Viewpoints: We Can Learn From Sweden’s Handling Of Covid; How Have Some People Avoided Covid?
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle covid, rural hospitals, AI in health care, and more.
Philips Respironics To Pay $479M To Settle Claims Of Flawed CPAP Machines
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Concerns over the breathing machines, which may “spew” gasses and foam flecks into patients’ airways, drove a recall of millions of the devices. Meanwhile, a small study suggests a weight-loss drug may help cut insulin requirements for people newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Court Rules Massachusetts Facility Can Carry On With Electric Shock ‘Therapy’
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruling says the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center can keep shocking residents to address aggressive or self-harming behavior, Reuters reported. Also: tracking of rape kits, end-of-life care, and more.
It Wasn’t Just You: Data Show 2023’s Summer Was Hottest Ever. By A Lot.
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Data from the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service show July was the hottest ever month on record. And August? The second hottest recorded. In turn, reports show that heat-related deaths are also up, but not just because of hotter weather.
HHS Aims To Stop Provider Discrimination Against Those With Disabilities
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare covers news that the Health and Human Services Department is taking aim at providers’ habits of denying care to people with disabilities based on an inability or an unwillingness to accommodate their needs. Also in the news: the problem with medical credit cards.
Biden Still Testing Negative For Covid, And Now So Is First Lady
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden departed as planned for his international trip to the G-20 summit in India as he continues to test negative for covid. First lady Jill Biden, who first tested positive Monday night, is now showing clear tests.
It’s Back: Yes, Covid, But Also The Heated Political Rhetoric Over Masks
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
As covid cases rise, only a smattering of schools or businesses are trying to require masks again. And the Biden administration is not pushing for that to change. Even so, Republicans are pounding the issue on the campaign trail and one senator pushed a bill to ban mask mandates.
Florida Supreme Court To Take Up Challenge To Abortion Bans
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood, the ACLU and others tackles the law banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, influencing another even stricter six-week ban signed by Florida Gov. DeSantis. Abortion rights supporters aren’t hopeful of the outcome.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 8, 2023
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC budget, heat-related deaths, covid, masks, abortion law, disability discrimination, medical devices, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Sept. 8, 2023
September 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Move to Slash CDC Budget, House Republicans Target Major HIV Program Trump Launched
By Andy Miller and Sam Whitehead
September 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Republicans in Congress have proposed substantial cuts to the budget of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking aim at one of former President Donald Trump’s major health programs: a push to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.
Heat-Related Deaths Are Up, and Not Just Because It’s Getting Hotter
By Phillip Reese
September 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Excessive heat contributed to 1,670 deaths nationwide last year, according to federal data — the highest rate in at least two decades. An increase in drug use and homelessness, along with hotter temperatures, were among the reasons.
The Shrinking Number of Primary Care Physicians Is Reaching a Tipping Point
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
September 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The declining share of U.S. doctors in adult primary care is about 25% — a point beyond which many Americans won’t be able to find a family doctor at all.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Welcome Back, Congress. Now Get to Work.
September 7, 2023
Podcast
Congress returns from its summer recess with a long list of tasks and only a few work days to get them done. On top of the annual spending bills needed to keep the government operating, on the list are bills to renew the global HIV/AIDS program, PEPFAR, and the community health centers program. Meanwhile, over the recess, the Biden administration released the names of the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare price negotiation program.
Viewpoints: Fall Booster Shows Promise In Battling New Variants; The Post-Roe Dystopia Is Here
September 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into new covid variants, abortion, psychedelics, and more.
Teen Reported Dead After Eating Extremely Spicy Tortilla Chip
September 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The mother of a 14-year-old Massachusetts boy says her son died after taking part in Pacqui’s “One Chip Challenge,” which involves eating a chip dusted with some of the spiciest chili peppers in the world. Among other news, research links traumatic brain injuries to cognitive decline later in life.
Louisiana Has Highest Firearms-Related Death Rate For Children
September 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
A recent study points to a worsening of the gun death rate among children, with Louisiana “sadly leading the way,” Axios reports. In other news, a California judge has temporarily paused a school district’s policy of forcibly outing trans students to their parents.
Research Roundup: Alzheimer’s; Cancer; Covid; Weight-Loss Pill
September 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Amid Extreme Heat, Many Low-Income Americans Miss Out On Money To Pay Cooling Costs
September 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico reports that over 30 million low-income households eligible for federal funding to help pay for cooling during dangerous hot weather have yet to receive any aid. The news comes as the UN’s first global chief heat officer sounded warnings over the dangers posed by warming cities.
California Assembly Passes Bill To Decriminalize Personal Psychedelic Use
September 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The measure cleared the state’s lower house Wednesday. If California’s effort succeeds, it would be the third state to take such a step. Separately, NPR reports that the share of U.S. drug overdose deaths caused by counterfeit pills is rising.