First Edition: July 20, 2023
July 20, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Mom Owed Nearly $102,000 for Hospital Care. Her State Attorney General Said to Pay Up.
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
July 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As politicians bash privately run hospitals for their aggressive debt collection tactics, consumer advocates say one North Carolina family’s six-figure medical bill is an example of how state attorneys general and state-operated hospitals also can harm patients financially.
Congress Considers Easing Regulations on Air Transport of Donated Organs
By Colleen DeGuzman
July 20, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A little-noticed provision of sweeping legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration would make it easier to fly human organs from donor to recipient.
¿Cuánto costará la píldora anticonceptiva de venta libre? ¿La cubrirán los seguros?
By Michelle Andrews
July 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los defensores de la salud reproductiva celebraron esta histórica aprobación como un paso que puede ayudar a millones de personas a evitar embarazos no deseados, que ocurren casi la mitad de las veces en los Estados Unidos.
Viewpoints: Approval Of Opill A Victory For Women; Climate Change Is Endangering Workers’ Health
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle over-the-counter birth control pills, climate change and its effect on our health, abortion rights, and the HPV vaccine.
Data Show More In North Carolina Were Kicked Off Medicaid Than Predicted
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
North Carolina Health news reports that the purge of Medicaid rolls has resulted in more people losing coverage than had been anticipated. Elsewhere, California will cap hundreds of “orphaned” oil wells linked to health complaints, Coloradans worry about cost of living, homelessness, and more
J&J Ordered To Pay $18.8 Million To Man Over Talc-Cancer Claims
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover a decision by a Californian jury that hit Johnson & Johnson with a $18.8 million compensation bill to a man who said in a lawsuit he developed cancer after exposure to baby powder. More access for a TB drug, big investments into drug discovery and more are also in the news.
Florida Reports Seventh Case Of Locally-Contracted Malaria
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The latest detection of malaria spreading in Florida brings the national total to 8 cases. A Florida dengue infection was also reported. Meanwhile, in San Francisco worries over a new, more dangerous strain of illegal fentanyl. Also in the news: toxic algal blooms, and more.
J&J Sues Government To Block Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Johnson & Johnson becomes the latest drug maker suing the government, saying that the Inflation Reduction Act “breaks the agreement at the heart of the patent and regulatory laws.” Meanwhile, the Biden administration is asking CVS and Walmart to help promote the law intended to lower drug costs.
Teladoc Partners With Microsoft To Use AI For Patient Visit Documentation
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The telehealth provider plans to add Microsoft’s voice-enabled generative artificial intelligence tool in order to help its clinicians document visits with patients. Also in the news: two senators propose studying potential biosecurity risks created by artificial intelligence.
Will Narrow E-Cigarette Rules Harm Smoking Cessation Progress?
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The coming FDA restrictions on menthol cigarettes and high bar for menthol e-cigarettes, paired with little federal action on smoking cessation programs, has some experts worried that progress on reducing smoking could reverse.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, July 19, 2023
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Extreme heat dangers, anti-smoking initiatives, Medicare, AI in health care, OTC birth control pills, malaria, and more are in the news.
DC Suing 25 Companies Over Forever Chemical Water Pollution
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The District of Columbia is suing the companies because low levels of PFAS “forever chemicals” have been detected in the district’s drinking water. Meanwhile, a new study links forever chemicals with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Missouri Court Hears Case On Amendment To Restore Abortion Rights
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the controversy over how much authority officials have over the initiative ballot petition process in Missouri — prompted by a new initiative to enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution, following a ban. Separately, gender and LGBTQ+ issues are also in the news.
Rise In Infectious Diseases, Preventable Deaths: The Climate Forecast On Health
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
With 3 continents baking under heat waves, Grist and AP report on the increasing trend of climate-driven illnesses. And the World Meteorological Organization warns that nations must work to avoid preventable deaths related to the heat.
Multiple New Alzheimer’s Drugs Show Promise; AI Will Help Prevent Drug-Related Birth Defects
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
The Painful Legacy of ‘Law and Order’ Treatment of Addiction in Jail
By Renuka Rayasam
July 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Efforts to improve addiction care in jails and prisons are underway across the country. But a rural Alabama county with one of the nation’s highest overdose rates shows how change is slow, while law enforcement officials continue to treat addiction as a crime rather than a medical condition.
First Edition: July 19, 2023
July 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Once the New Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Is Available, What About Cost and Coverage?
By Michelle Andrews
July 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Food and Drug Administration’s approval is viewed as groundbreaking, but many details still must be figured out.