First Edition: Aug. 14, 2023
August 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Patients in California County May See Refunds, Debt Relief From Charity Care Settlement
By Molly Castle Work
August 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As hospitals are criticized for skimping on financial assistance, Santa Clara County has agreed to notify 43,000 former patients of possible billing reductions as part of a settlement. Some patients had sued, alleging the county’s hospital system sent them to collections for bills they shouldn’t have received.
Proposed Rule Would Make Hospital Prices Even More Transparent
By Julie Appleby
August 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A Biden administration proposal would help standardize the data on prices that hospitals provide to patients, increase its usefulness to consumers, and boost enforcement. Previous rules gave hospitals too many loopholes.
Parents See Own Health Spiral as Their Kids’ Mental Illnesses Worsen
By Renuka Rayasam
August 14, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The day-to-day struggles that parents of kids with mental health conditions must navigate have led to their own crisis: The stress can take a physical toll that disrupts parents’ ability to provide care, say psychologists, researchers, and advocates for families.
Journalists Sum Up the Costs to Patients of New Weight Loss Drugs and Hospital Mergers
August 12, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Pruebas de sangre para detectar cáncer generan esperanza, pero también preocupación
By Mark Kreidler
August 11, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Muchos expertos dicen que aún no está claro si las pruebas hacen más bien que mal, y que tener una ya disponible comercialmente les preocupa.
Watch: As Opioid Settlement Money Starts to Flow, States and Local Officials Debate How to Use It
August 11, 2023
KFF Health News Original
PBS NewsHour featured KFF Health News’ Aneri Pattani as it reported on how this debate is playing out in North Carolina and Ohio.
Viewpoints: Answers Needed In Excess Deaths In Young People; What Should Happen To Prisoners With Dementia?
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle unexplained mortality, Medicaid unwinding, prisoners with dementia, drug prices, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections focus on health care among the rich, the diaper crisis, top surgery, and dementia.
‘Obamacare’ Rates In Virginia May Rise After Lawmakers Fail To Reach Deal
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
The problem stems from issues surrounding the state’s reinsurance program, which was launched this calendar year but now might be suspended for 2024, AP reported. Other news is on medical debt, black lung disease, 911 cellphone technology, and more.
Premium Cigars ‘Entirely Unregulated At Federal Level’ After Ruling
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled against the FDA on Wednesday, vacating an FDA rule classifying premium cigars such that they could be regulated just like cigarettes. The agency said in a brief it was worried over the deregulated status of cigars, but the judge argued state laws protected the public.
Number of American Adults With Long Covid Fell Over The Past Year
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new CDC report says that 7.5% of U.S. adults 18 and over were experiencing long covid symptoms in June 2022, but by June 2023 the figure had fallen to 6%. CIDRAP reports that the percentage of sufferers who said their symptoms affected daily life remained unchanged.
Hospital Survey Reveals Widespread Drug Shortages, Care Rationing
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
An American Society of Health-System Pharmacists survey found 99% of hospital pharmacists reported some drug shortages, and 1 in 3 health systems had to delay, modify or cancel care. Also in the news: warnings over “compounded” weight loss drugs like weight-loss medication Wegovy.
Cano Health Trims 700 Workers; UnitedHealth Cutting Back On Prior Authorizations
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare also reports that Cano Health is exiting four markets and exploring a sale. UnitedHealthcare, meanwhile, is said to be cutting back on some prior authorization rules ahead of federal curbs. Also in the news: how medical bills can be bumped up by hospital mergers.
VA Extends Deadline For Applications For Toxic Substance Payouts
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act broadened Veteran Affairs health care benefits to veterans exposed to toxic substances, and though hundreds of thousands reportedly signed up, technical hitches hit the system. As a result, the Department of Veterans Affairs extended the deadline until Aug. 14.
Morning Briefing for Friday, August 11, 2023
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicaid unwinding, record suicides, opioid deal blocked, health worker shortages, veteran health, long covid, and more are in the news.
Biden Administration Reveals $100 Million Plan To Boost Nurse Workforce
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
To cope with the ongoing shortages, Department of Health and Human Services officials revealed a $100 million investment with the goal of training more registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and more. Also in the news: 18% of health employees use ChatGPT regularly at work.
More People In US Killed Themselves Last Year Than Ever Before
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
CDC data shows that 49,500 died by suicide in 2022. That record number alarms federal health officials who are urging renewed efforts to build up access and acceptance of mental health services. The head of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention also points to the spike in suicides by firearms.
Supreme Court Halts Purdue’s Opioid Settlement Over Sackler Family Immunity
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
As requested by the Biden administration, the Supreme Court justices will review a provision of the $6 billion Purdue Pharma settlement with state and local governments that would shield the Sackler family from civil lawsuits over its alleged role in the opioid crisis.
CMS Dials Up Public Pressure On States Over Medicaid Enrollment Red Tape
August 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services publicly released warning letters sent to all states over the high number of people losing Medicaid coverage for reasons other than eligibility. At least 36 states are believed to be falling short in one of the key areas of concern: paperwork problems, long call center wait times, or slow application processing.