Michigan Dairy Worker Is Second Human In US Infected With Bird Flu
May 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, wastewater surveillance monitoring will pick up nationally in the coming weeks. And clues from Texas identify the state as the likely ground zero for the H5N1 spread.
First Edition: May 23, 2024
May 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Los Angeles County Launches Ambitious Plan To Tackle Medical Debt. Hospitals Groan.
By Molly Castle Work
May 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Los Angeles County, the nation’s most populous county, is spearheading a comprehensive plan to tackle a $2.9 billion medical debt crisis. Hospitals are still getting on board with the project, which is helmed by the public health department.
Clues From Bird Flu’s Ground Zero on Dairy Farms in the Texas Panhandle
By Amy Maxmen
May 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Dairy farmers and veterinarians in northern Texas furiously investigated a mysterious illness among cattle before the government got involved. Their observations are telling.
California Pays People With Addiction To Stay Clean — With Feds’ Blessing
By Angela Hart
May 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Led by California, a few states are testing an experimental program that pays people to stop using hard drugs. The Golden State was the first to win approval from the Biden administration to cover the sobriety payments, with Medicaid wrapping it into an ambitious health-care initiative spearheaded by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to provide the […]
WHO Says The World Is Seeing Rising STI Infections
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
In particular chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis, all curable, are driving over a million daily infections, according to new WHO data. In other news, microplastics are found in human testicles, a study says teens are drinking too much caffeine, and more.
FDA Staff Voice Concern Over Eagerly Awaited Blood-Based Colon Cancer Test
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The remarks about the Shield test, made by Guardant Health, came ahead of Thursday’s meeting with outside advisers. Other pharmaceutical news is on alcohol-associated liver disease, weight loss drugs, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, and more.
‘A Major Step Forward’: HIV Vaccine Candidate Sparks Immune Response
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Why Hasn’t Polio Been Eradicated?; Here’s Why Americans Are Always Fatigued
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss polio, sleep deprivation, nuclear testing, and digital health.
White House Overhauls, Streamlines Patient Complaint Process
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The goal is to make it faster and easier for the federal government to investigate patient complaints, such as being denied emergency care or an abortion. Separately, the Biden administration is pressured to quash fraudulent ACA enrollments.
Senators Accuse Pharmaceutical Firms Of Abusing Patent System
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
But an official from PhRMA, the drug industry’s trade group, said the current patent system has proper “checks and balances.” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., shot back: “You think it’s working? Yeah, well, I don’t.” Other news from the Hill is on the farm bill and SNAP.
Four Years In, California Had Its First Day With Zero Covid Deaths
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other news, the CDC wants local and state authorities to continue monitoring flu activity at peak levels during the summer as concerns over the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus grow.
Spotlight On Opt-Out Fees As NewYork-Presbyterian Charges Union Fund $25M
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal writes about a $25 million fee charged by NewYork-Presbyterian hospital system to a major union benefits fund, which wanted to exclude the system from its plan over alleged high prices. The fee exists via Aetna’s contract with the hospital.
Minors’ Gender Care Banned In South Carolina As Governor Signs Bill
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Transition surgery, puberty-blocking drugs, and hormone treatments are now banned for all people under 18 in South Carolina, after Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, signed a bill that passed through the state legislature earlier this month.
In Just One Year, Over 1,000 People Called California’s Anti-Hate Hotline
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The California vs. Hate network was launched last May in response to rising hate-related issues. Meanwhile, the California Senate passed a bill that addresses social media addiction in kids and teens.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Patient complaints process, abortion law, vaccine skeptics, drug patents, covid, STI infections, medical bills, and more are in the news.
Possession Of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Closer To Being A Crime In Louisiana
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
If signed into law, people without valid prescriptions could face five years in prison. Pregnant women who acquire the medications for their own use, however, would be exempt. Meanwhile, presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump walks back his statement about banning birth control.
First Edition: May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
4 Ways Vaccine Skeptics Mislead You on Measles and More
By Amy Maxmen and Céline Gounder
May 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Vaccine scare tactics haven’t shifted, but more parents are falling for them. Here’s what the rhetoric gets wrong and how it endangers children.