First Edition: Feb. 20, 2024
February 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In California, Faceoff Between Major Insurer and Health System Shows Hazards of Consolidation
By Annie Sciacca
February 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Even as Anthem Blue Cross and University of California Health announced a contract agreement this month, analysts say patients are increasingly at risk of being affected by such disputes.
The Powerful Constraints on Medical Care in Catholic Hospitals Across America
By Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Recht
February 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The expansion of Catholic hospitals nationwide leaves patients at the mercy of the church’s religious directives, which are often at odds with accepted medical standards.
Number Of Young Americans Using Wegovy For Weight Loss Rises Rapidly
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other pharmaceutical news, a new study suggests a link between erectile dysfunction meds like Viagra and a reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease—though some doubt is expressed about the data. Also: a new synthetic molecule may beat drug-resistant bacteria.
Justice Department Reports 187 Federal Prisoners Died By Suicide Over 8 Years
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
NPR highlights words from the Justice Department’s inspector general who said the deaths were from “numerous operational and management deficiencies.” Separate research shows that doulas improve health outcomes for pregnant women with Medicaid.
Hearing Loss From Loud Noises Might Be Tied To Excess Zinc In The Inner Ear
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study may have revealed a biological cause for some adults’ hearing loss. Also in the news, smoking drugs is now linked to more overdose deaths than injected drugs; rising Lyme disease reports; and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on AI, space research, Puerto Rico, cannabis, and more.
Viewpoints: US Must Revamp How It Treats Substance Use Disorder; Why Are Medications Missing Allergy Info?
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle addiction treatment, allergy labels, age discrimination, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, February 16, 2024
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Drug prices, abortion pills, covid boosters, weight-loss medicines, hearing loss, and more are in the news. Plus, weekend reads.
Abortion Medications Prescribed By Telehealth Are Safe, Effective: Study
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers examined the records of 6,000 patients who were prescribed abortion pills via telehealth and received them from a mail-order pharmacy. Of the people who took the medication, 99.7% of the abortions were not followed by any serious adverse events.
CDC Considers Recommending A Spring Covid Booster For Some
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
People at risk of severe complications from a covid infection may be recommended to get yet another covid shot in the coming months. Meanwhile Americans’ falling confidence in vaccines was the subject of a House hearing, though some in the room even used the time to spread covid misinformation.
Public Health Crisis: Secret List Reveals The Top Sellers Of Guns Used In Crimes
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Stores connected to mass shootings appear on the list, including Bass Pro Shops in Denver, which sold a Glock handgun and a Remington shotgun involved in the mass shooting at an Aurora movie theater in 2012 that left 12 dead. As USA Today reported, the list is seen as a warning to the shops that criminals are targeting them for gun trafficking and straw purchasing.
Over Half Of Health Workers Say Racial Discrimination Against Patients Is A Major Problem
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a survey of U.S. health workers, 47% said they have personally witnessed racism or discrimination against patients. That number is higher among Black and Latino health care professionals.
First Edition: Feb. 16, 2024
February 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Monday, Feb. 19, in celebration of the Presidents Day holiday. See you Tuesday!
Southern Lawmakers Rethink Long-Standing Opposition to Medicaid Expansion
By Daniel Chang and Andy Miller
February 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
While many Republican state lawmakers remain firmly against Medicaid expansion, some key leaders in holdout states are showing a willingness to reconsider. Public opinion, financial incentives, and widening health care needs make resistance harder.
Patients See First Savings From Biden’s Drug Price Push, as Pharma Lines Up Its Lawyers
By Arthur Allen
February 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A restructuring of the Medicare drug benefit has wiped out big drug bills for people who need expensive medicines. But the legal battle over drug negotiations means uncertainty over long-term savings.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Biden Wins Early Court Test for Medicare Drug Negotiations
February 15, 2024
Podcast
A federal district court judge dismissed a lawsuit attempting to invalidate the Biden administration’s Medicare prescription-drug price negotiation program. But the suit turned on a technicality, and several more court challenges are in the pipeline. Meanwhile, health policy pops up in Super Bowl ads, as Congress approaches yet another funding deadline. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat 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 they think you should read, too.
States Get in on the Prior Authorization Crackdown
By Bram Sable-Smith
February 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Last month, my colleague Lauren Sausser told you about the Biden administration’s crackdown on insurance plans’ prior authorization policies, with new rules for certain health plans participating in federal programs such as Medicare Advantage or the Affordable Care Act marketplace. States are getting in on the action, too. Prior authorization, sometimes called pre-certification, requires patients […]
Research Roundup: Antibiotic Overuse; Heart Disease; Covid; Alzheimer’s
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Are Weight-Loss Drugs Effective Or Dangerous?; Independent Physicians Are Disappearing
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle weight-loss drugs, independent doctors, abortion bans, and more.