Texas Slipped Up: Bid Data ‘Leak’ Triggered A Medicaid Contract Spat
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Texas Tribune reports on a contractual and legal muddle stirred up when the state Health and Human Services agency mistakenly sent rival health plans’ data to insurance giant Aetna — which was set to win the local Medicaid contract. Meanwhile, Kansas blocked Medicaid expansion.
Interstate Abortion Access Coming Down To One Thing: How You Vote
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Voters in nearly a dozen states will weigh in on whether abortion restrictions should be reversed. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell doesn’t think his colleagues would have enough votes to pass a national abortion ban.
30% Of Teens Who Denied Suicide Risk During Survey Later Killed Themselves
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
The study examined youths ages 13-17 who filled out the commonly used Personal Health Questionnaire (PHQ), which is used to screen for depression severity. In other news, Norway found that bullying decreased dramatically when schools banned smartphones.
Unusual, Severe Symptoms Reported By Doctors Treating Syphilis
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Vision issues, headaches, and hearing loss are among unusual symptoms being reported in the current syphilis surge. Separately, reports detail how St. Louis, facing the highest syphilis rates per capita in any Missouri county, will tackle the outbreak.
Police Sedation Practice Left Dozens Of Detainees Dead, Investigation Finds
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Injections intended to calm people who are being restrained and “reduce violence and save lives has resulted in some avoidable deaths,” according to a special report by the Associated Press, Frontline, and the Howard Centers for Investigative Journalism.
Morning Briefing for Monday, April 29, 2024
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bird flu, Medicaid, respiratory disease data, abortion bans, teen suicide, Agent Orange, unusual syphilis symptoms, and more are in the news.
FDA Testing So Far Finds Milk Pasteurization Kills Bird Flu
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Dairy cows in Colorado tested positive for bird flu, adding a ninth state to the list where it’s been detected. The FDA plans to continue to test milk samples, but so far has found that the pasteurization process makes it safe from the virus.
First Edition: April 29, 2024
April 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
What Florida’s New 6-Week Abortion Ban Means for the South, and Traveling Patients
By Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times
April 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Florida has served as a haven for Southern pregnant women with little or no access to abortions. But the Florida Supreme Court upheld a six-week abortion restriction that begins in May — so now women across much of the South seeking abortions will have to look farther afield.
Exposed to Agent Orange at US Bases, Veterans Face Cancer Without VA Compensation
By Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime
April 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The Department of Veterans Affairs has long given vets who served in Vietnam disability compensation for illness connected to Agent Orange harm. But those exposed at U.S. bases are still waiting for the same benefits.
En Colorado, reevalúan leyes formuladas para proteger a los menores
By Kristin Jones
April 27, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Hay esfuerzos en Colorado y otros estados para revertir las leyes que obligan a informar sobre sospechas de abuso o negligencia, argumentando que el resultado ha sido demasiados informes infundados, que perjudican desproporcionadamente a las familias que son pobres, negras, indígenas o tienen miembros con discapacidades.
Journalists Drill Down on Bird Flu Risks, Opioid Settlement Payouts, and Fluoride in Drinking Water
April 27, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media over the past two weeks to discuss recent stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Whatever Happened to Biden’s Public Option?
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
April 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In the 2020 elections, then-candidate Joe Biden and many of his congressional colleagues loudly advocated for a federal “public option” health insurance plan. It was framed, at the time, as part of his incoming administration’s response to the pandemic. “Low-income Americans will be automatically enrolled in the public option at zero cost to them, though […]
Millions Were Booted From Medicaid. The Insurers That Run It Gained Medicaid Revenue Anyway.
By Phil Galewitz
April 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Big health insurers that have contracts with state Medicaid programs find themselves making more money even as enrollment in Medicaid programs has dropped. Here’s why.
Una prueba genética podría salvar la vida de cientos de pacientes en quimioterapia
By Arthur Allen
April 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Estos tipos de quimioterapia comunes son difíciles de tolerar en general, pero para los pacientes que tienen deficiencia de una enzima que metaboliza la droga, puede ser una tortura o causar la muerte.
Viewpoints: Should Kidney Donors Be Paid?; New Weight-Loss Drugs Could Treat Many More Ailments
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine organ donation, weight-loss drugs, gender-affirming care, and more.
Covid Vaccines Violated Patent Rights, GlaxoSmithKline Contends In Lawsuit
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, Acuitas Therapeutics and CureVac reach an agreement in another patent lawsuit regarding technology used in mRNA-based Covid shots. Also, Maine’s high court lets stand a mandate that EMS workers must be vaccinated against Covid.
Study: Breast Cancer Diagnosis Linked To High Risk Of Second Cancers
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
People with breast cancer are also found to be at higher risk for developing cancer in unaffected breast tissue, plus ovarian cancer and a form of leukemia. Also in the news: high levels of food recalls, salmonella in some frozen chicken products, sugar in school meals, and more.
New York’s Ban On Selling Weight Loss Supplements To Minors Takes Effect
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Muscle-building supplements are also subject to the new legislation. Separately, Colorado lawmakers advanced efforts to require state-regulated insurers and Medicaid to cover weight loss drugs for some people. TikTok, facing a ban, is also cutting down on posts highlighting disordered eating.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on eyesight, postpartum care, nutrition labels, mosquito nets, and more.