Mixed MRNA Vaccine Treatment Shows Long-Term Promise Against Melanoma
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The experimental messenger RNA shot, when paired with Merck’s Keytruda treatment, halved the chance of recurrence or death from melanoma after three years. CBS News explains how this mRNA tech is custom-built for each patient based on an analysis of their tumors.
Morning Briefing for Friday, December 15, 2023
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Prescriptions drug costs, Medicaid expansion, AI in health care, “long flu,” RSV, a melanoma vaccine, tainted food, and more are in the news.
Biden Says New Caps Will Save Seniors Money On Prescriptions Next Year
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden touted savings that Medicare beneficiaries are expected to see next year on some prescriptions drugs. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, starting Jan. 1 pharmaceutical companies can be penalized for raising prices faster than inflation.
First Edition: Dec. 15, 2023
December 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘Until It Is Fixed’: Congress Ramps Up Action on Social Security Clawbacks
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
December 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, vowed to meet monthly with Social Security officials until the problems surrounding overpayment demands are fixed.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Abortion and SCOTUS, Together Again
December 14, 2023
Podcast
The Supreme Court agreed this week to hear its first major case on abortion since overturning Roe v. Wade — one that could restrict the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone, even in states where abortion remains legal. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers in the House and Senate finally moved to renew health programs that expired in October — but it’s likely too late to finish the job in 2023. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Riley Griffin of Bloomberg News, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Jen Golbeck, a University of Maryland professor and social media superstar, about her new book, “The Purest Bond,” which lays out the science of the human-canine relationship.
New Yorkers’ Credit Reports Will No Longer Reflect Medical Debt
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that prohibits credit agencies from collecting information about medical debt and using it in credit reports. Other state health news relates to transgender health, kratom, reproductive health, and other issues.
Poison Centers Report 1,500% Spike In Calls Related To Weight-Loss Drug
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
So far this year, America’s poison control centers reported nearly 3,000 calls involving semaglutide — the medication sold as Ozempic and Wegovy. Callers report symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation and some have been hospitalized for accidental overdoses.
Americans Have More Physical, Mental Health Woes Now Than Before Covid
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
New Gallup data show more Americans had diabetes diagnoses, and other health issues, and also lower confidence than compared to before the pandemic. Meanwhile, a new report from actuary firm Milliman shows about 2 in 3 Americans with mental health conditions couldn’t access treatment.
WHO Advisory Group Says Keep Using Single-Variant Shots Against Covid
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
A WHO technical advisory group suggested, in the light of current genetic changes in the covid virus, vaccination programs should stay with the current monovalent covid shot that targets the XBB.1.5 variant. Separately, Pfizer’s share price fell after it said fewer covid shots would be sold next year.
Scientists May Have Found Cause Of Severe Morning Sickness
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The discovery suggests that a single hormone — GDF15 — plays a role in causing hyperemesis gravidum, meaning a possible route to new treatments has been uncovered. Also in the news: more lead poisoning from applesauce pouches; the Air Force embraces smartwatches for health; and more.
Research Roundup: C. Diff; Long Covid; Semaglutide; Daydreaming
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 14, 2023
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
U.S. health care spending, abortion pill access, AI, medical debt, weight-loss drug overdoses, covid shots, morning sickness, and more are in the news.
Americans Spent $4.5 Trillion On Health Care In 2022
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover a new federal analysis of health expenditures that have been bouncing around during the pandemic but now stand at nearly $13,500 annually per person. Axios suggests the rise in spending in 2022 shows a return to pre-pandemic patterns of spending growth. But other data show fewer people have gone uninsured over the last three years.
Supreme Court Will Hear Case Challenging Abortion Pill Access
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
After a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit earlier suggested that access to mifepristone should be curbed, despite the FDA’s regulations for the pill, the Biden administration asked the justices to intervene. Mifepristone combined with misoprostol is currently the most common medicated abortion protocol in the U.S.
House Bill Lets Schools Serve Whole Milk, Reversing 2012 Low-Fat Push
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The “Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,” which would allow the National School Lunch Program to serve whole milk, passed 330-99 in the House on Wednesday. In 2012, then-First Lady Michelle Obama moved to only allow low-fat variations to be offered to school kids.
HHS Finalizes Tech Rule To Increase AI Transparency In Health IT Software
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Vendors that want to certify their AI-enabled health IT products through HHS’ Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology now must disclose how their algorithm was designed, developed, and trained.
Viewpoints: Banning Mifepristone Undermines FDA Authority; Abortion Ban Exemptions Are A Farce
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into abortion rights, diabetes, obesity and long covid.
First Edition: Dec. 14, 2023
December 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Rift Over When to Use N95s Puts Health Workers at Risk Again
By Amy Maxmen
December 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering fuzzy guidelines on infection control in hospitals, critics say, leaving employers free to cut corners on N95 masks and other protective measures.