RFK Jr.’s Campaign of Conspiracy Theories Is PolitiFact’s 2023 Lie of the Year
By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact and Katie Sanders, PolitiFact
December 27, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Debate and speculation are heating up over whether Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign will factor into the outcome of the 2024 election. But one thing is clear: Kennedy’s political following is built on a movement that seeks to legitimize conspiracy theories.
In Year 6, KFF Health News-NPR’s ‘Bill of the Month’ Helps Patients in a Changing System
December 23, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In the sixth year of the KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” series, patients shared more than 750 tales of medical billing problems, and reporters analyzed more than $730,000 in charges — including more than $215,000 owed by 12 patients and their families.
Rising Colon Cancer Rate In Young Americans Can’t Be Explained
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
In other news, a new online tool offers caregivers an easy way to pass on their care plans to other caregivers; how virtual reality can help boost seniors’ moods and memory in nursing homes; the difficult topic of grief during the holidays; a novel back pain treatment; and more.
Federal Judge Blocks California’s Public Place Gun Ban
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The law would have banned firearms in most public places was blocked by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney over Second Amendment violations. The New York Times, meanwhile, covers how school kids in Cranston, Rhode Island, blithely ignore gunfire from a nearby police range.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads For The Holiday Break
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on cancer, migraines, aging, CAR-T therapy, and more. Happy holidays!
Viewpoints: How Was Phenylephrine Approved Despite Being Ineffective?; Confusion On Supervised Drug Sites
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss OTC decongestants, supervised drug sites, abortion and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, December 22, 2023
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Health care legislation in 2024, Medicaid, ‘Paxlovid rebound,’ pediatric training, colon cancer, weight-loss drugs, and more are in the news.
‘Plenty’ Of Unfinished Health Care Work Awaits Lawmakers In New Year
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Congress left for the holiday recess without settling a large number of top health care priorities like appropriations and expiring funding, hospital and doctor payments, and more. News outlets also look back at how key health matters fared in 2023.
Closure Of St. Louis Nursing Home Came After Medicaid Payment Loss
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the home had just lost a special $1 million annual Medicaid payment before its abrupt shuttering left families and staff scrambling. Also, Indiana’s Medicaid program has turned out to be around $1 billion more expensive than previously expected.
There May Not Actually Be A ‘Paxlovid Rebound,’ US Researchers Say
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
People with weakened immune systems appear to have a greater probability of “viral rebound” of covid, no matter if they receive drugs or not, scientists at the CDC and FDA suggested.
CMS Reveals Medicare Appeal Process For Incorrect Hospital Observation Stays
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The process is aimed at Medicare beneficiaries who feel hospitals inappropriately classified stays as observations instead of admissions, resolving a 12 year-old class action lawsuit. Also in the news: cancer patients facing frightening delays in treatment approvals.
Lawmakers Plan To Fund Pediatric Training Program Via Appropriations
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Republicans had been trying tie the reauthorization of the Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program to efforts to limit gender-affirming care for transgender kids. That effort is set to fail. And lawmakers are now looking to fund the program via appropriations.
FDA Says Unauthorized Fat-Dissolving Shots Can Be Dangerous
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Spas and clinics have been offering unauthorized versions of fat-dissolving injections, and people have been reporting problems like scarring and infections, the FDA says. The FDA also issued a warning about counterfeit versions of Novo’s smash-hit drug Ozempic.
As Adderall Shortage Continues, ADHD Drug Prices Soar
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The ongoing ADHD drug shortage has placed financial pressure on families, forcing some to scrimp to pay for treatment. Meanwhile, Stat reports on how pharma companies keep drug prices high and competition low.
More Teens Are Turning To Hormonal Implants As Birth Control
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The jump over a decade from 0.6% to 13% sexually active teen girls getting a hormonal implant is credited by some experts for the decline in teen pregnancies. Other reproductive health news reports on infertility, midwives, and other maternal care developments.
First Edition: Dec. 22, 2023
December 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Happy holidays from all of us to all of you!
‘AGGA’ Inventor Testifies His Dental Device Was Not Meant for TMJ or Sleep Apnea
By Brett Kelman and Anna Werner, CBS News
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The FDA and Department of Justice are investigating the Anterior Growth Guidance Appliance, or “AGGA.” TMJ and sleep apnea patients have filed lawsuits alleging the device harmed them. Its inventor now says the AGGA was never meant for these ailments.
Se avecinan cambios para Medi-Cal en 2024, pero ¿beneficiarán a los pacientes?
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A partir del próximo año, más de 700,000 inmigrantes sin papeles serán elegibles para una cobertura completa de Medi-Cal.
Bold Changes Are in Store for Medi-Cal in 2024, but Will Patients Benefit?
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
California’s Medicaid program is undergoing major changes that could improve health care for residents with low incomes. But they are happening at the same time as several other initiatives that could compete for staff attention and confuse enrollees.
Cancer Patients Face Frightening Delays in Treatment Approvals
By Lauren Sausser
December 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Delaying cancer treatment can be deadly — which makes the roadblock-riddled process that health insurers use to approve or deny care particularly daunting for oncology patients.