Texas Maternal Deaths After Abortion Ban Will Not Be Investigated
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
In an attempt to offer more “contemporary” recommendations to policymakers, the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee has decided to not review deaths that took place in the first two years after the abortion ban went in to effect. Also, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatens retaliation against hospitals if they don’t collect citizenship data.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 27, 2024
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
Trump’s health nominees and policies, medical bill surprises, fentanyl, transplants, maternal mortality, vaccines, and more.
Jay Bhattacharya Tapped By Trump To Lead NIH
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
In yet another sign that the president-elect is looking to overhaul the public health sector, Donald Trump has selected a candidate who has been critical of the agency he would direct.
Trump Is Shaping His Cabinet With A Clear Focus On Shaking Up Status Quo
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
The president-elect’s nominees — particularly those in the health sector — have a history of scrutinizing the government agencies that would be under their purview. However, they have shown that their political priorities align with Trump’s.
Experts: Tariff War With China, Mexico May Only Worsen Fentanyl Crisis
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
Newspapers in China warned the United States not to “take China’s goodwill for granted regarding anti-drug cooperation,” Reuters reported. China has recently been more willing to share intelligence on the flow of fentanyl. Meanwhile, as the Wall Street Journal notes, Mexico has a notorious inability to confront powerful drug gangs.
Kidney, Liver Transplants Will Now Be Allowed Between People With HIV
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
The landmark move comes as a report shows new HIV cases are at their lowest numbers since the 1980s. World AIDS Day is Sunday.
Low Vaccination Rates Before Holidays Concern Public Health Experts
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also in the news: vaccine hesitancy in Washington and Oregon; the Canadian teen with bird flu; the mpox vaccine in Africa; and more.
Physician Staffing Firm NES Health Folds, The Third To Fail In Recent Years
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also in health industry news: Pontiac General Hospital files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; health systems are hiring doctors from PE-backed firms; and more.
Patients Lose 20% Of Weight With New Once-A-Month Shot MariTide
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new experimental weight loss drug from Amgen — the first in a growing group of drugs aimed at once-a-month injections instead of once a week — helped patients lose up to 20% of their weight in one year, according to data from a Phase 2 trial. In other news, a new study shows that acetaminophen may in fact cause ulcers along with other health issues. Also: biotech, AI, and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024
November 27, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: First Edition won’t publish for the rest of the week. Look for it again in your inbox Monday. Happy Thanksgiving!
Trump Doesn’t Need Congress To Make Abortion Effectively Unavailable
By Julie Rovner
November 27, 2024
KFF Health News Original
President-elect Donald Trump vowed on the campaign trail not to sign a nationwide abortion ban. But he wouldn’t need to do so to make abortion difficult, or illegal, writes KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner.
A Toddler Got a Nasal Swab Test but Left Before Seeing a Doctor. The Bill Was $445.
By Bram Sable-Smith
November 27, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A mom in Peoria, Illinois, took her 3-year-old to the ER one evening last December. While they were waiting to be seen, the toddler seemed better, so they left without seeing a doctor. Then the bill came.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Public Health and the Dairy Cow in the Room
November 26, 2024
Podcast
Public health, one of the more misunderstood concepts in the health world, is about the health of entire populations, rather than individuals. As a result, public health is closely tied to things like the environment, nutrition, and safety. With major concerns such as bird flu looming, President-elect Donald Trump’s priorities could translate into efforts that undermine those of public health workers. In this special episode of KFF Health News’ “What the Health?”, chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner is joined by Healthbeat editor-in-chief Charlene Pacenti, KFF Health News public health correspondent Amy Maxmen, and Healthbeat New York City reporter Eliza Fawcett.
Efforts To Curb ACA Enrollment Fraud Face Real-World Test
By Julie Appleby
November 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The current Affordable Care Act open enrollment season is the first big test of new federal guardrails against fraud. The rules aim to head off unauthorized ACA plan enrollments or switches by rogue agents and entities looking to make money via enrollment commissions. Such sign-ups triggered more than 274,000 consumer complaints through August this year. […]
Ailing Crew, Passenger Aboard Separate Flights Trigger Call To CDC
November 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Delta workers and a person on an Avianca flight all sought medical care after arriving at Boston Logan International Airport. The cause of the illnesses is unknown. Meanwhile, Texas is facing its worst dengue fever outbreak in two decades. Also, a look at lung cancer rates in women.
Trump Might Medically Discharge All Transgender Troops
November 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to several news outlets, an executive order is being drafted that would immediately discharge all transgender service members — estimated at 15,000 — from the military, a move that would prove to be chaotic at a time when new recruitments are low. Donald Trump’s team did not deny the reports but said no decisions have been made.
Pharma Analysts Mull Risks Of RFK Jr.’s Proposed Ban On Lucrative Ads
November 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The absence of direct-to-consumer outreach will “almost certainly” cause drug sales to plunge, experts fear. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump is considering Jim O’Neill as deputy secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services. O’Neill has expressed interest in FDA reforms.
Agency That Helps Protect Americans From Medical Debt May Face Overhaul
November 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports that Republican party leaders want to impose new restrictions on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which shields people from deceptive financial practices. Meanwhile, some government watchdogs are already quitting their jobs.
