Covid, Flu On Rise In Heart Of Holiday Season; RSV Likely Past Peak, CDC Says
December 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
With covid hospitalizations — a closely watched indicator of the state of transmissions — rising for the 5th straight week, some regions’ hospitals are starting to have capacity concerns. CDC data also shows an increase in flu activity.
First Edition: December 18, 2023
December 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Hongos misteriosos son el centro de brote de intoxicación alimentaria
By Keely Larson
December 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Según el Código Alimentario de la FDA, la gran mayoría de las más de 5,000 especies de hongos carnosos que crecen naturalmente en América del Norte no han sido sometidas a pruebas de toxicidad.
‘They See a Cash Cow’: Corporations Could Consume $50 Billion of Opioid Settlements
By Aneri Pattani
December 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As opioid settlement dollars land in government coffers, a swarm of businesses are positioning themselves to profit from the windfall. But will their potential gains come at the expense of the settlements’ intended purpose — to remediate the effects of the opioid epidemic?
In New Year, All Immigrants in California May Qualify for Medicaid Regardless of Legal Status
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In the new year, California’s Medicaid program will open to otherwise eligible immigrants ages 26 to 49 without legal residency. They will join children, young adults, and adults over 50 enrolled in Medi-Cal through previous expansions to residents lacking authorization. The change is expected to add over 700,000 first-time enrollees.
A partir del 1 de enero, todos los inmigrantes en California pueden calificar para Medi-Cal, más allá de su estatus legal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
December 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los nuevos inscritos se sumarán a más de 655,000 niños, adultos jóvenes de hasta 25 años y adultos de 50 años y más que ya se han registrado en Medi-Cal a través de expansiones anteriores para residentes sin papeles.
Mysterious Morel Mushrooms at Center of Food Poisoning Outbreak
By Keely Larson
Illustration by Oona Zenda
December 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials issued their first guidelines on preparing morel mushrooms after a deadly food poisoning outbreak in Montana, noting the toxins in the delicacy aren’t fully understood.
‘Financial Ruin Is Baked Into the System’: Readers on the Costs of Long-Term Care
By Jordan Rau and Reed Abelson, The New York Times
December 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Thousands of people shared their experiences and related to the financial drain on families portrayed in the “Dying Broke” series, a joint project by KFF Health News and The New York Times that examined the costs of long-term care.
Millions of Dollars Flow From Pharma to Patient Advocacy Groups
By Rachana Pradhan
December 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Pharma money is all over the place — in universities, companies doing continuing medical education for doctors and in prominent patient advocacy organizations that are household names across America. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy nonprofit, reports today that between 2010 and 2022, the drug industry’s main lobbying group and member companies provided at least $6 […]
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on bias, the Smithsonian’s brain collection, Pfizer’s future, and more.
Viewpoints: Pro-Choice Supporters’ Fears Have Come True; Here’s How To Fix Reproductive Rights Website
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle issues including reproductive rights, obesity, drug prices, and more.
Attorneys Push For Judge To Rule On Abortion Pill Ban In Wyoming
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP explains that attorneys for both sides in a challenge to Wyoming’s abortion restrictions are pressing a judge to rule on the law without holding a trial. The restrictions include the United States’ first explicit ban on abortion medications. Meanwhile, in Idaho, a controversy unfolds over medical exemptions for abortion bans.
FDA Warns Makers Not To Sell Unapproved Animal Antibiotics
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Concerned over rising drug-resistant superbugs, the FDA sent letters to nine companies, including e-commerce company Chewy, warning against selling or making unapproved antibiotics or antimicrobial drugs for animals. Separately, an insect study examined antimicrobial resistance passing via genes.
Study Finds ‘Hundreds’ Of Child Deaths From Playing With Guns Over 20 Years
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that of the hundreds of child deaths from unintentional shootings over the past two decades, the vast majority happened due to guns being stored unlocked and loaded — many in a nightstand or on a bed.
In A First Since Covid, California’s Deaths From All Causes Are Close To Normal
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The number of deaths from all causes is expected to drop beneath 300,000 for the first time since covid hit — close to pre-pandemic levels, the Mercury News reports. The decline is primarily caused by fewer covid deaths. Also in the news: the opioid crisis in California.
Philadelphia Set To Become First City To Make Medical Deportations Illegal
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
In a 14-to-1 vote Thursday, the Philadelphia City Council approved a bill that makes it unlawful for a hospital in the city to send a noncitizen to their home country without consent. Meanwhile, in Ohio, a bill to block doctors from giving gender care to trans youth is headed to the governor’s desk.
Health Companies Sign On To White House Parameters For AI Development
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
White House officials announced Tuesday that 28 health care companies — including CVS, Oscar, Curai, Devoted Health, Duke Health, Emory Healthcare, and WellSpan Health — are joining the Biden administration’s voluntary commitments that aim for safer development of artificial intelligence.
Kansas Governor Offers Medicaid Expansion Plan With Work Requirement
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
In an effort to court Republican support, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is floating a Medicaid expansion plan that includes a work requirement, as well as funding sources from hospitals. In South Dakota, lawmakers are also considering a resolution that would add work requirements to its Medicaid expansion.
Not Just ‘Long Covid’: Researchers Find ‘Long Flu’ Can Cause Lingering Harm
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
A published study offers evidence that patients who contract the influenza virus can experience persistent symptoms or long-lasting health effects. Other infectious disease news reports on RSV, covid, mpox, and more.
Lead-Tainted Applesauce May Have Been Deliberate Act
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Stressing that the FDA is still investigating, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones explained that the applesauce pouches linked to scores of sick children may have been intentionally contaminated. Also in the news: Product recalls more than doubled between 2018 and 2022.