Morning Briefing for Friday, April 26, 2024
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Youth mental health, bird flu, HIV, a data breach, drug prices and shortages, cancer, covid vaccines, and more are in the news. Plus, weekend reads.
Inactive Bird Flu Virus Pieces Detected In 1 in 5 Pasteurized Milk Samples
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The findings suggest the spread of the disease is greater than what it being reported. Meanwhile, the USDA, FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintain the nation’s “commercial milk supply is safe.” Also, a bird flu explainer.
CDC: ‘Vampire Facials’ Are Likely Source Of 3 Cases Of HIV Transmission
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC says the first known cases of HIV transmission likely due to cosmetic injections happened at a New Mexico spa during a procedure known as a “vampire facial.” Alert for graphic photos.
Kaiser Permanente Entity Reports Breach Of Data For 13 Million
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, a nonprofit company that is part of insurance giant Kaiser Permanente, told HHS that data on over 13 million individuals could have been exposed by a technical vulnerability.
Cigna Will Sell Humira Biosimilar Via Its Specialty Pharmacy For $0 Copay
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also in pharmaceutical news: ongoing effects from the bankruptcy of drug maker Mallinckrodt; J&J spinoff Kenvue plans global headquarters in New Jersey; the study of millions of small drug candidates in a University of Washington lab; and more.
17 States File Suit Against Rules Protecting Abortion-Seeking Workers
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The suit against new federal abortion rights protections was filed by 17 Republican state attorneys general. Meanwhile, Texas doctors worry over plans for more oversight of treatment before medically-necessary abortions, including whether patients were transferred to other facilities.
First Edition: April 26, 2024
April 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Is Investing $500M in Therapy Apps for Youth. Advocates Fear It Won’t Pay Off.
By Molly Castle Work
Updated April 26, 2024
Originally Published April 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California launched two teletherapy apps as part of the governor’s $500 million foray into health technology with private companies. But the rollout has been so slow that one company has yet to make its app available on Android, and social workers worry youths who need clinical care won’t get referrals.
Biden’s Election-Year Play to Further Expand Obamacare
By Julie Rovner
April 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The Biden administration wants to make it easier for Americans to get dental care. But don’t try booking an appointment just yet. A new regulation out this month allows states to include adult dental care as a benefit that health insurers must cover under the Affordable Care Act. Following record ACA enrollment this year, the proposal represents an […]
Dairy Cows Must Be Tested For Bird Flu Before Moving States: USDA
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Transporting dairy cattle across state lines now requires the animals be tested for bird flu, under new Department of Agriculture rules. Meanwhile, the FDA stressed that pasteurization is “very likely” to inactivate any H5N1 in milk because, like other viruses, it’s heat-sensitive.
Research Roundup: Salmonella; Immunotherapy; CRISPR; And More
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: We’re Running Out Of Time To Contain H5N1; Supreme Court Ignoring Reality In Idaho EMTALA Case
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle bird flu, emergency abortion care, “Havana Syndrome,” and weight-loss drugs.
Repeal Of Controversial 1864 Abortion Ban Approved By Arizona House
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
On a third attempt, Arizona House lawmakers voted 32-38 to repeal the Civil War-era law that the Arizona Supreme Court previously upheld. The bill next goes to the state Senate for consideration. Separately, California is considering a bill that would make it easier for Arizona abortion providers to practice in the state.
McKinsey’s Advisory Role To Opioid Makers Under Criminal Investigation
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Feds also are looking into whether the consulting firm obstructed justice. In other news, it appears patients are shunning a crucial medicine prescribed to treat opioid addition.
Starting Next Year, California Will Cap Annual Health Care Cost Increases
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new rule, approved Wednesday, will limit increases to 3% each year and will be phased in over five years, beginning in 2025 with a 3.5% limit. In other news, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has launched an investigation into the price of weight loss drugs.
FTC’s New Noncompete Ban Quickly Challenged By Lawsuit
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is among the groups that have already mounted a legal challenge to the Federal Trade Commission’s rule banning noncompete agreements. Separately, Republican lawmakers are targeting the health sector’s vertical integration habits.
Illinois Bill Aims To Prohibit Insurers’ Use Of ‘Step Therapy’ Treatments
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Chicago Tribune reports on a bill that would limit insurers’ ability to insist on patients trying alternate, often cheaper treatments before approving a physician-prescribed one. Separately, in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed a major investment in mental health services.
Doctors Get New Weapon To Battle UTIs
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
It’s the first time in two decades a new antibiotic — Pivya, as it will be marketed in the U.S. — has been approved to treat urinary tract infections. Also in the news: risks of antipsychotics for people with dementia, how “dallying” delayed the menthol tobacco ban, and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 25, 2024
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Abortion and EMTALA, Arizona’s ban, genetic studies, the opioid crisis, health care cost increases, bird flu, covid, and more are in the news.
Divided Supreme Court Justices Spar With Both Sides Over Emergency Abortion
April 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Arguments were heard on conflicts between the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, and Idaho’s near-total abortion ban. The female Supreme Court justices strongly questioned the Idaho law, while the more conservative members of the bench floated three ways they could justify siding with Idaho over the Biden administration.