People Are Dying, Receiving Second-Degree Burns From Extreme Heat
July 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
NBC News says the burn injuries are happening as people fall or pass out on sun-scorched surfaces. Axios, meanwhile, says 18 heat deaths have been confirmed in metro Phoenix. And AP explains how homes can become “air fryers” in an extreme heat event. The hot weather is expected to continue.
Amid The Heat Wave, Bacteria Shut Many Massachusetts Beaches
July 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
High bacterial levels detected in the water are closing many beaches in New England . Also in the news, where mold is most prevalent in New York, possible covid upticks in Massachusetts, E. coli sickened a California town, and more.
First Edition: July 21, 2023
July 21, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medical Debt Is Making Americans Angry. Doctors and Hospitals Ignore This at Their Peril.
By Noam N. Levey
July 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Doctors and hospitals hold an exalted position in American life, retaining public confidence even as other institutions such as government, law enforcement, and the media are losing people’s trust. But with health care debt out of hand, medical providers risk their good standing.
Industry Groups in California Vie for New Medicaid Money
By Angela Hart and Samantha Young
July 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
State officials have promised to boost funding for California’s Medicaid program by $11.1 billion starting next year, with most of that money earmarked for higher payments to doctors, hospitals, and other providers. But the details have yet to be worked out, and powerful health industry groups are jockeying for position.
Doctors Created a Primary Care Clinic as Their Former Hospital Struggled
By Cecilia Nowell
July 21, 2023
KFF Health News Original
With the community’s help, former co-workers came together to fill gaps in care left by the loss of doctors and departments at a Gallup, New Mexico, hospital.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Let’s Talk About the Weather
July 20, 2023
Podcast
It’s been the summer of broken weather records around the world — for heat, rain, and wildfire smoke — advertising the risks of climate change in a big way. But, apparently, it’s not enough to break the logjam in Washington over how to address the growing climate crisis. Meanwhile, in Texas, women who were unable to get care for pregnancy complications took their stories to court, and Congress gears up to — maybe — do something about prescription drug prices. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join Julie Rovner, KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Meena Seshamani, the top administrator for the federal Medicare program.
Viewpoints: Administrative Burden Makes Care Overly Difficult; How To Solve Obesity
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine these public health topics.
Criminal Group Accused Of Hacking Health Data Of 1.2 Million In Florida
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Tampa General Hospital says the stolen data includes Social Security numbers. Also in Florida, a judge is sending disabled children home for care after the state kept them in institutions.
Study: Hospitals Made Profits During Covid, Counter To Industry Narrative
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
New research shows that operating margins rose during the pandemic in most hospitals studied, leading to questions if federal aid was too generous or misdirected. Meanwhile, hospitals are struggling to profit from CAR-T cancer drugs.
UN Warns Brain Implants Must Not Violate Human Rights
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
The UN’s ethical framework for neurotechnology includes warnings that tech should be regulated to ensure human rights lines aren’t crossed. And as Elon Musk’s Neuralink prepares for human trials, a regulator said it found no animal research violations at the company.
As Teen Mental Health Worsens, Study Links School Year To Suicide Risks
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Researchers find that suicide risks for kids and teens rise during the school year. A separate study shows an increase in hospitalizations and ER visits for suicide attempts and ideation rose among children and teens from 2016 to 2021. In other mental health news: loneliness, cognitive decline, and dementia.
Juul Seeks FDA Authorization For New Vape That Aims To Curb Underage Use
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Juul is applying for FDA approval of its new high-tech vaporizer that prevents unauthorized refills and uses an app to restrict underage access.
Never A Sniffle: Scientists Find Genetic Hints Behind Covid Symptom-Dodging
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on fascinating research into why about 1 in 5 people who contract covid experience no symptoms, even as others suffer aftereffects for months. It may all be linked to a particular gene. Separately, scientists link obstructive sleep apnea to severe covid.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, July 20, 2023
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Texas women testify on abortion, heat wave costs, Medicaid unwinding, covid origins, vaping, teen mental health, and more are in the news.
HHS Funding To Wuhan Lab Suspended Following Safety Review
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration has halted federal research funds to the Wuhan Institute Of Virology after a months-long safety and security review of the lab at the center of covid origins questions.
CMS Orders Some States To Pause Medicaid Redeterminations
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Concern over a higher than anticipated number of Medicaid beneficiaries losing coverage over issues outside of eligibility has prompted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to review state processes for federal requirement violations — but so far it’s not penalizing any states.
House Panel Marks Up Slew Of Health Care Bills
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
The House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced 15 bills funding and shaping policy for federal agencies like the CDC and FDA as well as issues like telehealth, opioids, and pandemic preparedness. The Senate HELP Committee will mark up its health package starting on July 26.
US Heat Waves Significantly Increase Health Care Costs: Study
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
A study ties summer heat events with significantly inflated health care costs, to the tune of about $1 billion each year, and that number is expected to only rise. As extreme heat hits parts of the U.S., the WHO urged governments to keep watch for those most at risk.
Texas Women Denied Abortions Testify Dramatically Against State Ban
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover the emotional testimonies of Texan women who were denied abortions, in a case challenging the state’s strict abortion ban. One women vomited on the stand while discussing her baby’s fatal birth defect. CNN reports on a link to abortion bans and rising infant mortality.