Georgia Begins Controversial Medicaid Expansion With Work Requirements
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports on the beginning of a new phase of Medicaid cover in Georgia, with coverage valid if you go to work or school. Critics say it’s expensive, and will include far fewer people than a full expansion. Meanwhile, the homelessness crisis in California shows signs of getting worse.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on abortion, cancer drugs, space travel, ultra-processed food, and more.
Walensky: Congress Must Help CDC Be ‘Nimble Agency Of The Future’
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Dr. Rochelle Walensky’s term at the helm of the CDC ends today, after what Stat calls a “bruising” 29 month tenure during covid. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a Q&A with Walensky, during which she sets out some of the goals and issues the CDC will face next.
7th Person Dies From Fungal Meningitis Linked To Mexican Clinics
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC is urging people who could have a potential fungal infection to undergo testing immediately, since the disease progresses quickly, The Washington Post said. Other news is on malaria, cryptosporidiosis, gun violence, and more.
Expect To Pay 7% More For Health Care Next Year
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
A projection from PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute says higher expenses are playing a part in the rise of health care costs. Among other health industry news: insurance claim denials, and hope that an AI system can detect early signs of dementia from someone’s speech.
FDA Approves Hemophilia Treatment, But It’s One Of The Priciest Drugs Ever
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The gene therapy, called Roctavian, is made by BioMarin Pharmaceutical. It costs $2.9 million and is infused just once. After the treatment, patients “should be free from having to really worry about this disease,” said Dr. Christopher Walsh, who directs Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s hemophilia program.
More People Are Being Diagnosed With Gender Dysphoria At A Younger Age
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Pink News reports a study showing the average age of gender dysphoria diagnoses has fallen from 31 in 2017 to 26 in 2021. Fox News says the study notes increased acceptance is playing a role. In Georgia, families have filed a lawsuit challenging a trans minor gender care ban due to come into effect.
After Texas Enacted Abortion Ban, 10,000 More Babies Were Born
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health evaluated births between April and December 200 and linked the passing of Texas’ restrictive anti-abortion law to 9,799 additional live births. Other reproductive health news is reported from North Carolina, Iowa and elsewhere.
Fatalities From Xylazine-Laced Fentanyl Are Soaring
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
CNN and Bloomberg report on the dangerous inclusion of the potent sedative in illegal fentanyl pills. The death rate from fentanyl found with xylazine present rose four-fold between January 2019 and June 2022. Also in the news, the complexities of anti-addiction medication and pregnancy.
CDC Approves Fall RSV Shots For Americans 60 And Over
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
CNN and AP cover a decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that gives the green light to two RSV shots for older adults, with expectations of fall availability. Meanwhile, new covid variant XBB.1.16 is overtaking XBB.1.15 worldwide, ahead of the arrival of refreshed vaccines.
CDC To Start Tracking Cronobacter In Wake Of Contaminated Baby Formula
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC has added the pathogen to the list of infections for which it routinely gathers state and local data. Cronobacter sakazakii was the cause of illness in several babies as well as 2 deaths, and led to massive formula shortages after products were recalled.
Morning Briefing for Friday, June 30, 2023
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medical schools, RSV shots, privacy, maternal health, pathogen tracking, heat and smoke dangers, fentanyl, and more are in the news.
Millions In US Suffering Through Wildfire Smoke, Heat Wave, Or Both
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Forecasters say neither problem is expected to significantly improve anytime soon. Health experts warn that heat is a “silent killer” and causes more deaths than any other weather event, including tornadoes and flooding.
Medical Schools Brace For Fallout From Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action is forecasted to make it more difficult to foster diversity at medical and nursing schools that could help increase representation of all races among doctors in the U.S.
Need to Get Plan B or an HIV Test Online? Facebook May Know About It
By Darius Tahir and Simon Fondrie-Teitler, The Markup
Illustration by Oona Zenda
June 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Twelve of the largest drugstores in the U.S. sent shoppers’ sensitive health information to Facebook or other platforms, according to an investigation by The Markup and KFF Health News.
First Edition: June 30, 2023
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A New Law Is Supposed to Protect Pregnant Workers — But What If We Don’t Know How?
By Gina Jiménez
June 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
During pregnancy, workers often face hazardous circumstances, including breathing toxic chemicals. On June 27, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act began requiring employers to provide “reasonable accommodations.” But the new law has a big hole: Not nearly enough is known about which chemical exposures are dangerous for pregnant workers.
As Low-Nicotine Cigarettes Hit the Market, Anti-Smoking Groups Press for Wider Standard
By Don Thompson
June 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The first FDA-authorized cigarettes with 95% less nicotine than traditional smokes will go on sale in California, Florida, and Texas starting in early July. Anti-smoking groups oppose greenlighting just one plant biotech’s products and instead urge federal regulators to set a low-nicotine standard for the entire industry.
Dental Device Investigation
June 29, 2023
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Featured Articles CBS Video Gallery Diagram of the AGGA Device Impact of the Investigation Credits Reporters Brett KelmanAnna Werner, CBS News Digital Producers David HicksLydia ZurawEric HarkleroadOona Tempest Editors John HillkirkKelly JohnsonTerry ByrneGabe Brison-Trezise