First Edition: Aug. 1, 2023
August 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Epidemic: Do You Know Dutta?
August 1, 2023
Podcast
Who gets credit for wiping smallpox from the planet? American men have been widely recognized while the contributions of South Asian public health workers have been less celebrated. Episode 2 of the “Eradicating Smallpox” podcast tells the story of Mahendra Dutta, an Indian public health leader, whose political savvy helped usher in a transformative approach to finding and containing smallpox cases.
Black Women Weigh Emerging Risks of ‘Creamy Crack’ Hair Straighteners
By Ronnie Cohen
August 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Social and economic pressures have long compelled Black girls and women to straighten their hair. But mounting evidence shows chemical straighteners — products with little regulatory oversight — may pose cancer and other health risks.
Thousands In Florida Have Medical Debt Paid Off By Billionaire Duo
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
WLRN reports that over 125,000 Miami-Dade County residents have had all or some of their medical debt paid off by Daniel and Jane Och to the tune of $264 million. In other news from across the country: recreational marijuana in Minnesota, congenital syphilis in North Carolina, and more.
3 Killed By Vibrio Bacteria Infections In North Carolina
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP says the bacteria is naturally found in warm seawater and brackish water, and infections are usually rare in North Carolina. NBC News reports another death from the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, this time in Georgia. Separately, worries rise over another summer covid spike.
Morning Briefing for Monday, July 31, 2023
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicaid unwinding, drug pricing, organ transplants, medical record theft, abortion access, overdoses, alcohol, and more are in the news.
More Women Dying From Excessive Use Of Alcohol; Drinking Tied To Raised BP
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Two new studies focus on alcohol use: One shows the rate of alcohol-related deaths is rising faster for women than men. The other links just one drink a day to higher systolic blood pressure. Also in public health news: West Nile virus, extreme heat, and more.
Hospital Staffers Worry Over Their Safety After Shooting In Portland
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Fierce Healthcare reports on rising aggression toward nurses and how Texas’ University Medical Center has deployed an AI-based gun detection system to protect staff and patients. Among other news: large health care mergers, medical record identity theft, and more.
Republicans Try To Block Ohio Abortion-Rights Ballot Measure
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
After a legal tussle over a ballot measure supporting abortion rights was settled in favor of the measure, a legal challenge has been mounted to block it, focusing on the language of the petition. CBS News reports a Republican “megadonor” is spending millions in Ohio to thwart abortion-rights efforts.
FDA Approves RiVive, A Second OTC Opioid Overdose Reversal Drug
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
The drug, from Harm Reduction Therapeutics, is the first over-the-counter version of naloxone from a nonprofit company, which The Hill says may result in better availability of cheap or even free doses of the drug to those in need. Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy and more opioid items are also in the news.
Revamp Of Organ Transplant System Awaits President Biden’s Signature
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Congress has approved legislation that would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to expand competition for contracts related to the network that matches donor organs with patients waiting for transplants.
List Of Initial Drugs For Medicare Price Negotiations Will Be Unveiled By Sept.
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
NPR explores a major question that could have ripple effects on both the affordability and availability of prescription drugs: What makes a drug price fair?
Millions Lose Medicaid Mostly Due To Bureaucratic Issues, Not Eligibility
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
At least 3.8 million Medicaid recipients have lost coverage so far — a higher than expected number. The majority of those were disenrolled due to procedural issues like misdirected paperwork, mistakes by state agencies, and other “red tape,” prompting the Biden administration to urge state governors to improve the process.
First Edition: July 31, 2023
July 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
To Protect a Mother’s Health: How Abortion Ban Exemptions Play Out in a Post-‘Roe’ World
By Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times
July 31, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Florida’s six-week abortion law allows exemptions in cases of rape, incest, and human trafficking, and to save the health or life of the mother. But the recent history of such exemptions in other states suggests that very few women will be able to take advantage of them.
Be Aware: Someone Could Steal Your Medical Records and Bill You for Their Care
By Michelle Andrews
July 31, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Consumers should know that this type of fraud can happen, whether from a large-scale breach or theft of an individual’s data. The result could be thousands of dollars in medical bills.
Sen. Sanders Says Millions of People Can’t Find a Doctor. He’s Mostly Right.
By Michelle Andrews
July 31, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Vermont senator sees beefing up the primary care workforce as a critical step in expanding Americans’ access to health care.
Journalists Explore Shortage of Foster Care Sites and Prevalence of Covid Misinformation
July 29, 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.
Viewpoints: Why Are Some Doctors Withholding Information On Abortion?
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine abortion, maternal health, AIDS, and more.