NIH Boosts Long Covid Study Funding By $515 Million
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
This is a nearly 50% increase on the project’s budget, Stat reports. Separately, research found that the risk of suffering chronic fatigue is much higher among covid patients than for people who haven’t had covid. Scientists also concluded that covid home test accuracy matches clinician-given tests.
1,000 People A Day Signed Up In North Carolina’s Medicaid Expansion
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
When North Carolina launched its Medicaid expansion on Dec. 1, it was estimated some 600,000 people would get coverage over two years. In the first two months, 58% of that goal has been reached. Also in the news: nearly all states have extended postpartum coverage; and California’s new Medi-Cal eligibility rules.
Joyous Super Bowl Celebration Turns To Horror After Gunfire Erupts In KC
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Tens of thousands of people fled the scene in chaos after shots were fired into the crowd, killing one woman and injuring 21 other people, including children. The attack came on the sixth anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17 people.
Eicos Science Injection Is First FDA-Approved Frostbite Treatment
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
The drug will be sold under the brand name Aurlumyn and is expected to be available in the spring, though pricing is not yet known. Meanwhile, prescriptions for the first pill to treat postpartum depression are said to be “off to a promising start” after its launch.
To Tackle Staffing Shortage, University Of Georgia Gets A Medical School
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
The university will launch an independent medical school amid the ongoing shortage of medical professionals. In other industry news, cyberattacks on hospitals are expected to increase; some services are restored at Lurie Children’s Hospital after a cyberattack; and more.
Fitness Tracker Data Hints At Body Temps As A Depression Symptom
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study found participants with higher body temperatures also reported higher rates of depressive symptoms, though it’s not clear which way the causal link flows. Also in the news: Science finds walking, yoga and strength training can tackle depression as well as therapy.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 15, 2024
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Drug shortages, Medicaid expansion, FDA action, medical education, long covid, gun violence, depression, and more are in the news.
FTC To Investigate How Purchasing Organizations Impact Drug Shortages
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Stat reports that the FTC will look into the role that group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and wholesalers play in controlling the availability and cost of critical medicines to hospitals and other medical facilities in the U.S.
Nuevas normas de elegibilidad son un alivio financiero para casi 2 millones de personas en Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
February 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Este grupo se equiparará a los aproximadamente 12 millones de otros beneficiarios que no tienen límites de activos.
First Edition: Feb. 15, 2024
February 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Early Detection May Help Kentucky Tamp Down Its Lung Cancer Crisis
By Charlotte Huff
February 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
After a decade of work, a Kentucky program launched to diagnose lung cancer earlier is beginning to change the prognosis for residents by catching tumors when they’re more treatable.
Watch: The Feds Reexamine Covid Protocols. Here’s Why You Should Care.
February 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News’ Céline Gounder explains the “five-day rule” on covid safety, how guidelines and testing have evolved, and how best to protect yourself and others.
New Eligibility Rules Are a Financial Salve for Nearly 2 Million on Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
February 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Nearly 2 million Medi-Cal enrollees, mainly people who are aged, disabled, or in long-term care, can now accumulate savings and property without limitations and still qualify for the state’s health insurance program for low-income residents. They join an additional roughly 12 million enrollees who already had no asset limits.
The No Surprises Act Comes With Some Surprises
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
February 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The No Surprises Act, the landmark law intended to protect patients from surprise out-of-network medical bills, has come with, well, some surprises. A little more than two years after it took effect, there’s good and bad news about how it’s working. First, it’s important to note that the law has successfully protected millions of patients […]
Harvard Awarded CARB-X Funds To Develop Oral Antibiotics
February 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Why Is Use Of The ‘Polypill’ Not Being Implemented Everywhere?
February 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Viewpoints: The War On LGBTQ+ Continues With Conversion Therapy; Assisted Dying Shouldn’t Be This Hard
February 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss conversion therapy, medical aid in dying, maternal assistance, and more.
Talks Among Lawmakers On Medicare Doctor Payments Float Partial Increase
February 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Stat reports that congressional lawmakers are considering a partial adjustment to Medicare physician pay cuts that were enacted this year. Doctors have been lobbying Congress to make the change in the next spending bill.
No Change Yet: CDC Says 5-Day Covid Isolation Is Still The Guideline
February 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
The potential downgrade in isolation time was reported earlier this week, but NBC News says that discussions surrounding any updates to overall covid guidelines are still in a very early stage. Other covid-related news is on pregnant women who develop long covid, long covid’s effect on relationships, and more. RSV, the plague, and measles are also in the news.
Senator Says Company Tracked, Sold Data On Planned Parenthood Visits For Anti-Abortion Ads
February 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote to the FTC and SEC, asking the agencies to investigate allegations that a private location data company, Near Intelligence, tracked visits to 600 Planned Parenthood locations across 48 states and sold that data for use in a targeted anti-abortion ad campaign.