Amazon Pharmacy Automates Discount Insulin Pricing For Eligible Patients
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Rather than making people manually enter a coupon code to access $35-a-month insulin, Amazon is choosing to apply some discounts automatically. Also in the news: a lawsuit against Walgreens concerning expensive hepatitis C drugs; cancer drug shortages; research monkeys; and more.
Same Judge From Abortion Pill Case Is Hearing Planned Parenthood Lawsuit
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who in April blocked the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, heard arguments in a Texas case against Planned Parenthood yesterday. Separately, the appointment of the Navy’s first female leader is being held up by a senator’s protest against abortion.
First Edition: Aug. 16, 2023
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Feds Say Hospitals That Redistribute Medicaid Money Violate Law
By Samantha Young
August 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials are trying to clamp down on private arrangements among some hospitals to pay themselves back for the Medicaid taxes they’ve paid. State health officials and the influential hospital industry argue that regulators have no jurisdiction over the agreements.
An Arm and a Leg: How a Surprise Bill Can Hitch a Ride to the Hospital
By Dan Weissmann
August 16, 2023
Podcast
The No Surprises Act has helped rein in out-of-network medical bills, but ground ambulances are a costly exception. Hear why this service can still hit patients with big bills and what to do if you get one.
North Carolina Hospitals Have Sued Thousands of Their Patients, a New Report Finds
By Noam N. Levey
August 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
An analysis of court records by the state treasurer and Duke researchers finds Atrium Health, originally a public hospital system, accounted for almost a third of the legal actions against North Carolina patients over roughly five years.
Funyuns and Flu Shots? Gas Station Company Ventures Into Urgent Care
By Bram Sable-Smith
August 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A Tulsa-based gas station chain is using its knowledge of how to serve customers and locate shops in easy-to-find spots to enter the urgent care industry, which has doubled in size over the past decade. Experts question how the explosion of convenient clinics will affect care costs and wait times.
Viewpoints: At-Home BP Readers Can Be Wildly Inaccurate; Shifting Covid Rules Highlighted Role Of Alternative Treatments
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss home blood pressure machines, alternative covid treatments, RFK Jr.’s covid claims, and more.
Controversy As Opioid Settlement Cash Goes To Fund Police
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times notes that although billions in opioid settlement payouts come with “stacks of guidance” about how they could help drug addiction treatment and more, some money is controversially being spent on law enforcement. Other news includes trans health care, Indiana among the fattest states, and more.
Warnings For Those With Kidney Disease After FDA Aims At Less Salt
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
In April, the FDA proposed new salt intake recommendations aimed at lowering consumers’ salt intake, but patient advocates for those with kidney disease are alarmed because a key salt substitute could be harmful to some. Also in the news, the country’s first robot-assisted whole-liver transplant.
Texas Lawsuit Seeks Punitive $1.8 Billion From Planned Parenthood
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Texas Tribune reports on a lawsuit it says seeks to “bankrupt Planned Parenthood” over alleged improper Medicaid billing. Meanwhile, though Texas has a strict anti-abortion law, the Dallas Morning News reports Texans are finding ways to get abortion pills by mail with out-of-state help.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, August 15, 2023
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers the health issues facing people who live in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Sign up here!
Electronic Payment Fees Divert Money To Middlemen, Not Care: ProPublica
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
An investigation by ProPublica alleges fees charged for processing digital payments to medical systems are likely diverting what could “add up to billions” toward insurers and middlemen rather than being spent on care. Also in the news: messaging Mayo doctors online could soon be billable.
DOJ Lambasts Chamber Of Commerce For Blocking Drug Price Negotiation
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Chamber of Commerce’s request for an injunction to block the Medicare drug price negotiation program has angered the DOJ, The Hill reports, arguing the organization has no standing to file the suit and pausing negotiation would harm the public. Also: a focus on how PBMs keep drug prices up.
Youths Have Constitutional Right To A ‘Healthful’ Earth, Montana Judge Rules
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The prosecution called the ruling “a huge win … for youth, for democracy, and for our climate.” Meanwhile, GOP Attorney General Austin Knudsen’s office called it “absurd” and said it will appeal to the state Supreme Court. In other climate news: Dementia and air pollution appear to be linked.
‘Blue Legs’ May Be Yet Another Long Covid Symptom
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
CIDRAP details a case report published in The Lancet about a new potential long covid symptom: acrocyanosis, or venous pooling of blood in the legs causing them to turn blue. Other covid news is on the newest variant, wastewater monitoring, and more.
As Other Cancer Treatments Improve, Radiation Use Fades: Report
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
A report in Stat explains that as physicians get new and better ways to fight cancer, oncologists are trying to use less radiation, including avoiding use at all for some low-risk tumors. Separately, Reuters says the FDA has approved Pfizer’s blood cancer therapy Elrexfio.
First Edition: Aug. 15, 2023
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Promising Better, Cheaper Care, Kaiser Permanente’s National Expansion Faces Wide Skepticism
By Harris Meyer
August 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Kaiser Permanente, the California-based health care giant, is looking to dramatically expand its national presence. It’s committed $5 billion to a new unit called Risant Health and has agreed to acquire Pennsylvania-based Geisinger, but skeptics wonder how it will export its unique model to other states.
