ResMed Respiratory Masks With Magnets Stay On Sale Despite Recall
January 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
The mask recall had been classified as “most serious” by the FDA because of the risk of injury or death. But ResMed argued the issue centers on a labeling matter and is not a product removal. Separately, a CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell can be used on a different disorder, the FDA said.
Topical Antifungal Use May Lead To Uptick In Resistant Skin Infections
January 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
People With Health Insurance Now Own The Most ‘Bad Debt’ To Hospitals
January 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
It’s a major shift: The Guardian wrote that in 2018, just 11% of hospitals’ bad debt came from insured “self-pay” accounts. By 2022, the proportion who didn’t pay their bills jumped to 58% of all hospitals’ bad debt. Other news is on health insurance premiums, drug pricing, and more.
Government Funding Stopgap Plan Puts Some Health Care Measures On Pause
January 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Although Congress has worked to reach a tentative government funding deal that would direct money to key health programs into March, Modern Healthcare says funding for some critical health issues are left in an uncertain state.
First Edition: Jan. 17, 2024
January 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
America’s Health System Isn’t Ready for the Surge of Seniors With Disabilities
By Judith Graham
January 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
More than a third of older adults have a disability. Many find it difficult to get the medical care they need. New federal regulations would address that problem.
‘I’m Not Safe Here’: Schools Ignore Federal Rules on Restraint and Seclusion
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
January 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials have long warned that restraint and seclusion in schools can be dangerous and traumatizing for children, but school districts often fail to report incidents as required by law.
Cómo impactaría una segunda presidencia de Trump en la atención de salud
By Julie Rovner
January 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Intentar pronosticar las prioridades de Trump en un segundo mandato es aún más difícil ya que cambia frecuentemente de posición sobre los temas, y lo hace muchas veces.
The Peak Of The Covid-Flu-RSV Tripledemic May Have Passed
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Key indicators for respiratory illnesses have declined for the first time in weeks, CDC data show. The Colorado Sun, meanwhile, reports the timing of its local covid hospitalization peak is “fascinating”—it came at almost exactly the same time as the past two years’ seasonal peaks.
Your Funky New Office ‘Wellness’ Push May Not Be Achieving Much: Study
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
New research shows that even though “wellness” employee mental health services are a billion-dollar-scale industry, they may be of little benefit to employees who participate in them. Also in the news; CarePoint Health and Hudson Regional Hospital plan to form a new system.
‘Black Box’ For Recording Every Action In An OR Is Tested In Massachusetts
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Boston Globe reports on an operating room-watching, AI-powered system that is meant to gain insights that can boost quality of procedures and performance, though it remains controversial. The Apple Watch ban, experimental Alzheimer’s treatments, and more are also in the news.
Study Finds Link Between Chronic Ear Infections And Delayed Speech
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
A study out of the University of Florida finds that kids who had several ear infections before age 3 had a smaller vocabulary and had difficulty matching similar-sounding words. Other health and wellness news is on organ donation, eye disease in older age, snow shoveling safety tips, and more.
Viewpoints: Lack Of Childcare Is Making Parents Sick; How Much Plastic Are You Drinking?
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss parental anxieties, nanoplastics, women’s health, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 16, 2024
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Drug pricing, Obamacare enrollment, restrictions on pot, tobacco use, employer wellness programs, ear infections, and more are in the news.
NIH Director Taking Slow Approach To Invoking March-In Drug Patent Rights
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
NIH’s new director, Monica Bertagnolli, spoke to Stat about the challenges of requiring pharmaceutical companies to charge a reasonable price for drugs created with the help of federal funds—a policy move that President Joe Biden has pressed.
Lawmakers Rush To Pass Stopgap Funding Bill Before Shutdown Deadline
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Congressional leaders unveiled the measure over the weekend that would keep the federal government operating through March. The measure faces opposition among some Republicans and must pass before Friday’s deadline to avert a partial shutdown.
As ACA Enrollment Window Closes, Florida Leads In Sign-Ups
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
A record number — about 20 million — signed up for ACA coverage. Over 4 million enrollees are in Florida. Also in Florida, the House began to move on its plans to boost the number of physicians and expand health care access. Meanwhile, data show cancer care improves in Medicaid expansion states.
US Should Ease Restrictions On Pot, Federal Scientists Recommend
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
A newly released scientific review sheds light for the first time on the thinking of federal health officials who are pondering a momentous change. Also, a study found that using cannabis doesn’t lead to using opioids.
Fewer People Using Tobacco Globally, Despite Big Tobacco’s Huffs And Puffs
January 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on dramatically tumbling tobacco use over a generation, though “Big Tobacco” is working hard to reverse the trend, including trying to influence global health policies, the WHO says. Also in the news, a tobacco ban advances in Vermont; nicotine pouches are a growing trend; and more.