Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on full-face transplants, MRIs, radiation fallout from the Trinity nuclear test, and more.
CDC Says TB-Linked Bone Graft Material Went To Facilities In 6 States
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico reports on CDC data showing three more patients have tested positive for TB linked to bone graft material from Aziyo Biologics in addition to two earlier cases. The material was sent to facilities in six states. Also: human swine flu in Michigan, free menstrual products in Ohio schools, more.
Research Spotlights 2 Simple Exercises That Lower Blood Pressure Best
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
New research from Britain that shows 2 simple isometric exercises are excellent at reducing hypertension: planks and wall squats. Another study links consumption of olive oil with lower dementia death risks. And in unsurprising research news: 4-day work weeks are good for employee health.
Health Industry Coalition Calls For CMS To Clarify Data Sharing Rules
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
A coalition of industry groups, which includes the AMA and some insurers, warns that rules over patient data exchanges during prior authorization reviews need to be cleaned up to avoid causing trouble and higher costs. Also in the news: Cigna, Sanford Health, and more.
Tick Bites May Mean 450,000 Americans Can’t Eat Red Meat
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover startling data that suggest up to 450,000 people in the U.S. may have developed the potentially life-threatening alpha-gal syndrome after being bitten by ticks. AP notes cases of tick-borne illnesses are on the rise globally, possibly because of climate change.
Analysis Shows Doctors Who Pushed Covid Misinfo Mostly Unpunished
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports on its own analysis of U.S. medical disciplinary records, showing doctors who promoted dangerous covid misinformation have faced few repercussions. Separately, the WSJ reports that under White House pressure, Facebook removed stories that covid was man-made.
Bipartisan Effort Aims At Reinforcing Drug Stockpiles To Prevent Shortages
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
NBC News says a new bipartisan push by a group of senators comes in response to a report from early this year showing over 295 medications are in short supply. Meanwhile, prominent experts are asking the Biden administration to ensure data on patients taking new Alzheimer’s treatments is public.
Fix Mental Health And Addiction Crises Together, White House Drug Czar Says
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy director Rahul Gupta told House members during an oversight hearing Thursday that “mental illness and drug addiction go hand in glove,” and that the two health challenges should be tackled together. Lawmakers are also working on a bill to increase access to fentanyl test strips.
Biden Administration Issues Hazard Alert Due To Record Heat
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden announced that the administration will increase inspections in industries like construction and agriculture where the extreme heat is particularly dangerous for workers and highlighted federal programs to improve water access and weather forecasting.
Congress Recesses With A Hefty Health Bills To-Do List And A Ticking Clock
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
With abortion and other social policy debates delaying work on spending and other health-related measures, lawmakers will have a very narrow working window when they return from August recess before some programs expire on Sept. 30.
Morning Briefing for Friday, July 28, 2023
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
High medical bills, cancer, reproductive health, addiction, drug shortages, heat dangers, tick-borne diseases, and more are in the news.
Biden: Block On Military Nominations Over Abortion Issue Is ‘Dangerous’
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden said the ongoing block on military nominations over Pentagon abortion policies by Sen. Tommy Tuberville and other Republicans is causing disruption, and is “undermining the military.” In other news, abortions in Colorado surged, with 500% growth in patients from Texas.
White House Pushes For Higher-Precision Cancer Surgery
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration launched an effort via the new agency ARPA-H with the goal of more precisely excising cancerous tumors without damaging sensitive healthy tissue. It’s the first cancer program from ARPA-H.
First Edition: July 28, 2023
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Wisconsin, Women’s Health Care Is Constricted by an 1849 Law. These Doctors Are Aghast.
By Sarah Varney
July 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
From the front lines of Wisconsin’s abortion battle, obstetricians describe patients who cannot comprehend having to carry nonviable pregnancies. And only one pharmacist in town can be found who will fill prescriptions for abortion pills.
Texan Activists Thirst for a National Heat Standard to Protect Outdoor Workers
By Colleen DeGuzman
July 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As much of the U.S. faces extremely high summer temperatures, Texas’ Republican governor, Greg Abbott, has taken steps that effectively eliminate mandated water breaks for construction workers. In response, protesters from the Lone Star State came to Washington, D.C., to press for federal protections for such outdoor workers.
His Anesthesia Provider Billed Medicare Late. He Got Sent to Collections for the $3,000 Tab.
By Phil Galewitz
July 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Medicare was supposed to cover the entire cost of his procedure. But after the anesthesia provider failed to file its claims in a timely manner, it billed the patient instead.
Bankrupt California Hospital Receives Lifeline From Adventist, Report Says
By Jonathan Weber
July 27, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Fresno Bee reports that Madera Community Hospital has reached an agreement with Adventist Health to take over the bankrupt facility and avoid liquidation.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Another Try for Mental Health ‘Parity’
July 27, 2023
Podcast
President Joe Biden is kicking off his reelection campaign in part by trying to finish a decades-long effort to establish parity in insurance benefits between mental and physical health. Meanwhile, House Republicans are working to add abortion and other contentious amendments to must-pass spending bills. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Céline Gounder about her podcast “Epidemic.” The new season focuses on the successful public health effort to eradicate smallpox.
Covered California reducirá los costos de los pacientes cuando los demócratas obtengan fondos de Newsom
By Angela Hart
July 27, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los líderes legislativos habían presionado a Newsom, también demócrata, para que canalizara los ingresos fiscales hacia la reducción de los costos de la atención sanitaria.