Jury Hands Down $2.25 Billion Verdict In Bayer Roundup Cancer Case
January 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Separately, health tech company Philips will not sell new sleep apnea devices in the U.S. as it works to comply with an FDA settlement. Also: The FDA approved Dupixent to treat younger children with allergic esophagus inflammation; the U.K. will ban disposable vapes; and more.
Texas Democrats Align On Abortion As They Battle To Unseat GOP’s Ted Cruz
January 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Democratic challengers to Sen. Ted Cruz are trying to earn the support of organized labor advocates, with abortion, guns, and border issues central to their efforts, the Austin American-Statesman says. NPR also reports that House Democratic candidates are focusing on abortion in their campaigns.
Texas AG Presses A Georgia Clinic For Medical Records Of Texas Trans Youth
January 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
This is the second time Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is requesting private records of Texas transgender children who received gender care in another state, the Texas Tribune says. Also in the news: The VA hasn’t lived up to its gender care promises; religious trauma in LGBTQ+ Americans; and more.
After Years Of Silence On Opioid Crisis, US And China To Hold Talks This Week
January 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post says the meetings that begin Tuesday in Beijing are a critical step forward since November, when China opened lines of communication on the topic.
First Edition: Jan. 29, 2024
January 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Readers Weigh Downsides of Medicare Advantage and Stick Up for Mary Lou Retton
January 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
How Fringe Anti-Science Views Infiltrated Mainstream Politics — And What It Means in 2024
By Amy Maxmen
January 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Opposition to vaccines and other public health measures backed by science has become politically charged. That makes dangerous misinformation much harder to fight.
Records Show Publix Opioid Sales Grew Even as Addiction Crisis Prompted Other Chains’ Pullback
By Ian Hodgson, Tampa Bay Times and Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times
January 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
As national prescription drug distributors and pharmacies restricted the flow of oxycodone and other painkillers in response to the growing opioid crisis, Florida’s most popular grocery store ramped up its sales and distribution of the highly addictive drugs, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis of federal data.
Health Care Experts Worry Over Sale Of US Helium Stockpile
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Health supply chain experts worry over Thursday’s sale by the U.S. government of the Federal Helium Reserve. The rare gas is critical for making MRI machines work. Also in the news: what to know about ordering medication from overseas; C. diff risks from antibiotics and reflux drugs; more.
Real-World Impact Of HPV Vaccine Shown In Cervical Cancer Study
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study out of Scotland, dubbed historic for its impact, showed that there were no cervical cancer cases for women born between 1988 and 1996 who were fully vaccinated against HPV when young. Meanwhile, in the U.S. a study shows cervical cancer deaths rising in low-income populations.
During Alabama Nitrogen Execution, Prisoner Struggled For 2 Minutes
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The execution of Kenneth Smith put the U.S. at the forefront of a debate on the death penalty, the AP says. The controversial nitrogen gas method saw Smith appear to make seizure-like movements and struggle against his restraints. Also in the news: syphilis, drug price gouging, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on Obamacare, organ donation, vitamins, diphtheria, expensive toilets, and more.
Viewpoints: Why Do We Know So Little About Long Covid?; Biden Was Right About Obamacare
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle long covid, “Bidencare,” affordability of health care, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 26, 2024
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Assisted living facilities, drug shortages and costs, health industry money woes, Medicare, measles, long covid, and more are in the news.
Bankruptcies Soared Among Health Care Companies Last Year
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets round up a host of stories on the financial pressures currently facing health care systems, hospitals, Medicare insurance providers, and pharmacy giants.
Senators Propose Medicare Hospital Incentives To Relieve Drug Shortages
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Senate Finance Committee released a paper Thursday that floats multiple legislative proposals for fixing the current national crisis over prescription drug shortages, including bonuses to hospitals that take steps to fend off shortfalls. Separately, Sen. Elizabeth Warren is urging the White House to take steps to tackle Medicare Advantage overpayments and denials.
Snapchat Moves To Support Bill Protecting Young Social Media Users
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Snapchat’s owner is publicly supporting the Kids Online Safety Act. Politico says it’s the first big tech platform to do so. Meanwhile, a study has identified social withdrawal as a behavioral risk factor for teen suicide. Separate research found teens from large families may have worse mental health.
CDC Warns Health Providers To Watch For Measles Cases
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
An increased number of measles cases imported from abroad have triggered the CDC’s new warning. In the U.K. a measles outbreak has seen 216 cases in one region alone since October—in 2022 there were just 53. Separately, research shows covid during pregnancy can cause health issues in babies.
Texas’ Rape Pregnancy Data Show Hollowness Of Governor’s Promise
January 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Houston Chronicle says new data of an estimated 26,000 rape-related pregnancies in Texas since it enforced an abortion ban is drawing attention to Gov. Greg Abbott’s vow to “eliminate rape.” In Iowa, a new bill would allow medical providers to refuse any care that violates their beliefs.