HHS’ $5B ‘Project NextGen’ Aims To Develop New Coronavirus Shots, Drugs
May 12, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports that the majority of that funding will go to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority for public-private partnerships — similar to the Operation Warp Speed model — to create next generation covid treatments and “pan-coronavirus vaccines.”
First Edition: May 12, 2023
May 12, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Students in Rural Colorado Are Left Without Options as Specialized Schools Close
By Rae Ellen Bichell and Helen Santoro
May 12, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A new state law aims to keep the doors open at schools that accept students with intensive needs. One preteen in rural Colorado shows how the current system leaves some students bouncing between institutions far from home.
‘A System in Crisis’: Dysfunctional Federal Disability Programs Force the Poor to Pass Up Money
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
May 12, 2023
KFF Health News Original
With little or no income, disability applicants are seeking Social Security early retirement benefits even though it could cost them tens of thousands of dollars in future income, lawyers say.
AI May Be on Its Way to Your Doctor’s Office, But It’s Not Ready to See Patients
By Darius Tahir
May 12, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Giant corporations like Microsoft and Google, plus many startups, are eyeing health care profits from programs based on artificial intelligence.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The Crisis Is Officially Ending, but Covid Confusion Lives On
May 11, 2023
Podcast
The public health emergency declaration for covid-19 ends May 11, ushering in major changes in how Americans can access and pay for the vaccines, treatments, and tests particular to the culprit coronavirus. But not everyone will experience the same changes, creating a confusing patchwork of coverage — not unlike health coverage for other diseases. Meanwhile, outside advisers to the FDA formally recommended allowing a birth control pill to be sold without a prescription. If the FDA follows the recommendation, it would represent the first over-the-counter form of hormonal contraception. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week they think you should read, too.
Viewpoints: Will Your Next Therapist Be AI?; We Should Look To Serbia’s Example To Curb Gun Violence
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine AI therapy, gun violence, futile care and more.
Research Roundup: Long Covid; Dementia; DNAzyme
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies.
Buprenorphine, Effective For Opioid Addiction, Is Underprescribed: Study
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
From 2016 through 2019, little more than 20% of patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder filed prescriptions for buprenorphine, a large new study found. Media outlets note the study says underprescribing is worse for Black patients.
Mass. Court Upholds $37M Case Against Marlboro Over ‘Light’ Cigarettes
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
The highest court in the state upheld a nearly $37 million judgment won by a woman who had sued Marlboro after getting cancer after switching to Light cigarettes, which the maker claimed was safer, AP reports. Also: trans care restrictions in Missouri, drive-thru baby showers, and more.
Self-Harm Risks Highest Immediately After Antidepressant Drug Prescription
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study of more than 8.4 million electronic health records showed that right after a prescription of antidepressants is given is when patients are at highest risk of self-harm, Axios reports. Separately, research found that uncontrolled sleep apnea may be linked to future brain damage.
Drug Company Of ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli Files For Bankruptcy
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Vyera Pharmaceuticals, founded by Martin Shkreli, filed for bankruptcy Tuesday as a result of declining profits. In other pharmaceutical news, the White House has been quietly working on tackling drug shortages and quality matters since the start of 2023.
Envision Healthcare Will File For Bankruptcy
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports Envision has been hit by soaring labor costs and multiple legal disputes with UnitedHealth Group. Separately, reports say increasing financial losses are driving Babylon Health to be taken private. An $18 million donation to Maine hospitals is among other news.
MRNA Vaccine For Pancreatic Cancer Shows Early Promise
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
A small-scale trial saw an immune response provoked in half of the patients treated, with those people showing no relapse of their cancer during the study — something outside experts calls “extremely promising.” A peanut allergy treatment is also in the news.
Human Genome Reference Map Updated To Better Model Diversity
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report that scientists have unveiled the human “pangenome,” a new reference map for the human genome that better reflects the rich diversity of the global population. Separately, a breakthrough resulted in the first babies being born in Britain with DNA from three people.
Insulin Makers And PBMs Each Blame The Other Over Price Hikes
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Executives for Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi as well as those from top PBMs faced questions from senators on the HELP committee Wednesday. All fell back on standard tactics of pointing the finger of responsibility for high insulin drug prices on the other side. Chair Bernie Sanders asked them to pledge to not increase prices further, which most resisted.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 11, 2023
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
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Vermont Enacts Nation’s First Law Protecting Medication Abortion Access
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Elsewhere: Nevada advances a bill to codify abortion rights into the state constitution; North Carolina’s governor tries to stave off an override of his expected veto of a more restrictive abortion ban; and Louisiana lawmakers reject efforts to add rape and incest exceptions to its ban.
FDA Advisers Back Approval Of First OTC Birth Control Pill In US
May 11, 2023
Morning Briefing
Two advisory panels voted unanimously in support of the FDA allowing Opill, a progestin birth control pill produced by HRA Pharma, to be sold in the U.S. without a prescription. An FDA decision, which is not required to follow the advisers’ recommendations, is expected this summer.