Syphilis On The Rise Among Newborns In US And Canada
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Cases of syphilis, a disease easily controlled by antibiotics, is surging among babies born in the U.S. and Canada. Separately, a new study shows that ignoring social media can actually improve your general and mental health.
J&J Again Blocked From Using Bankruptcy Move Over Talc Payouts
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A court ruled that a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary company cannot stay in bankruptcy, which was its intended strategy for dealing with tens of thousands of lawsuits over its talc products. Eye drops, cancer treatments, epidermolysis bullosa, weight loss drugs, and more are also in the news.
Biden’s Salary May Impact Battle Over Health Executive Pay
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A bid to limit hospital executives’ pay in Los Angeles may pivot on an unusual point, the Los Angeles Times reports: the pay of the president himself. Also, “float pools,” funding for community health workers, executive changes at CVS health care delivery services, UnitedHealth Group, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, April 3, 2023
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Preventive care appeal, Medicare Advantage cuts, a Medicare fund warning, “kraken” covid variant, mental health, and more are in the news.
Local Anti-Abortion Ordinances Blocked By New Mexico Supreme Court
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP explains that the legal move, in place pending the outcome of a case centered on constitutional rights, follows the state’s recent adoption of a new abortion rights bill. An “expensive” court case deciding the future of abortion in Wisconsin is also in the news.
‘Kraken’ Variant Surging In India Might Be Most Infectious Covid Strain Yet
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
World Health Organization experts say XBB.1.16 is fueling a steady rise in cases and is “one to watch.” Meanwhile, a treatment called a stellate ganglion block might help people with long covid who are suffering from loss of smell and taste.
Medicare Fund Projected To Run Out By 2031; Social Security By 2033
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
An annual report by the Boards of Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds warns that both could become insolvent within the next decade without congressional action. If the Medicare Hospital Trust Fund falls short, recipients would face automatic cuts to benefits.
CMS Eases Expected 2024 Payment Rate Cut To Medicare Advantage Insurers
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicare Advantage providers face a 1.12% average cut in next year’s reimbursement rates, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Friday — lower after intense industry lobbying than the 2.3% drop regulators had previously proposed. Additional changes aimed at combatting overbilling by providers will be phased in over a 3-year period.
Justice Department Appeals Judge’s Block Of ACA’s Free Preventive Care Measure
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
The White House said Friday that the Justice Department is appealing a Texas judge’s decision to strike down the Affordable Care Act’s requirements that insurance plans cover preventive care, such as some cancer screenings and drugs like PrEP. Meanwhile, news outlets examine the impact on public health and patients if the ruling stands.
First Edition: April 3, 2023
April 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An Arm and a Leg: A Doctor’s Love Letter to ‘The People’s Hospital’
By Dan Weissmann
April 3, 2023
Podcast
Could a charity hospital founded by a crusading Dutch playwright, a group of Quakers, and a judge working undercover become a model for the U.S. health care system? In this episode of the podcast “An Arm and a Leg,” host Dan Weissmann speaks with Dr. Ricardo Nuila to find out.
Minnesota Overhauled Substance Use Treatment. Rural Residents Still Face Barriers.
By Christina Saint Louis
April 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A recent policy change in Minnesota promotes quick evaluations and care for people with substance use disorders. But because of gaps riddling rural treatment systems nationwide, the promise of swift care isn’t reaching rural Minnesotans.
States Step In as Telehealth and Clinic Patients Get Blindsided by Hospital Fees
By Markian Hawryluk
April 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
At least eight states have implemented or are considering limits on what patients can be billed for the use of a hospital’s facilities even without having stepped foot in the building.
FDA Evaluates ‘Safety Concerns’ Over Dental Devices Featured in KHN-CBS Investigation
By Anna Werner, CBS News and Brett Kelman
March 31, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A KHN and CBS News investigation found that a dental appliance called the AGGA has been used by more than 10,000 patients, and multiple lawsuits allege it has caused grievous harm to patients.
Gunman In 2017 Las Vegas Attack Was Resentful Of How Casino Treated Him
March 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Recently released FBI documents say Stephen Paddock, 64, killed 58 people from a window of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino because he was “very upset” that high-rolling gamblers were not getting enough perks. Still, behavioral experts have found “no single or clear motivating factor” for his actions, USA Today reported.
Health Tech In Focus At ViVE Event; Google, Salesforce Invest In ER Startup
March 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare sums up news from the second week of the ViVE conference, where hot topics include AI systems like ChatGPT and data privacy and their impact on health care. Separately, Google and Salesforce have injected venture capital funds for a company called Florence, aimed at hospital emergency rooms.
During Pandemic, Doctors Signed Many More Prescriptions For ADHD
March 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
A study shows a surge of ADHD treatment prescriptions during the covid pandemic, especially among adults, with the mental health impact of the crisis possibly exacerbating symptoms. “Skinny labels,” PBM tactics, burned out pharmacists, and more are also in pharmaceutical news.
Researchers ID Covid Variants That Resist Antiviral Treatments
March 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
A study into covid virus variants spots several mutations that confer resistance to antiviral treatments like Paxlovid. The changes emerged independently around the world, and could spread. Meanwhile, Hollywood drops its covid safety measures.
North Dakota Governor, Senate Battle Over Trans Pronouns Bill
March 31, 2023
Morning Briefing
A bill that would “generally prohibit” public school teachers from using student pronouns different to that assigned at birth was vetoed by Gov. Doug Burgum, AP says. But the Senate then voted to overturn the veto. Meanwhile, in Texas an anti-trans minors’ gender care bill was modified slightly.