Physician Shortages Hit Rural America; Many Michigan Nurses Want To Quit
April 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
CBS News reports on how ongoing staffing shortages are affecting care in rural America — where few residency programs exist. Crain’s Detroit Business, separately, says a survey shows 40% of Michigan hospital nurses want to quit. And Stat covers five startups that aim to solve the staffing crisis.
Report: Florida Knowingly Omitted Key Info About Covid Vaccine
April 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Tampa Bay Times obtained drafts of an analysis used by Florida’s surgeon general as the basis to warn young men against getting the covid vaccine. Unlike the final report, the drafts showed that catching the virus could increase the risk of a cardiac-related death much more than getting an mRNA shot, AP reported.
Iowa Halts Abortion, Contraceptive Payment Help For Rape Victims
April 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
According to AP, federal regulations and state law require Iowa to pay many of the expenses for sex assault victims who seek medical help, such as the costs of forensic exams and treatment for STIs. But Republican Attorney General Brenna Bird has paused some of those payments. Also, abortion news from Kansas, California, Idaho, Florida, and Montana.
Biden Blasts Ruling As ‘Ideological’ Attack; Dems Consider Ignoring It
April 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Legal experts say that although the Texas judge’s decision suspends FDA approval of mifepristone, it does not actually force the FDA to enforce the ruling. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says “everything is on the table” right now, but some Republicans are threatening to defund the FDA if the ruling isn’t enforced.
Morning Briefing for Monday, April 10, 2023
April 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Fallout over contradictory mifepristone rulings, FDA, covid, antibiotic shortages, health workers, avian flu, and more are in the news.
Dueling Decisions May Create Patchy Abortion Pill Access And Uncertain Future
April 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Two federal judges issued contradictory rulings Friday over mifepristone, 1 of 2 drugs that has been used for 20 years in the U.S. for a medication abortion. While the Justice Department said it will challenge a Texas court’s ruling ordering the FDA to vacate its approval of the drug, the cases are expected to land in the Supreme Court. News outlets explore what the current situation means for patients.
First Edition: April 10, 2023
April 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
For Uninsured People With Cancer, Securing Care Can Be Like Spinning a Roulette Wheel
By Charlotte Huff
April 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
When uninsured people are diagnosed with cancer, accessing resources and paying for treatment can be daunting. The safety nets meant to help often fall short, say cancer physicians and health policy experts who study access to care. Some patients find it easier to play the odds.
Special Medicaid Funds Help Most States, but Prompt Oversight Concerns
By Andy Miller
April 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Georgia is among 35-plus states that have used an under-the-radar federal funding mechanism to boost payments for hospitals and other providers under Medicaid. But a government watchdog and a congressional advisory commission say sparse oversight makes it hard to tell if the “directed payments” program is meeting its goals.
Abortion Clinics in Conservative-Led States Face Increasing Legal Threats
By Aaron Bolton, MTPR
April 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed federal protections for abortions, medical providers in conservative-led states have been fighting legal and political battles — as well as escalating threats from the anti-abortion movement.
Journalists Explain Impact of Texas Judge’s ACA Decision and Cuts in Federal Food Benefits
April 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on breastfeeding, conspiracy theories, psychedelics, HIV, telehealth, and more.
‘Wild West’ Of Assisted-Living Facility Policies As Seniors On Medicaid Evicted
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
A story in The Washington Post counted at least 50 Medicaid-related evictions in Wisconsin alone since the fall. Also in the news: profit opportunities in Medicaid determinations; no-cost preventative services; and more.
Texas Launches $10 Million Push To Tackle Fentanyl Crisis
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The effort includes a fentanyl awareness campaign and plan to distribute doses of Narcan to every county. Meanwhile, in Alabama, lawmakers approved harsher penalties for trafficking fentanyl. And in San Francisco, the city doubled participants of an opioid misuse treatment program.
Starbucks’ Olive Oil-Infused Drinks Are Upsetting Stomachs
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
NBC News says some customers have complained of stomach issues on social media. Separately, research shows a smart watch may be able to predict when someone has a higher risk of heart failure.
EPA Targets Toxic Pollution From Medical Device Sterilizers
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing tougher standards on pollution from several chemicals like ethylene oxide, but some in the industry are warning of potential disruption to supplies of safe medical equipment. Also: lead testing, Makena, weight loss drugs, and more.
VA Delays Rollout Of Electronic Medical Records Amid Concerns
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Department of Veterans Affairs has paused its rollout of electronic medical records to the next scheduled sites in its already-delayed program amid concerns over patient safety and other matters. Also: AI and heart health, HIPAA digital privacy, and more.
Tenn. House Expels 2 Black Lawmakers Who Protested For Tougher Gun Laws
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The move prompted immediate accusations of racism because a third House member who also participated in the protest — and who is white — was not expelled. President Joe Biden called the expulsions “undemocratic” and reiterated his pleas for an assault weapons ban.
Study Finds Covid Caused Brain Damage In 2 Infants In Utero
April 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
University of Miami researchers found what they believe to be the first two confirmed cases in which covid crossed via the placenta and caused brain damage to unborn infants, Reuters and CIDRAP report. Other research says masking-up alone did little to prevent covid spread in medical settings.