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.
Experimental Non-Opioid Pain Drug Achieves Success In Studies
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ new drug works by blocking pain signals before they get to the brain and is expected to avoid some issues that opioid pain drugs cause via addiction. The new drug is sparking debate on how widely it would be used if it wins regulatory approval.
Hospital Industry Outlook Looking Good On Wall Street
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Axios says rising demand for medical care is bringing “good vibes” to the hospital industry’s financial outlook, even as health insurers are left nervous. Also in the news: Humana expands its CenterWell care into new markets; Accompany Health launches; digital therapeutics; and more.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, January 31, 2024
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
STD rates, measles cases, covid, Medicaid drug costs, violence against health workers, a non-opioid pain drug, and more are in the news.
Syphilis Cases Rise In US While Other STDs Fall Or Stay Flat
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to CDC data, syphilis incidences rose 9% in 2022, and have increased 80% since 2018. Gonorrhea cases dropped for the first time in a decade though.
First Edition: Jan. 31, 2024
January 31, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The FTC Is Attacking Drugmakers’ ‘Patent Thickets’
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
January 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
It’s a big job clearing out so-called “patent thickets” drugmakers create to keep their products’ prices high. But the Federal Trade Commission is giving it a shot.
Ketamine Therapy for Mental Health a ‘Wild West’ for Doctors and Patients
By Dawn Megli
January 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Ketamine, approved by the FDA as an anesthetic in 1970, is emerging as a major alternative mental health treatment, and there are now more than 500 ketamine clinics around the country. But with little regulation and widely varying treatment protocols, it’s a medical “wild West.”
Montana Vows Changes to Avoid Delayed Contracts. Some Health Providers Still Await Back Pay.
By Katheryn Houghton
January 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The head of Montana’s health department said the agency is catching up on a months-long backlog of contracts with organizations that connect people to medical care that left organizations without pay, halted some services, and triggered job cuts.
¿Dónde están los proveedores de atención primaria del país? La respuesta no es fácil
By Rae Ellen Bichell
January 30, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Expertos en el tema sienten una frustración persistente: es difícil saber si alguna política está funcionando porque los datos que recopila el gobierno federal sobre las áreas de escasez de atención primaria no han sido fidedignos durante mucho tiempo.
A Legal Battle Over Herring Fishing Has Big Implications for Health Care
By Julie Rovner
January 30, 2024
KFF Health News Original
What do herring fishing and health policy have in common? Quite a bit, it turns out, owing to a case now before the Supreme Court. If the justices rule as expected, based on this month’s oral arguments, they could dramatically change the way federal health agencies operate. “The upheaval caused … would be immense,” argues […]
Texas Supreme Court To Hear Challenge To Youth Gender Care Ban
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other news, Ohio may be set to follow after Alabama used nitrogen gas in an execution for the first time. Also: HCA North Florida Hospital has extended its surgery shutdown after an instrument sterilization problem; Colorado’s aid-in-dying rules may change; and more.
Viewpoints: Rise In Colon Cancer In Younger Generation Baffles Doctors; Are MAID Rules Too Lenient?
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle colon cancer, doctor-assisted euthanasia, child tax credits, and more.
Closed Illinois Hospital Will Be Reopened By OSF Healthcare
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
The hospital in Peru, Illinois had been recently shuttered and will now open April 7, offering emergency services and a limited inpatient facility. Also in the news: Steward Health Care’s financial issues; ProMedica’s Paramount Health acquisition by Medical Mutual; and more.
Analysts Expect Medicare To Press Industry For Steep Drug Price Cuts
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Medicare program’s first ever price negotiations are set to begin, with experts expecting pressure for deep cuts on 10 high-cost medicines. Meanwhile, in Europe regulators are promoting their successes in regulating big pharma.
Possible Shot Contamination Linked To Five Early Alzheimer’s Cases
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Five people in the U.K. may have developed Alzheimer’s because of contaminated human growth hormone injections they received as children, a new study suggests. Meanwhile, reports say new Alzheimer’s drugs are bringing hope to some patients, but not equally.
Using Alcohol, Drugs As A Teen Linked To Psychiatric Distress
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
New research published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics found that teens who use cannabis, alcohol, and nicotine are more likely to have underlying mental symptoms. Separate research shows that college students suffering discrimination are more likely to report mental health challenges.
First Amendment Case On Covid Misinfo Control Heads To Supreme Court
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
The lawsuit, which will be heard in March, centers on questions around the federal government’s role in requesting that tech giants suppress covid misinformation during the pandemic. Also, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra defended federal covid isolation guidelines that California has deviated from.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 30, 2024
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Primary care shortages, mifepristone, drug prices, brain implant trial, hospital closings, mental health, misinfo, and more are in the news.
Mifepristone Supreme Court Case Will Be Heard On March 26
January 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments for March 26 in a closely watched case over access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used most commonly in the U.S. for a medication abortion. Issues of FDA authority are also at stake in the lawsuit.