A Second Human Patient Has Received A Transplanted Pig Heart
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
The genetically modified pig heart was transplanted into a man with terminal heart disease who had no other hope of treatment, the University of Maryland Medical Center announced. Previously, the first recipient of a pig heart died two months after the transplant, but the organ functioned well.
First Edition: Sept. 25, 2023
September 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Pot Boom Wakes Sleepy Dinosaur, Colorado
By Markian Hawryluk
September 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A small town close to the Colorado-Utah state line strikes it rich with marijuana sales.
Officials Agree: Use Settlement Funds to Curb Youth Addiction. But the ‘How’ Gets Hairy.
By Aneri Pattani and Emily Featherston, InvestigateTV
Illustration by Oona Zenda
September 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Parents, educators, and elected officials agree that investing in school-based prevention efforts could help curb the rising rate of youth drug overdoses. The well-known D.A.R.E. program is one likely choice, but its effectiveness is in question.
Journalist Assesses Federal Push to Remove Medical Debt From Credit Reports
September 23, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In two radio appearances this week, KFF Health News senior correspondent Noam N. Levey discussed medical debt in the U.S. and contextualized a new federal push to keep unpaid medical bills from affecting patients’ credit scores.
Cuando pienses en tu salud, no te olvides de tus ojos
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Muchos planes de salud cubren los exámenes de visión de rutina, pero estos generalmente no incluyen el tipo de examen que se utiliza para recetar anteojos y lentes de contacto.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on the nervous system, cutting-edge athletic treatments, adoption in South Korea, and more.
Viewpoints: New Moms Are Not OK; When Did We Stop Believing In Science?
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss “mom rage,” skepticism surrounding scientists, Medicaid enrollment, malaria, and more.
FDA Panel Rejects Drug-Device Tech For Treating Type 2 Diabetes
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
A panel of medical advisers quashed hopes of a Cambridge biotech that its system would be reconsidered for approval, after being rejected twice. The device’s benefits were outweighed by its safety risks, the panel concluded. In other industry news: contamination at a U.S. Novo Nordisk plant, health care strikes, and more.
Scientists Find Paxlovid, Molnupiravir Lower Risks From Omicron Covid
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Two studies determine beneficial impact of the antiviral drugs on death and hospitalization risks from an omicron infection, though Paxlovid was found to be less effective against serious cases of covid in real-world tests than it was in initial trials.
Law Firm Argues Youth-Led Utah Climate Case Should Proceed To Trial
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The reasoning: the “landmark” climate case victory in Montana. Attorneys for Our Children’s Trust and Deiss Law PC argue a 2022 lower court ruling that dismissed the Utah case was wrong. Meanwhile in Florida, KidCare premiums will be covered in counties hit by Hurricane Idalia.
Contentious Primary Care Bill Advances Out Of Senate Health Committee
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 14-7 to advance legislation that provides critical funding for community health centers and aims to increase access to primary care doctors and nurses. In drafting the bill, Chair Bernie Sanders circumvented the panel’s Republican leader, Sen. Bill Cassidy, setting up a clash between them during Thursday’s proceedings.
FTC Sues Anesthesia Group Over Alleged Anticompetitiveness
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Media outlets cover the antitrust lawsuit filed Thursday, explaining how it targets a large private equity-backed doctors’ group that operates anesthesia practices in several states that allegedly created a monopoly by buying up nearly every large anesthesia practice in Texas, and more.
Obesity Is Becoming More Common Across The Nation: CDC
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on new data from the CDC showing that last year 22 states had at least 35% of adults with obesity, up from 19 states in 2021 — and a dramatic change from ten years ago when no state had an adult obesity rate reaching 35%. The 19th covers weight discrimination in health care.
Canceled Appointments, Surprise Price Tickets: Covid Shot Rollout Hits Snags
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the obstacles people are encountering while trying to get the latest covid vaccines — including insurance coverage, appointment, and distribution issues. Meanwhile, amid rising cases, a Gallup poll says 3 in 10 Americans think the covid pandemic is worsening again.
California AG Sues Anti-Abortion Clinics Promoting Abortion ‘Reversal’
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s targets are two operators of “crisis pregnancy centers.” The case alleges they are making fraudulent claims by advertising an unproven, potentially risky protocol to reverse medication abortions. Other abortion news is from Ohio, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
Appeals Court Considers If State Insurance Plans Must Cover Gender Care
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in cases Thursday involving the coverage of gender-affirming care by North Carolina’s state employee health plan and gender-affirming surgery by West Virginia Medicaid. Meanwhile, some providers are limiting gender-affirming care even when legal.
Biden Administration Moves To Block Medical Debt From Credit Reports
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
With an estimated 20% of U.S. households carrying some form of medical debt, the CFPB proposed new rules Thursday that aim to keep unpaid medical bills from negatively impacting consumers’ credit scores.
Medicaid To Be Reinstated For Nearly 500,000 People Mistakenly Removed
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Now 29 states and D.C. are scrambling to fix a computer system error that improperly evaluated people’s Medicaid eligibility, CMS announced Thursday. The glitch led to nearly 500,000 people, including many children, losing their insurance coverage.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 22, 2023
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medical debt initiative, Medicaid enrollment error, covid vaccine snags, primary care legislation, rising obesity, and more are in the news.