Why Many Nonprofit (Wink, Wink) Hospitals Are Rolling in Money
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
July 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Legal maneuvering, industry lobbying, and lax IRS oversight leave lots of room for “operating surpluses.”
Maternity Care in Rural Areas Is in Crisis. Can More Doulas Help?
By Jess Mador, WABE
July 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Rural communities are losing access to maternity care, raising the risk of pregnancy complications, especially for Black women, who face higher rates of maternal mortality. Now, a Georgia medical school is trying to help by training doulas, practitioners who offer patients extra support before, during, and after childbirth.
Journalists Drill Down on Ongoing Covid Risks, Escalating Health Care Costs
July 27, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media in the last two weeks to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
After Trump Election, A Rise In Poor Birth Outcomes For Women Of Color
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The findings are “likely explained by a combination of stress and policy impacts,” the study’s lead author says. Meanwhile, Nature Medicine examines how politics affects a person’s physical and mental well-being. Also, a look at what a Kamala Harris administration might do for science.
California Governor Kicks Off Homeless Encampment Cleanups
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order follows the Supreme Court ruling allowing cities to ban sleeping outside in public spaces. Meanwhile, West Virginia asks the Supreme Court to consider its case against Medicaid coverage for trans surgeries.
Three More Poultry Farm Workers In Colorado Have Bird Flu
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The total number of human cases of bird flu in the U.S. this year has now hit 13. Meanwhile, the CDC has said that a problem with its bird flu test system hasn’t hampered its response to the outbreak. Measles, long covid, and whooping cough are also in the news.
With Novel Artificial Heart Implant, Texas Institute Eyes Long-Term Use
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Surgeons hope the rotary-powered, hand-sized device, being tested in patients who are in end-stage heart failure, will negate the need for a transplant at all.
Huge Mental Health Care Effort For Olympic Athletes Begins
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Vast mental health resources are available to help 2024’s elite athletes, sparked by the issues that beset star U.S. gymnast Simone Biles. Plus: other health coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on babies, alcohol, disabilities, cancer, and more.
US Nabs Drug Kingpin ‘El Mayo,’ Whose Cartel Is No. 1 Trafficker Of Fentanyl
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to news reports, U.S. authorities fooled Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada into boarding a Texas-bound private plane. There he was taken into custody, alongside Joaquin Guzmán, who is the son of famed drug lord “El Chapo.” Zambada’s Sinaloa cartel is believed to the biggest supplier of fentanyl to the U.S., and the two men were among the top-wanted drug dealers in the world.
Senate Panel Subpoenas Steward Health CEO Over Bankruptcy Filing
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
After refusing to testify voluntarily, Dr. Ralph de la Torre now will appear Sept. 12 in an investigation related to the company’s practices. Also in the news: Optum layoffs, Brigham and Women’s nurses strike, hospital sales, and more.
$10 Million Reward Offered For Info On North Korean Ransomware Hackers
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The State Department wants details on the location of members of a ransomware gang that targeted health care systems. Also in the news: HHS renames its office of health information technology.
Texas Is Fighting Title X Decree That Allows Kids Confidential Contraception
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The rule stipulates providers “may not require consent of parents or guardians for the provision of services to minors.” A lawsuit argues that violates parental rights. Separately, a melt-in-your-mouth birth control pill wins FDA approval. Also, Michigan Advance breaks down abortion misconceptions.
First Edition: July 26, 2024
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The CDC’s Test for Bird Flu Works, but It Has Issues
By Arthur Allen and Amy Maxmen
July 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promises better tests are being developed, but the episode points to vulnerabilities in the country’s defense against emerging outbreaks.
Union With Labor Dispute of Its Own Threatened To Cut Off Workers’ Health Benefits
By Phil Galewitz
Updated July 26, 2024
Originally Published July 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The National Education Association, the nation’s largest union, told striking workers that their health coverage would be cut off Aug. 1 absent a deal on a new contract. Tensions have mounted after staff disrupted the union’s convention, at which President Joe Biden had been scheduled to speak.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Harris in the Spotlight
July 25, 2024
Podcast
For the 2024 campaign, Joe Biden is out, and Kamala Harris is in. As the vice president makes moves toward the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, health policy is resurging as a campaign issue. Meanwhile, Congress tries — and again fails — to make timely progress on the annual government spending bills as abortion issues cause delays. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Stephanie Armour of KFF Health News, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Anthony Wright, the new executive director of Families USA, about his plans for the organization and his history working with Harris on health topics.
Care Gaps Grow as OB/GYNs Flee Idaho
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
July 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Not so long ago, Bonner General Health, the hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho, had four OB/GYNs on staff, who treated patients from multiple rural counties. That was before Idaho’s near-total abortion ban went into effect almost two years ago, criminalizing most abortions. All four of Bonner’s OB/GYNs left by last summer, some citing fears that the state’s ban […]