Public Outrage Sparked As Essentia Shutters Labor, Deliveries In A Hospital
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The facility in question is in Fosston, Minnesota. Separately, Bloomberg reports on the failed sale of Pennsylvania hospital chain Tower Health’s Brandywine hospital. A merger of two New Jersey providers — Saint Peter’s Healthcare System and Atlantic Health System — is also in the news.
Experts: Conspiracy Theories Drive Rise Of Unproven Medical Treatments
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
An AP report draws attention to a rise of marketing unproven cures and treatments, driven by conspiracy theorists and rising social media use against a backdrop of skepticism about traditional health science. Meanwhile, the CDC’s new vaccice schedule for kids addresses fears over egg allergies.
CDC Study Links Camp Lejeune Water Contamination To Cancer
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Military staff stationed at the base from 1975 to 1985 had a higher chance of developing a number of cancers, CDC data say. Separately, the EPA has OK’d the use of the herbicide paraquat, despite its known links to Parkinson’s disease.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 1, 2024
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Medicare drug pricing, Alzheimer’s drug, online mental health crisis, opioids, maternity care, covid, abortion, and more are in the news.
Medicare Pricing Talks On 10 Drugs Kick Off With CMS Opening Offers
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration sent starting offers in Medicare price negotiations with drugmakers for 10 prescription medications that were previously selected. The companies have until March 2 to respond to initial proposals, with other rounds of talks expected through the spring.
Cigna To Sell Its Medicare Business To Health Care Service Corp.
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Cigna is shedding its troubled Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Medicare part D plans that cover 3.6 million people. The business will be sold to Health Care Service Corp., a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer.
Biogen Abandons Alzheimer’s Drug That Won Controversial Approval
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Neurimmune, the Swiss company that invented Aduhelm, will regain full rights to it from Biogen. The FDA’s accelerated approval of the drug in 2021 was contentious and there has been limited marketplace for and coverage of Aduhelm since.
First Edition: Feb. 1, 2024
February 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Surge in Syphilis Cases Leads Some Providers to Ration Penicillin
By Catherine Sweeney, WPLN
February 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Injectable penicillin is the go-to treatment for syphilis and the only treatment considered safe for pregnant people with the disease. But as rates of syphilis increase across the U.S., a shortage of the injectable has prompted some public health agencies to ration it.
More ‘Navigators’ Are Helping Women Travel to Have Abortions
By Lillian Mongeau Hughes
February 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
After the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal right to an abortion and many states banned the procedure, reproductive health care organizations hired dozens of people to help patients arrange travel and pay for care.
Utah Gov. Signs Bill Restricting Trans People’s Access To Public Restrooms
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new anti-trans law also defines the legal definition of “male” and female” based on a person’s genitalia instead of gender identity. Meanwhile, in Florida, trans people can no longer update their driver’s licenses to match gender identity — a move not prompted by any new law.
Gallup Poll Finds Nurses Are Most Trusted Among 23 Major Professions
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Americans trust nurses even more than doctors, the new 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll found: 78% of Americans taking part in the poll felt nurses kept to “very high” or “high” standards of honesty and ethics. Also in the news: female body dummies for CPR training.
Should Obesity Drugs Be Prioritized? Genetics Test Could Help Decide
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Misinformation Can Be Deadly; Will We Ever Recover From The Covid Pandemic?
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle misinformation, covid, gene therapy, and more.
New Cases And Low Vaccination Rates In Some Areas Raise Measles Concerns
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Some states in the Northeast are reporting a rise in measles. That trend is expected to spread to westward, including to some spots where vaccination rates are low enough to raise alarms for the CDC.
Thousands Of Frontline Worker Covid Deaths Due To Govt. Failures: Report
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study published in the BMJ calls attention to failures in the U.S. regulatory system that contributed to the deaths of thousands of frontline workers during the pandemic. Separate research shows up to 75% of adults have hidden an infectious illness in order to work, travel, or socialize.
Medicaid Outlines Plan To Help Pay For Pricey Sickle Cell Gene Therapies
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will pursue so-called outcomes-based agreements that would put discounts or rebates in place on two new expensive gene therapies if they don’t deliver promised results for patients with sickle cell disease.
Lawmakers, AHA Highlight Need For Health Worker Anti-Violence Bill
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
House sponsors of the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees Act of 2023 urged action on the bill at a briefing hosted by the American Hospital Association, which endorses the measure.
Analysis Finds Premature Birth Rate Grew 12% From 2014 To 2022
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
In 2022, nearly 8.7% of U.S. births were premature, new data from the National Center for Health Statistics show. Black mothers were nearly twice as likely as white peers to give birth before full term. Also in the news: the VA will expand fertility treatment options to single vets and same-sex couples.