First Edition: Sept. 22, 2023
September 22, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
When You Think About Your Health, Don’t Forget Your Eyes
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 22, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Americans think losing their eyesight would be one of the worst possible health outcomes, yet millions lack a fundamental understanding of eye health.
Biden Administration to Ban Medical Debt From Americans’ Credit Scores
By Noam N. Levey
September 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The White House said the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will develop new regulations that would prevent unpaid medical bills from being counted on credit reports.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Countdown to Shutdown
September 21, 2023
Podcast
Congress appears to be careening toward a government shutdown, as a small band of House conservatives vow to block any funding for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 unless they win deeper cuts to health and other domestic programs. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump continues to roil the GOP presidential primary field, this time with comments about abortion. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Tami Luhby of CNN join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.
Research Roundup: Food Allergy Prediction; Covid; Syphillis
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Why Is The Same Party Responsible For PEPFAR Now Trying To Eliminate It?
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into PEPFAR, the consequences of overturning Roe, and covid boosters and misinformation.
Biggest Health Care Cost Rise In 10 Years To Hit US Employers Next Year
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Reuters, covering a forecast of the “largest increase in health insurance costs in a decade,” notes that workers may be somewhat spared from the effects thanks to the tight labor market. Among other news, a group of PBMs launched Transparency-Rx, a lobbying coalition concerning prescription drug costs.
Researchers See Benefits Of Breathing Exercises For Long Covid Recovery
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
A meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open points to the benefits of breathing exercises and physical training for people trying to recover from long covid. Meanwhile, other scientists found that convalescent plasma may lessen the odds of a patient developing long covid.
105,000 Dropped From Medicaid Rolls In Florida During August
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Over 105,000 people were removed from Medicaid rolls in Florida, according to data posted on the state Agency for Health Care Administration website. Meanwhile, in California: Accidental overdoses rose in August in San Francisco; Bay Area air quality suffers from wildfire smoke. Plus, news from across the states.
House Makes Progress On Spending Deal; Worries Over Health Impacts Of A Shutdown Remain
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
House Republicans have “inched closer” to agreement over stalled spending legislation. Their terms, which would require more drastic spending cuts, are unlikely to pass the Senate though, keeping shutdown concerns high. Meanwhile, a House hearing on Medicare drug negotiations turned testy.
AI Shows Promise In Tracking Depression Recovery, Heart Health Risks
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover developments related to artificial intelligence including: how the technology helps researchers measure recovery from treatment-resistant depression; predicting future heart health risks; pinpointing the genetic causes of diseases; and more.
Worries Rise That Hotter Oceans Raise Bacterial Infection Risks
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports on concerns over infection risk impacts from warming oceans. USA Today notes extreme heat events are killing New Yorkers with diabetes and heart problems. But Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Politico says, is trying to argue climate change is just ideology, not a real effect.
Abortion Issue Takes Center Stage In Kentucky Gov. Race, Trump’s Campaign
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has launched a new campaign ad painting his opponent, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, as extreme on abortion. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump’s bid for re-election is also getting mired in abortion politics despite his previous credentials on the issue.
UN Takes Early Step Toward Preparing For The Next Pandemic
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the UN’s political declaration on pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response, which also calls for greater international cooperation come the next global outbreak. But the adoption of the declaration by the General Assembly may be threatened by Russia and its allies.
Neuralink, Elon Musk’s Brain-Chip Startup, Readies To Start Human Trials
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
The first human clinical trial for Neuralink’s brain-computer interface is expected to take 6 years and will recruit participants who have quadriplegia with limited function in all four limbs due to a spinal cord injury or ALS.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 21, 2023
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Free covid tests, shutdown watch, abortion politics, preparing for the next pandemic, dementia, Medicaid unwinding, and ore are in the news.
Another Round Of Free Covid Tests Can Be Requested Starting Sept. 25
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Amidst a fall wave of covid infections, the Biden administration announced that it will mail out another batch of at-home covid rapid testing kits. Each household that signs up at covidtests.gov will be sent 4 tests at no cost.
First Edition: Sept. 21, 2023
September 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Younger Children Increasingly Die by Suicide, Better Tracking and Prevention Is Sought
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
September 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Decades-long systemic shortcomings have left suicide among children ages 5 to 11 poorly tracked and addressed. Now, as rates appear to be rising, advocates are strengthening efforts to screen for problems and prevent deaths in younger children.
California Officials Seek ‘CARE’ Without Coercion as New Mental Health Courts Launch This Fall
By April Dembosky, KQED
September 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In Orange County, California, officials are threading a delicate needle. They want to persuade people with psychosis to accept treatment without coercion as the state’s new CARE Courts roll out in October.