Supreme Court May Lean Toward Laws That Ban Public Sleeping
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
A Supreme Court majority may support an Oregon city that banned sleeping or camping in public spaces in an effort to target homeless people. Protesters who are against moves to penalize homelessness gathered outside the court, concerned about the case’s implications.
Indiana Eclipse-Watching Party Might Have Been A Measles Exposure Event
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The gathering at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on April 8 might have resulted in multiple people being exposed to measles, since an infected individual was in attendance. Meanwhile, a measles case in West Virginia is the first confirmed one in 15 years.
Louisiana Schools Told To Disregard Title IX Rules For Trans Students
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration’s new Title IX rules include more protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s superintendent of education, contends those rules conflict with state laws.
Viewpoints: The US Is Ready To Tackle A Bird Flu Pandemic; Black Maternal Health Care Sorely Lacking
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine H5N1, disparities in maternal health care, gene therapy, and psychiatry.
HHS Props Up Privacy Protections For Abortion Patients And Providers
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new rule, in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, lets providers rebuff efforts from those who seek to use health care info in criminal cases. Meanwhile, doctors are keeping a close eye on a case before the Supreme Court that looks at EMTALA.
CMS Enacts New Rules Meant To Boost Medicaid Payment Transparency
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
States and Medicaid insurers will be required to annually report how payments are spent, and at least 80% of Medicaid payments must go toward wages for home care services. CMS also ordered states to create “one-stop-shop” websites so people can compare quality ratings.
It’s Likely Your Medical Data Was Stolen In UnitedHealth Hack
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
UnitedHealth Group said in a news release that stolen files obtained by hackers “could cover a substantial proportion of people in America.” It has paid a ransom to try to prevent the data from being released. Also in the news: Cardinal Health; AI and patient safety; and more.
Hospitals Push For Medicare Advantage Boost To Cover 340B Drugs
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Hospitals are arguing that since a Supreme Court ruling has reversed cuts made to 340B rates in 2018, Medicare Advantage reimbursement must be adjusted accordingly. Separately, a study shows drug representatives who meet with doctors have no effect on cancer patients’ survival rates.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 23, 2024
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Nursing home staffing, Medicaid “unwinding,” medical record privacy, Medicare Advantage, homelessness, measles, and more are in the news.
Nursing Homes Slam Staffing Rule: ‘How Can [We] Hire More RNs When They Do Not Exist?’
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration on Monday finalized a mandate for nursing homes to hire more nurses and aides, KFF Health News and others reported. Providers balked at the rule, saying it will siphon workers from other long-term care settings and only adds to the worker shortage from the pandemic.
First Edition: April 23, 2024
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Legislators Debate Froot Loops and Free Condoms
By Don Thompson
April 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California state lawmakers this year are continuing their progressive tilt on health policy, debating bills banning an ingredient in Froot Loops and offering free condoms for high schoolers.
Para frenar las muertes por fentanilo, reparten kits para revertir las sobredosis puerta por puerta
By Nicole Leonard, WHYY
April 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
En Philadelphia, funcionarios esperan que este enfoque proactivo transforme a la naloxona en un artículo que esté en los botiquines, para evitar que las personas mueran por sobredosis, especialmente los residentes negros.
Unsheltered People Are Losing Medicaid in Redetermination Mix-Ups
By Aaron Bolton, MTPR
April 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Some of the nearly 130,000 Montanans who have lost Medicaid coverage as the state reevaluates eligibility are homeless. That’s in part because Montana kicked more than 80,000 people off the program for technical reasons rather than income ineligibility. For unhoused people who were disenrolled, getting back on Medicaid can be extraordinarily difficult.
Biden Administration Sets Higher Staffing Mandates. Most Nursing Homes Don’t Meet Them.
By Jordan Rau
Updated April 24, 2024
Originally Published April 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The staffing regulation was disparaged by the industry as unattainable. Patient advocates say it doesn’t go far enough. Labor unions welcomed the requirement.
Nursing Home Residents Lagging In Covid Vaccines, CDC Study Finds
April 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reports that fewer Americans are now sick with covid, the flu, and RSV. In other news, a global effort to create a plan to combat future pandemics appears to have stalled.
Massachusetts Making Huge Effort To Overhaul Nursing Care For The Elderly
April 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
As part of a lawsuit settlement, Massachusetts has committed $1 billion in spending for new housing and community support services so that nursing home residents can return to their communities. Separately, reports explore alternative options to nursing home care for older people who need support.
Scientists Mount Study To Test Diabetes Drug’s Anti-Aging Powers
April 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Metformin is a widely popular diabetes drug with anti-inflammatory effects that might help protect against some age-related ailments, including cognitive decline. Separately, the DEA is warning that Adderall abuse could become another opioid crisis-like event.
Viewpoints: Abortion Exceptions Aren’t Worth The Paper They’re Printed On; We Need Better Ways To Regulate PFAS
April 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle consequences of overturning Roe, the plague of “forever chemicals,” and more.
Supreme Court To Hear Momentous Case On Abortion Care In Emergencies
April 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Justices will hear arguments Wednesday centering on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, which requires hospitals to provide stabilizing care. The Biden administration has told states that the federal law applies to abortion services, even in ones that have banned the procedure.