Biden’s Decision To Step Out Of The Race Hits Home For Older Americans
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Older citizens and aging experts bring a well of empathy toward President Joe Biden for his decision, The Wall Street Journal reports, with many voicing support and others raising concerns of ageism. In related aging news: Retirement may get trickier the longer a person waits, and more.
Lawmakers, PBMs Play Blame Game During Tense Hearing On Capitol Hill
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Members of the House oversight panel blamed the PBM industry for high prescription prices, but executives from three major pharmacy benefit managers—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx—pointed the finger at manufacturers.
Senators Press To Update Disabilities Law To Include All Tech Accessibility
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Proposed bill aims to shore up Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to include websites, software, and other infrastructure that was left out when the law was amended in 1998.
Steward Health Care Has Secured Bids For All Its For-Sale Mass. Hospitals
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, told reporters she’d received qualified bids for all the hospitals in Massachusetts that the beleaguered for-profit chain was trying to sell during its bankruptcy proceedings. Plus: reports of staffing challenges and broken equipment at Steward.
As Bird Flu Spreads, Colorado Orders Weekly Testing Of Milk Supply
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, health officials are advising Americans to be aware of the seasonal spreads of hantavirus, West Nile virus, and dengue fever. Elsewhere, walnuts sent to food bank warehouses in Texas and Arizona have been recalled over listeria concerns.
Health Officials Confirm Wind-Down Of Federal HIV Meds Program
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Ready, Set, PrEP program will cease new enrollments at the end of July — its mission has been to distribute free HIV medication to the uninsured. Also in the news, FEMA is set to expand call center staff so it can cut down call waiting times.
To Mobilize Voters, Harris Turns The Conversation Back To Abortion Rights
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The issue, a cornerstone of the 2024 Democratic campaign, has been on the back burner while the party debated whether President Joe Biden should stay in the race. Other abortion news is from Iowa, Louisiana, and Florida.
First Edition: July 24, 2024
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Louisiana Reclassifies Drugs Used in Abortions as Controlled Dangerous Substances
By Rosemary Westwood, WWNO
July 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Louisiana lawmakers have added two drugs commonly used in pregnancy and reproductive health care to the state’s list of controlled dangerous substances, a move that has alarmed doctors in the state.
World-Famous Wall Drug Isn’t Immune From Challenges Facing Rural Pharmacies
By Arielle Zionts
July 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Even as part of a popular South Dakota tourist attraction, an independent pharmacy serving locals, remote ranchers, and sightseers struggles with staffing and insurer payments.
Golden Gate Bridge Nets Already Deterring Suicide Attempts
July 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Though very delayed, the $200 million-plus suicide nets installed along the Golden Gate Bridge appear to be acting as intended, with data showing around half the number of attempted suicide jumps typical for this point of the year. Also in the news: brain care scores, the endless news cycle, dementia and napping, and more.
Report: US Flexed Diplomatic Muscle To Weaken Baby Formula Safety Regs
July 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
A ProPublica investigation finds that officials in the Biden administration have challenged baby formula regulations in more than half a dozen countries, advocating for the interests of manufacturers like Abbott and Mead Johnson. Critics say those efforts are undermining public health.
Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against UnitedHealth Over Change Hack
July 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The National Community Pharmacists Association and 39 medical providers are suing UnitedHealth, alleging that they are still waiting for payments as a result of the ransomware attack that shut down its affiliate company Change Healthcare for months.
Abortion Ban Stands After Iowa Supreme Court Swats Away Appeal
July 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Enforcement of the law could start this week when a lower court judge lifts the injunction blocking it. In other news, the U.S. House has delayed action on a pair of funding bills that contained abortion riders. Also, anti-abortion researchers float riskier procedures to end a pregnancy in an emergency.
For First Time, Most New HIV Cases Happened Outside Sub-Saharan Africa
July 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
A United Nations report looks at progress and pitfalls of the effort to end the global AIDS health threat. Although infections are trending down, it says, efforts to prevent AIDS by 2030 won’t happen without urgent action now.
Robitussin Maker Will Stop Saying Medicine Is ‘Non-Drowsy’
July 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
A consumer lawsuit had alleged the cough and flu medicines did actually cause drowsiness despite the claim on the bottle. Meanwhile, J&J is nearing a deal on an $8 billion talc settlement.
Pfizer-Backed Lyme Disease Vaccine Passes Important Milestone
July 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The effort, from Pfizer and its French partner Valneva SE, may result in a vaccine that could hit the market in 2026, pending trial results. Also in the news: H5N1 avian influenza infects two more, a sewage leak closes two L.A. County beaches, and more.