Different Takes: Congress Must Act Now To Reauthorize PEPFAR
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers discuss PEPFAR on World AIDS Day.
Viewpoints: Pediatric Flu Shot Rates Are Abysmal; How Concerning Are China’s New Respiratory Illnesses?
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss flu shot rates, China’s respiratory illnesses, affirmative action in health care, and more.
Covid Policies, Housing Among Issues Argued In DeSantis-Newsom Debate
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican and presidential candidate, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, engaged in a spirited debate on Fox News Thursday. Both took aim at the other’s covid policies over the course of the pandemic. And in other health-related issue, DeSantis targeted the public health impact of homelessness on cities like San Francisco.
Texas AG Sues Pfizer, Says It Deceived Public On Covid Shot Effectiveness
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, is accusing Pfizer of lying about its covid vaccine effectiveness, and over selling the shots. Separately, Anthony Fauci, former White House medical adviser, will testify in Congress over the U.S. covid response, and the virus’ origins.
CDC Warns About Eating Pre-Cut Cantaloupe Unless You Know Source
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
A salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupe has grown to affect at least 117 people across 34 states, leading to the new warning. Also in the news: worries over leaded fuel used by small planes; a recall of children’s cups due to high levels of lead; “forever chemicals” in fish; more.
Illinois Ruling Means Medical Workers Aren’t Covered By Privacy Law
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
A pair of nurses had sued their employers over use of fingerprint-locked medication storage, but now the state’s Supreme Court ruled against them. Also in health industry news: Republican opposition to site-neutral hospital payment cuts; ChatGPT in health care; and more.
Novo Sues Florida Compounding Pharmacies For Impure Wegovy Doses
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Novo Nordisk says it found its products at the pharmacies concerned were as much as 33% impure. Also in the news, AbbVie’s promising cancer drug; quality issues with China-made plastic syringes; Purdue Pharma’s bankruptcy; and more.
Former Marine Guilty Of Firebomb Attack On California Abortion Clinic
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Chance Brannon was on active duty in San Diego County when he firebombed a Planned Parenthood clinic in 2022, and has now pled guilty to the attack. Meanwhile, a ruling means Ohio is exempt from some family planning funding regulations.
Global Progress Against AIDS ‘Under Threat,’ UN Warns
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The politicization and stigmatization of global AIDS work is threatening gains made in treating and preventing the disease, the United Nations AIDS program says. And one of the world’s leading AIDS researchers echoes the concern.
Suicides Involving Guns Reach Highest Level Since Records Began
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The rate increased by more than 10 percent in 2022 compared with 2019, but the rise was much steeper in some racial and ethnic groups. Meanwhile, in California, more CARE courts launch — an effort to help homeless people with mental illnesses.
CDC Director Testifies On Current State Of Covid, Flu, And RSV Threats
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
In her first congressional testimony as head of the embattled CDC, Mandy Cohen fielded questions from Republicans about the spike in child pneumonia in China. Rather than a new pathogen, she said it was attributed to the same increase in respiratory illnesses experienced last winter by nations that opened back up sooner post-pandemic. She also said that RSV season is in full swing in the U.S.
First Edition: Dec. 1, 2023
December 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Freshwater Fish, Yet Most States Don’t Warn Residents
By Hannah Norman
Graphics by Lydia Zuraw Illustration by Oona Zenda
December 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
At least 17 states have issued PFAS-related fish consumption advisories, KFF Health News found. But with no federal guidance, what is considered safe to eat varies significantly among states, most of which provide no regulation.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Trump Puts Obamacare Repeal Back on Agenda
November 30, 2023
Podcast
Although Republicans have never united behind a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said this week he wants to put the issue back on the national agenda. That delights Democrats, who have won at least two elections partly by defending the now-popular health law. Meanwhile, the Texas Supreme Court takes up a case brought by women who say their pregnancy complications further endangered their health due to the vagueness of Texas’ near-total ban on abortions. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of Axios News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Rachana Pradhan, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.
In Congress, Calls Mount for Social Security to Address Clawbacks
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
November 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In the wake of a KFF Health News-Cox Media Group investigation, U.S. lawmakers are asking what Social Security will do about its demands on their constituents to repay money already distributed — and sometimes in error. Sen. Rick Scott called the agency’s actions “unacceptable.”
Adultos mayores, detectives contra avisos engañosos de Medicare Advantage
By Susan Jaffe
November 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Funcionarios de los Centros de Servicios de Medicare y Medicaid le han pedido a las personas mayores y a otros miembros de la comunidad que sean detectives contra el fraude, denunciando tácticas de venta engañosas al 800-MEDICARE.
DeSantis, Newsom to Tangle Over Hot-Button Health Issues
By Angela Hart and Daniel Chang
November 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Florida’s Republican presidential hopeful, Ron DeSantis,and Democratic firebrand Gavin Newsom of California square off today in a contest of governors that can best be described as the debate to determine ¿quién es más macho? — who is more manly — about protecting your freedoms. Both men have led their respective states since 2019, and they’ve […]
Viewpoints: The Battle For Abortion Rights Rages On; Nonprofit Hospitals Need To Refocus On Community
November 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle reproductive rights, community hospitals, pregnancy discrimination and more.
Controversial ‘Abortion Reversal’ Laws On Books In 15 States
November 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Bills supporting unproven treatments to counteract a medication abortion are being advocated for by anti-abortion groups and have passed in 15 states. Colorado is the only one that’s gone the other way, effectively banning the treatment.