California Moves Ahead of the FDA in Banning Common Candy Additives
By Annie Sciacca
October 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The legislation bans the use of four additives that are already prohibited in many other countries but remain in popular U.S. foods. Advocates say states need to act because the FDA has done little.
Let’s Have an Honest Conversation About What to Expect as You Age
By Judith Graham
October 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A leading geriatrician says a lot of health information for older adults isn’t as useful as it should be. No person’s aging process looks exactly like another’s. So she’s written a guidebook.
Una charla necesaria: qué le ocurre al cuerpo y la mente a medida que se envejece
By Judith Graham
October 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
El envejecimiento altera a las personas por décadas, un largo período influenciado por circunstancias sociales y económicas, conductas, el lugar en donde se vive, y otros factores. E impacta en la fisiología, pero no de manera uniforme para todos.
Biden Pick to Lead NIH Finally Has Her Day, but Still Gets Caught Up in Drug Price Debate
By Colleen DeGuzman
October 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Monica Bertagnolli, the president’s choice to head the National Institutes of Health, appeared before a Senate committee this week. Her confirmation has been held up by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has demanded President Joe Biden work more aggressively to lower prescription drug prices.
Senators Demand Answers From Social Security on Clawbacks Tied to Covid Relief
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
October 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Covid relief payments weren’t supposed to cost people their Social Security benefits, but some recipients say they did. Senators want to know why.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The Open Enrollment Mixing Bowl
October 19, 2023
Podcast
Open enrollment for Medicare beneficiaries with private health plans began Oct. 15, to be followed Nov. 1 by open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans. The selection for both is large — often too large to be navigated easily alone. And people who choose incorrectly can end up with unaffordable medical bills. Meanwhile, those on both sides of the abortion issue are looking to Ohio’s November ballot measure on abortion to see whether anti-abortion forces can break their losing streak in statewide ballot questions since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
In The Pandemic, Many Families Saw Incomes Rise — If They Were White
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
New data from a Federal Reserve survey show polarizing results: On average, American families had income gains from 2019 to 2022, but the highest-earners gained most, and for income at the median, small declines were seen for Hispanic and Black families. Also: Go ahead and snooze that alarm!
Research Roundup: Lyme Disease; UTI; Arthroplasty; Mpox; HPV
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Uneven Medical Care Costs Are Out Of Hand; Preventive Biologics Could Tackle Antibiotic Resistance
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss health care costs, antibiotic resistance, mental health and more.
Adding Mental Health Care At Your PCP Isn’t Costlier For Insurers: Study
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Insurance companies will, at worst, “break even” on the investment, research shows. The study notes that the primary care office model is not for people with more serious forms of mental illness, such as schizophrenia or major depression.
Attorneys: Medicaid Unwinding Notices In Florida Were ‘Incomprehensible’
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
As part of a potential class-action lawsuit alleging Florida did not provide adequate information before removing people from health care rolls, attorneys suggested the state’s notices led people to make the wrong decisions. Also in the news: North Carolina’s mental health system.
Abuse Reports Of ‘Reproductive Coercion’ Doubled After Roe Ended
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
New data from the National Domestic Violence Hotline show in the yearlong period after the end of Roe v. Wade, there was a near doubling of domestic violence reports involving reproductive coercion. Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has self-funded a national abortion access effort.
Pfizer Reveals New, Higher Paxlovid Price: $1,400 For Five-Day Course
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Recent predictions about rising prices for the anti-covid drug seem to have been realized: Pfizer has announced a new price of nearly $1,400, which is more than two and a half times the previous government-paid price of $529. Importantly, most patients are unlikely to pay these price out of pocket.
Amazon Drones Will Soon Bring Meds To Customers In College Station, Texas
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The delivery effort is a test and could see customers getting their prescriptions dropped at their address within an hour of placing their order, thanks to a drone dispatched from a delivery center with a secure pharmacy. In other news, as part of its bankruptcy plan, Rite Aid is set to shut 154 stores.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, October 19, 2023
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Social Security clawbacks, maternal health, NIH nominee hearing, Medicare Advantage, Paxlovid cost, and more are in the news.
At NIH Confirmation Hearing, Senate Frets Over Politicization Of Research
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Monica Bertagnolli, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the NIH, spent her hearing battling Republican and Democratic political stances and blame games over high drug costs. Hot-button health issues like government funding for gender care research were also raised.
Senate Finance Panel Grills Medicare Advantage Brokers Over Incentives
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing Wednesday, questioning national insurance brokers about their practice in guiding Medicare Advantage enrollees through choosing among many plan options. Financial incentives and privacy were among the issues discussed.
First Edition: Oct. 19, 2023
October 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Health Care ‘Game-Changer’? Feds Boost Care for Homeless Americans
By Angela Hart
October 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
This month, the federal government started paying for treatments delivered outside hospitals and clinics, expanding funding for “street medicine” teams that treat homeless patients. California led the way on the change, which could help sick and vulnerable patients get healthy, sober, and, in some cases, into housing.
Feds Try to Head Off Growing Problem of Overdoses Among Expectant Mothers
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez and Katheryn Houghton
October 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Homicides, suicides, and drug overdoses have driven rising rates of pregnancy-related death in the U.S. This fall, six states received federal funding for substance use treatment interventions to prevent at least some of those deaths.