Universal MRNA Flu Vaccine In Clinical Trials
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Also, the WHO warns against artificial sweeteners, and Philips says the vast majority of its recalled sleep apnea products are “unlikely to result in an appreciable harm to health in patients.”
Study: Masking Against Covid At Medical Facilities Is Wise
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Even after the lifting of the covid pandemic emergency, a study published Monday says that masks in medical offices are still a good idea. Meanwhile, a report in the Los Angeles Times notes that reductions of covid data reporting are making it hard to know how much covid is in your community.
CDC Warns Mpox Not Over And Is Spreading Person-To-Person
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminded doctors Monday that the mpox outbreak is not over. The agency is expected to soon reveal mpox vaccine effectiveness data. Separately, the case history of a fatal mpox case in Maryland is published.
Judges Set To Hear Appeal Challenging Mifepristone Restrictions
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports three conservative court judges who will hear arguments May 17 challenging recent abortion pill limits each have “a history of supporting restrictions on abortion.” Meanwhile, in North Carolina the GOP is planning a swift override of the governor’s veto of a 12-week abortion ban.
Medicaid Work Requirements Still Part Of Debt Discussions
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Republicans appear to be holding firm on wanting work requirements for Medicaid recipients as a condition for raising the debt ceiling. Other impacts of the United States defaulting on its loans are discussed.
Appeals Court Pauses An ACA Rollback
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
The decision temporarily blocks a lower court decision that stopped health plans from covering some preventive health care. In other news, President Joe Biden nominates National Cancer Institute Director Monica Bertagnolli to fill the long-vacant director slot at the National Institutes of Health.
First Edition: May 16, 2023
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Rural County’s Choice: Use Opioid Funds to Pay Off Debt, or Pay Them Forward to Curb Crisis
By Aneri Pattani
May 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Greene County, Tennessee, so far has received more than $2.7 million from regional and national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. But most of the money is not going to help people and families harmed by addiction.
Michael Milken Wants to Speed Up Cures
By Mark Kreidler
May 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In his new book, “Faster Cures,” the former “junk bond king,” now a philanthropist, promotes business principles as catalysts for medical breakthroughs.
Health Regulators Bar California Hospital From Treating Sickest Kids
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Dozens of wide-ranging, serious issues in the John Muir Medical Center’s pediatric intensive care unit led to the barring of the hospital from treating some of the state’s sickest children. Also in the news: a Texas vote to bar trans care for minors, a rise in accidental ODs in San Francisco, and more.
Study: Remote Work Is Putting Pressure On Parents’ Mental Health
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study says even though remote work is praised for a better work life balance, it’s taking a toll on some parents’ mental health. About 1 in 4 people say they sometimes go days without leaving their own house. Remote worker day drinking and drug use is also reported.
Cases In Chicago And France Stir Worries Of An Mpox Resurgence
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post notes that “small clusters” of infections have been found in people who were already vaccinated against mpox. Meanwhile, a dangerous heat wave is expected to continue along the West Coast; how a lab error led to a recall of salad greens over health concerns; and more.
Insurers Demand Prior Authorization For Colonoscopies
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
UnitedHealthcare requiring prior authorization will make it more difficult for patients to get endoscopic procedures. Cancer diagnostics and surveillance make up roughly half of the colonoscopies that gastroenterologists perform. In other health industry news, workers at five HCA Healthcare facilities in California have authorized a strike, and more hospitals are adding private police forces.
End of Pandemic Emergency Affects Care For Homeless Veterans
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Pandemic-related powers that allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand support services for homeless veterans have been cut. In other news, scientists find that rare cases of myocarditis in young men were caused not by antibodies produced by the covid vaccine, but by the body’s natural immune response to the vaccine.
Debt-Limit Talks Continue
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Social Security recipients are warned a debt default could interrupt their payments.
FDA Blocks 10 E-Cigarette Companies’ Sales
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The FDA blocked them from marketing or distributing 6,500 flavored e-liquid and e-cigarette products. The FDA also approved a once-a-day menopause drug. In a split vote, an advisory panel to the agency recommended the FDA approve the first gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
North Carolina Abortion Law Vetoed; Override Battle Looms
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Republicans in the state legislature believe they have the votes to override the governor’s veto, but the vote in the House could be close. Other news on abortion includes Nikki Haley saying a national abortion ban is unrealistic and the Montana Supreme Court ruling advanced-practice nurses can continue to provide abortion care.