CDC Adds Flu, RSV To Covid Sampling For International Air Travelers
November 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC’s infection surveillance, called the traveler-based genomic surveillance program, began in 2021 and now expands to other health threats beyond covid. But even as the pandemic fades, reports say some covid shots are hard to find, though successes with a nasal covid vaccine are also in the news.
White House Faces Pressure To Ban Menthol Cigarettes
November 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The White House Office of Management and Budget is reviewing an FDA proposal to ban menthol cigarettes, and a coalition of politicians and health organizations want to see it happen. But the idea faces pushback from former law enforcement officials, including concerns over Mexican cartels’ reactions.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, November 7, 2023
November 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Election Day, Medicare Advantage rules, gun violence, virus surveillance, abortion law, opioids, smoking, and more are in the news.
CMS-Proposed Rules Would Cap Medicare Advantage Broker Incentives
November 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are launching a second-wave effort to target Medicaid Advantage marketing practices in an effort to ensure older Americans have access to Medicare supplemental benefits and drug coverage.
It’s Election Day: Abortion Battles Will Play Out In Ohio, Virginia
November 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
A ballot measure in Ohio seeks to protect abortion access, and in Virginia, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he’d seek a 15-week abortion ban if Republicans win control of the legislature. Legalized recreational pot is also up for consideration in Ohio.
First Edition: Nov. 7, 2023
November 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Epidemic: The Scars of Smallpox
November 7, 2023
Podcast
The series finale of “Epidemic: Eradicating Smallpox” is a visit to the home of Rahima Banu, the last person with a documented case of naturally occurring variola major smallpox. When the virus was declared eradicated, she became a symbol of one of the greatest victories in global public health. What happened to Rahima Banu afterward?
Iowa’s Governor Opposes Abortion — And Has Final Say on Whether Medicaid Pays for It
By Tony Leys
November 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The federal government requires state Medicaid programs to pay for abortions in limited circumstances, but Iowa hasn’t done so for years. No providers seek Medicaid payments, which require the approval of the governor, an anti-abortion Republican.
New California Law Offers Fresh Protection From Steep Ambulance Bills
By Bernard J. Wolfson
November 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, prohibits out-of-network ground ambulance operators from billing patients more than they would pay for in-network rides. It also caps how much the uninsured must pay.
Children Who Survive Shootings Endure Huge Health Obstacles and Costs
By Liz Szabo
Updated November 7, 2023
Originally Published November 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A new study finds that young people who have been injured by firearms are more prone to psychiatric diagnoses and developing a substance use disorder than kids who have not been shot — and their families also suffer long-term ill effects.
Si la ciencia asegura que los adolescentes necesitan dormir más, ¿por qué es tan difícil hacer que las clases empiecen más tarde?
By Catherine Sweeney, WPLN
November 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
La resistencia a empezar más tarde tiene menos que ver con dificultades logísticas y financieras, sobre todo en aspectos básicos como el transporte escolar.
Viewpoints: Ohio Is Next State To Make Big Decision On Abortion Rights; Does NyQuil Work Anymore?
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle abortion rights, decongestants, insurance, and more.
Infamous Tuskegee Syphilis Study Has Been Digitized For Public Use
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post calls the study one of “medical history’s bleakest chapters.” Meanwhile, data show emergency room visits for children injured by firearms doubled during the pandemic. Other research linked daily cannabis use to a higher risk of severe heart disease, similar to smokers.
UN And Aid Agencies Decry Israel’s Airstrike On Gaza Ambulance
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Officials and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society say wounded people were being evacuated in a convoy of ambulances. Israel’s military claimed the ambulance hit was carrying Hamas militants. Separately, Turkey and Egypt agreed for 1,000 cancer patients and other injured civilians from Gaza to receive treatment in Turkey.
Medicare Requiring Hospitals To Make Pricing Information Easier To Find
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
New Medicare regulations aim to make hospital prices more transparent to patients by improving compliance and transparency with existing requirements and with plans to publicly assess facilities. Other Medicare news relates to home health care, outpatient reimbursements, and more.
Voters Set To Decide On Key Abortion Matters In Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion rights are in the hands of voters in different ways in three states Tuesday. In Ohio, Republicans are accused of using taxpayer funds to promote false anti-abortion claims ahead of the state constitutional amendment vote.
Two GOP Lawmakers Say FDA Partly To Blame For Ongoing Drug Shortage
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The two lawmakers allege the FDA is “failing to ensure” important medications remain on pharmacy shelves. In other news, Pfizer cuts 200 jobs in Michigan; details on how the Cleveland Clinic’s drone med delivery program will work; the shrinking American cigarette market; and more.
Big Health Plan Formularies Do Provide ‘Fair Access’ To Treatments: Study
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
An investigation into how some of the largest health plans’ formularies provide access to 18 treatments for some serious diseases showed positive results, but did note that transparent coverage info was sometimes lacking. Meanwhile, this year’s ACA enrollment, freshly open, has an easier sign-up.
Data Show 10 Million Were Disenrolled From Medicaid Over 6 Months
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The latest tracker data on Medicaid enrollment show that over 10 million people have lost Medicaid coverage since the redetermining of eligibility began in April (notably, this is about 1 in 34 of the population, or around 3%.) Among other news, the cost of the health care minimum wage in California, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, November 6, 2023
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Hospital infections, Medicaid “unwinding,” Medicare, price transparency, abortion votes, drug shortages, and more are in the news.