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.
Epidemic: Zero Pox!
August 15, 2023
Podcast
In the early 1970s, public health workers buoyed by the motto “zero pox!” worked across India to achieve 100% vaccination against smallpox. This episode is about what happened when these zealous young people encountered hesitation.
Viewpoints: Climate Change Is Making People Sick; What Went Wrong With The Covid Vaccine?
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine climate change and our health, covid vaccine distribution, organ transplants, and more.
Health Dangers May Lurk For Months After Deadly Fire In Maui
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP says officials are warning residents that toxic chemicals and particulate matter in the air, sea, and on land have made it too dangerous to return right now. Health experts also warn that the amount of devastation could take a toll on residents’ and tourists’ mental health.
Weight-Loss Drugs May Complicate Surgery Under Anesthesia
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Recent guidance suggested halting weight-loss drugs like Wegovy a week before surgery under anesthetic, but AP reports that doctors are worried this isn’t enough. Some doctors report rising numbers of risky complications from patients who still had food in their stomachs.
Researchers Find No Heart Attack Risk For Athletes After Covid Shots
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
CIDRAP reports on a study that found no evidence that athletes engaged in intensive activities are at an increased heart complication risk after a covid vaccination — contrasting social media claims of the opposite. Meanwhile, covid markers in the U.S. are rising gently, yet again.
Head Impacts From Football May Be Linked To Parkinson’s Risk: Study
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study shows possible links between repetitive head impacts from playing football with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, USA Today and other news outlets have reported. Also: Researchers have found that starting treatment for multiple sclerosis sooner may lead to less disability later.
As Baby Boomers Reach Old Age, Cost Of Elder Care Is Skyrocketing
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The cost of nursing home care has risen by an average of 2.4% per year between 2012 and 2019, The Hill reported. Also in the news: Tufts Medicine cuts hundreds of jobs; hospitals dial back on venture capital investing; and more.
HHS Investigating Tennessee Hospital That Gave Trans Health Records To AG
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports Vanderbilt University Medical Center is under a federal civil rights investigation mere weeks after two patients sued the hospital for the same matter: turning over medical records of trans people to the state attorney general. Also in the news: cancer death rates in rural Oklahoma, eating disorders in California, and more.
Nebraska Court Upholds Limits On Abortion, Gender-Affirming Surgery
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Republican Gov. Jim Pillen said he was “pleased” by the ruling, which leaves in place a ban on abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The ruling also allows a law to go into effect Oct. 1 that will prevent people under 19 from receiving gender-affirming surgery.
First Edition: Aug. 14, 2023
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Parents See Own Health Spiral as Their Kids’ Mental Illnesses Worsen
By Renuka Rayasam
August 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The day-to-day struggles that parents of kids with mental health conditions must navigate have led to their own crisis: The stress can take a physical toll that disrupts parents’ ability to provide care, say psychologists, researchers, and advocates for families.
