammograms were more likely to be diagnosed with tumors that actually posed no threat to their health, compared to those who were unscreened. Separately, a study found Black men have lower melanoma survival rates.
Shortage Of Black Widow Spider Bite Anti-Venom Ending
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Merck, which makes the Antivenin medication, only sells between 300 and 800 vials per year, and is saying it’s back in supply. Separately, the WHO warns over a batch of contaminated cold syrup made in India — part of an ongoing problem with manufacturing quality.
Equal Employment Agency Urging Businesses To Back New Pregnancy Law
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrows encouraged feedback on how workplaces would be affected, as well as ways to assist employers and workers in understanding the law. Other reproductive health news is on the postpartum depression pill, the closing of maternity wards, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, August 8, 2023
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicare drug coverage, maternity care, abortion vote, ‘Eris’ covid variant, surprise medical bills, opioids, and more are in the news.
Billing Arbitration Comes To An End After Changes To No Surprises Act
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Last week, a court ruling saw parts of the surprise billing law vacated, and this has now resulted in the federal government stopping processing payment disputes between providers and insurers over out-of-network bills, Modern Healthcare reports. Axios notes insurers sometimes pay double for the same procedure versus Medicare Advantage prices.
New Covid Variant EG.5, Or ‘Eris,’ Among Fastest-Spreading So Far
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the rapid spread of a new covid variant labeled EG.5, unofficially known as “Eris,” which may be among the fastest-spreading yet due to a mutation. Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune notes covid cases are ticking up as summer comes to an end, and The Washington Post explains why it may be hard to find covid tests.
Ohioans Decide Today On Referendum That Could Upend Abortion Vote
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The outcome of today’s election — which will decide whether to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution from 50% to 60% — likely will have broader implications for the 2024 election and beyond. Turnout for the special election has already blown away expectations.
First Edition: Aug. 8, 2023
August 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
What One Lending Company’s Hospital Contracts Reveal About Financing Patient Debt
By Noam N. Levey
August 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Within two years of North Carolina’s public university system going into business with AccessOne to finance patients’ payment plans, nearly half of its patients were in loans that charged interest. As federal scrutiny increases on lenders, KFF Health News is sharing that contract and others obtained through public records requests.