Watch: 5th Circuit Judges Question Two-Decade-Old Approval of Abortion Pill
By Sarah Varney
May 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case brought by conservative Christian abortion opponents seeking to revoke FDA approval of mifepristone, a medication used in more than half of abortions in the U.S.
Research Roundup: Myocarditis; Mpox; Antibiotic Allergies; Covid; And More
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies.
Florida Bans Trans Care For Minors; Similar Bill Awaits Texas Governor
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Florida’s new law prohibits puberty blockers for transgender youth and creates more obstacles for trans adults. The Texas Legislature has also approved a bill that bans puberty blockers; minors who already get hormone treatment would have to wean off it, The New York Times said.
Warnings Issued About Mexican-Border Cancer Surgeries
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Five people who got treatment in Matamoros, Mexico, developed fungal meningitis. Other news from across the country includes evidence that children as young as 4 can be taught to call 911 in a medical emergency, mushroom poisonings increase, and some endurance athletes may be at risk for atrial fibrillation.
FDA Questions Intercept’s Fatty Liver Disease Treatment
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The FDA staff warned of increased risk of diabetes and liver injury from using Intercept Pharmaceuticals’ oral tablets, called obeticholic acid. In other news, Apple designs more accessibility features into its devices, and the Theranos founder must report to prison May 30.
Hospital Injuries Rose Sharply During Pandemic
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Not only did patients suffer from injuries such as pressure ulcers from being bedridden, but hospital workers suffered more injuries, too. Also, a study (with 2,000 authors!) looked at DNA’s links to the risk of developing serious illness from covid. And news about the RSV vaccine.
Drug Overdose Deaths Stop Rising But Remain High
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
The opioid crisis isn’t over, not by a long shot, according to data released by the CDC. Meanwhile, California’s legislature is taking a new approach to the fentanyl crisis by focusing on treatment, not punishment. Bills calling for an increase in punishment for dealing have been watered down or stalled.
PBMs Placed In The Crosshairs
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
While a House subcommittee advances a bill to make pharmacy benefit managers’ business more transparent, the FTC widens its probe into their impact on drug prices. Separately, some senators are probing Medicare Advantage plans.
Abortion Map Quickly Redrawn; Entire Southeast On Verge Of Blocking Care
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
South Carolina’s legislature passed a six-week ban on abortion. Meanwhile, Illinois moves to lock in its access to abortions. In other news, Donald Trump attempts to take credit for the end of Roe v. Wade (but sidesteps an answer on supporting a six-week ban).
Appeals Court Weighs Mifepristone Case
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Judges of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana appeared to be leaning toward limiting access in a hearing that Politico labeled as “surreal.”
First Edition: May 18, 2023
May 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Estafas a Medicare con pruebas para covid pueden generar otros fraudes
By Susan Jaffe
May 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
La cobertura de Medicare para las pruebas caseras de covid-19 finalizó hace pocos días, pero las estafas generadas por este beneficio temporal podrían tener consecuencias persistentes para las personas mayores.
Thousands Face Medicaid Whiplash in South Dakota and North Carolina
By Arielle Zionts
May 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Thousands of South Dakotans are being knocked off Medicaid, only to be eligible to requalify several months later. Even more enrollees are likely to experience a temporary loss of coverage in North Carolina.
A Covid Test Medicare Scam May Be a Trial Run for Further Fraud
By Susan Jaffe
May 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Before the covid-19 public health emergency ended, Medicare advocates around the country noticed a rise in complaints from beneficiaries who received at-home covid tests they never requested. Bad actors may have used seniors’ Medicare information to improperly bill the federal government — and could do it again, say federal investigators.
J&J Covid Vaccine No Longer Available In US; Advances Made In New Antibiotic Creation
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KFF Health News Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine Trials Are Promising; ‘Sick Buildings’ Need Upgraded Air Quality Systems
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss a new cancer vaccine, indoor air quality, fat phobia, and more.
Arizona Reveals Plan To Tackle Medicaid Fraud
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
The AP reports that Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and other top state officials will target group homes, which they say have defrauded the state for hundreds of millions of dollars. Separately, Missouri officials unexpectedly terminated a rule that had targeted trans care.