First Edition: Feb. 26, 2024
February 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Gov. Newsom Wants Voters to Approve Billions More to Help the Homeless. Will It Help?
By Angela Hart
February 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A March 5 ballot initiative seeks $6.4 billion to build thousands of new housing units and provide mental health treatment for homeless people — on top of the billions already being spent to address the public health crisis. Despite significant support from health and law enforcement officials, many front-line workers are skeptical that more money is the answer.
If You’re Poor, Fertility Treatment Can Be Out of Reach
By Michelle Andrews
February 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For low-income people who are on Medicaid or whose employer health plan is skimpy, help for infertility seems unattainable.
Horse Sedative Use Among Humans Spreads in Deadly Mixture of ‘Tranq’ and Fentanyl
By Sam Ogozalek, Tampa Bay Times
February 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Illegal supplies of fentanyl are being cut with xylazine, a powerful horse tranquilizer. Overdoses involving this veterinary sedative are growing nationally and now Florida officials are tracking the deaths.
Brote de sarampión: Florida dice que niños no vacunados pueden ir a la escuela, desafiando a los CDC
By Amy Maxmen
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
La mayoría de las personas que no están protegidas por una vacuna contraerán sarampión si se exponen al virus. Existe riesgo de muerte.
Opposition to Medicaid Expansion Thaws in an Unexpected Place: The Deep South
By Daniel Chang and Andy Miller
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For more than a decade, some Southern states have resisted Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, even though data suggest it could help their residents. Today, the large majority of uninsured Americans who would gain coverage under Medicaid expansion — and who would benefit from affordable access to care — live in non-expansion states […]
Americans See Mental Health Issues As A Top Public Health Threat
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The latest Axios-Ipsos American Health Index survey found poor mental health ranks behind obesity and the opioid crisis as the biggest worries Americans have over public health of the nation. Also in the news: scientists dig into long covid’s “brain fog,” viagra and Alzheimer’s, and more.
A Hack At UnitedHealth Hits Pharmacy Services Across Country
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The hack hit UnitedHealth’s Change Healthcare unit, and affected several pharmacy chains. Meanwhile, Modern Healthcare reports that so far in 2024 health care cyberattacks have exposed 11.6 million people’s data. Also in the news, health care employment, female doctors, more.
Viewpoints: The Grim Health Effects Of Climate Change; Fallout From Alabama IVF Ruling Has Begun
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle climate change, Alabama’s recent ruling, tampon tax, and more.
New York AG Pushes FDA To Warn Of Mental Health Risks From Asthma Drug
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
New York Attorney General Letitia James asked the FDA to take immediate action to boost warnings of the mental health side effects of Singulair for children. Also in the news: Texas drops out of federal summer meals program for kids; Florida moves forward on a social media age bill; and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, February 23, 2024
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Fallout from the Alabama IVF ruling, high prescription prices, mental health, measles, abortion law, drug safety, and more are in the news.
Democrats Blast Alabama IVF Ruling; Republicans Aim To Minimize Election Impact
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden called the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision “outrageous and unacceptable,” as Democrats link it to a expanding threat to reproductive health rights. Meanwhile, many Republicans defend the importance of IVF. In Alabama, 2 more IVF facilities paused operations while state Republicans eye new legislation.
In Wake Of Trump’s 16-Week Abortion Ban Hint, 48% Say They’d Support It
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The latest Economist/YouGov poll finds that nearly half of Americans would support a national 16-week abortion ban. The news comes after former President Donald Trump privately expressed that he’d back the idea in a potential second term. Also in the news: the “war” over states’ abortion shield bans; abortion rights on ballots; more.
Congress Lobbied To Pass PBM Reforms By State Attorneys General
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The National Association of Attorneys General wrote House and Senate leaders this week, asking lawmakers to pass legislation that would require pharmacy benefit managers to disclose more about their prescription drug price negotiations. Other news from the capital reports on biotech, clinical trials, child welfare, and more.
Norovirus Is Surging Hardest In The Northeast
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Cases of the stomach virus are blossoming across the country, with the hardest-hit region being the Northeast in recent weeks. Meanwhile, as measles outbreaks continue, Florida’s surgeon general defies scientific advice over unvaccinated kids attending school.
Study Finds That Trans People Taking Testosterone Can Still Get Pregnant
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
A small study published Thursday found that 33% of the participants — transgender men and gender-diverse people who take testosterone — still ovulate and could therefore potentially become pregnant. In other news, Oklahoma’s gender policies are in the spotlight after the death of a nonbinary high schooler.
First Edition: Feb. 23, 2024
February 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Pregnancy Care Was Always Lacking in Jails. It Could Get Worse.
By Renuka Rayasam
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A lack of oversight and standards for pregnancy care in jails is becoming more problematic as the number of incarcerated women rises and abortion restrictions put medical care further out of reach.
Florida Defies CDC in Measles Outbreak, Telling Parents It’s Fine to Send Unvaccinated Kids to School
By Amy Maxmen
February 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The state’s surgeon general grants parents permission to send unvaccinated children to school during a measles outbreak, risking their health and that of others.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Alabama Court Rules Embryos Are Children. What Now?
February 22, 2024
Podcast
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court has determined that embryos created for in vitro fertilization procedures are legally people. The decision has touched off massive confusion about potential ramifications, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham has paused its IVF program. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to endorse a national 16-week abortion ban, while his former administration officials are planning further reproductive health restrictions for a possible second term. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too.