Experts Highlight Med Schools’ Failure To Teach LGBTQ+ Care
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
NBC News reports the nation’s medical schools aren’t preparing doctors to properly care for the LGBTQ+ population. The Houston Chronicle highlights how one former health leader was part of a group of conservative doctors using questionable science to tackle abortions and trans health care.
Morning Briefing for Monday, June 26, 2023
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Birth control access, the Dobbs anniversary, covid variants, burned-out nurses, medical debt, mpox, fentanyl, and more are in the news.
Worries Of Mass Exodus As Many Burned-Out Nurses Threaten To Quit
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Almost 1 in 3 registered nurses surveyed say they’re likely to seek a different job, raising the prospect of a mass exodus from the industry. Northwell Health, Tenet Healthcare, Clover Health, and more are also in health industry news.
FDA Approves First And Only Pill For Alopecia In Teens
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
The once-daily pill from Pfizer, called Litfulo, helped about a quarter of patients regain 80% or more of hair coverage on their scalp after six months of treatment. Health experts called it a “game changer” for affected teens and their self esteem.
Utah Is A Hot Spot For Covid Variant EU.1.1
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
As the CDC tracks several new covid variants, Utah labs have reported the most EU.1.1 infections of any state, with nearly 100 cases sequenced. By contrast, Nevada and Colorado have reported cases in only the single digits. The strain is a distant descendant of the XBB.1.5 variant seen in Europe earlier this year.
‘Rage Giving’ By Abortion Rights Supporters Has Waned
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
After Roe v. Wade was overturned a year ago, abortion rights groups saw a huge influx of monetary donations from supporters, but that trend has dropped off over the last year. Abortion access news is reported from the states, as well.
Biden Signs Executive Order That Aims To Shore Up Birth Control Access
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
The order instructs federal agencies to enforce the ACA requirement that all private insurers cover all FDA-approved contraceptives and to consider new measures to broaden access to birth control. Biden signed it at one of a series of administration events marking the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision that reversed abortion rights.
First Edition: June 26, 2023
June 26, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
E-Cigs Are Still Flooding the US, Addicting Teens With Higher Nicotine Doses
By Liz Szabo
June 26, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The FDA, Justice Department, and White House have failed to act as vapes with kid-friendly flavors like cotton candy or gummy bears proliferate.
‘We’re Not Doing That’: Why a Black Couple Wouldn’t Crowdfund to Pay Off Medical Debts
By Noam N. Levey
June 26, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Kristie Fields, a cancer patient in Virginia, was urged to go public to seek financial help. She worried about feeding hurtful stereotypes.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on the morgue scandal, the health benefits of fresh air, cancer, psychedelics, and more.
Ranking Shows Massachusetts Has Best Overall Health System In US
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new data is from an annual ranking released Thursday by The Commonwealth Fund. Meanwhile, Iowa Public Radio reports that though the federal government offered states the option to expand Medicaid postpartum coverage to a year, some are turning it down.
Insurance Reimbursements To Novel Medical Device Makers May Get Easier
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
Stat reports on the potential of a program from CMS called Transitional Coverage for Emerging Technologies, which would apply to medical products deemed “breakthrough devices” by the FDA. Also in the news: an effort to change the way Medicare pays physicians.
DHS To Step Up Efforts To Intercept Fentanyl Trafficking
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post covers efforts by the Biden administration to impact the influx of illegal opioids into the U.S. Meanwhile, Axios reports that preventable deaths, including by suicide and drug overdose, increased during the pandemic. Also: AP examines Xylazine’s role in the opioid crisis.
FDA Approves First Gene Therapy For Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
In what NPR calls an “eagerly anticipated decision,” the FDA approved Thursday a treatment called Elevidys from Sarepta Therapeutics to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy by targeting the genetic defect behind it. The treatment costs $3.2 million. Also in the news: the high cost of drugs.
Moderna Already Seeking FDA Authorization For New Covid Shots
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
The drugmaker’s newest covid shots target the variant that currently dominates new covid infections in the U.S. — XBB.1.5. The FDA recently indicated that new shots for the fall should be aimed at these variants. Also in the news, how long covid can affect mental health.
3M’s Bill To Settle PFAS Water Contamination Lawsuits: $10.3 Billion
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
The company announced Thursday it will pay at least this sum to settle lawsuits over contamination of U.S. drinking water systems with potentially harmful “forever chemicals,” AP reports. Also in the news, “cancer alley” in Louisiana, Minneapolis’ poor air quality, and more.
Viewpoints: End Of Roe Has Had Negative Impact On OB-GYNs; Patient Navigator Details Difficulty After Roe
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers take a look at the effects of overturning Roe, Cost Plus Drug Co., nursing schools and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, June 23, 2023
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
How a year without Roe has shaped US health care. Plus, vaping, diabetes, new covid shots, PFAS, gene therapy, fentanyl, and weekend reads.
More In US Say They’ll Vote Only For Politicians With Same Abortion Stance
June 23, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Gallup survey, reported in The Guardian, says over a quarter of registered U.S. voters will vote only for candidates who share their beliefs on abortion, up from last year’s figure. USA Today, meanwhile, highlights how independent women are increasingly at odds with the GOP position on abortion.