Vaccine Breakthroughs May Help Beat Tuberculosis, Which Still Kills
March 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on promising innovations in the fight against TB, with a vaccine that can be freeze-dried and stored at higher temperatures for months, and early progress with mRNA vaccines. NPR reminds us the disease, which sometimes seems a “relic” of the past, still kills 1.6 million yearly.
26% Of Parents Lied About Kids’ Covid Status, Survey Finds
March 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
If a child tests positive for covid but the parent tells nobody, do they really have covid? A study published Monday showed 26% of parents lied about their child’s covid status, and 20% allowed them to break quarantine. Moderna’s shot pricing and fading booster protection are also in the news.
NYC Mayor: Covid Masks Should Be Briefly Doffed At Store Doorways
March 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
The confusing guidance, given that until recently Mayor Eric Adams urged shoppers to wear face masks, is due to security: The New York Times says there’s a worry masked individuals at doors may “plan to rob the place.” Meanwhile, in Arkansas, Tyson workers sue over lack of covid protections.
Texas Sued Over Abortion Ban By 5 Women Denied The Procedure
March 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
It’s the first legal challenge filed by individuals against abortion bans allowed since Roe v. Wade was struck down, according to the abortion-rights group backing the litigants. The New York Times reports on the 91-page court filing in which the women allege “substantial harm.”
Walgreens To Dispense Abortion Pill Where It Can Legally; California To Cut Business Ties
March 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Following a wave of political criticism, Walgreens clarified its position on selling abortion medication Mifepristone, saying its pharmacies would do so wherever “legally permissible.” California Gov. Gavin Newsom, meanwhile, said that his state would stop doing business with Walgreens over the issue.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 7, 2023
March 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Biden’s Medicare solvency plan, Walgreens and abortion pills, parents lying about covid, masks, TB, weight loss, and more are in the news.
First Edition: March 7, 2023
March 7, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Covid Aid Papered Over Colorado Hospital’s Financial Shortcomings
By Markian Hawryluk
March 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Financial pitfalls at the nation’s highest-elevation hospital serve as a cautionary tale as rural hospitals emerge from the pandemic on shaky ground.
Biden Administration Urged to Take More Aggressive Steps to Relieve Medical Debt
By Noam N. Levey
March 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Consumer and patient advocates push for new federal rules to protect Americans from debt collectors and force hospitals to make financial assistance more accessible.
For Young People on Medicare, a Hysterectomy Sometimes Is More Affordable Than Birth Control
By Gina Jiménez
March 7, 2023
KFF Health News Original
While Medicare was designed as health insurance for those 65 and older, it also covers people with disabilities who are young enough to still get pregnant. Yet they often struggle to get their birth control covered and end up with large medical bills — or instead opt for hysterectomies or tubal ligations, which Medicare sometimes will cover.
Hospitales rurales aplican a nuevo programa federal para intentar sobrevivir
By Sarah Jane Tribble
March 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Más de 140 hospitales rurales han cerrado en todo el país desde 2010, y observadores de políticas de salud no están seguros de cuántas de las más de 1,700 instalaciones rurales elegibles para la nueva designación aplicarán a un nuevo programa.
Envíos ilegales de medicamentos por correo no son de opioides. Muchos contienen Viagra genérico
By Phil Galewitz
March 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los funcionarios de la FDA afirman que los medicamentos comprados en farmacias extranjeras tienen 10 veces más probabilidades de ser falsificados que los vendidos en Estados Unidos.
Watch: Walgreens Won’t Sell Abortion Pill in 21 States Under GOP Threat of Legal Action
By Sarah Varney
March 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Under pressure from Republican attorneys general, the nation’s second-largest pharmacy chain says it will not dispense the abortion pill mifepristone.
Florida GOP-Led Laws Target Gender Studies, Trans School Kids, Educators
March 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Florida legislators have proposed new laws that would force teachers to use students’ birth-assigned pronouns, ban college gender studies majors, and widen a ban on teaching children about gender and sexuality, The Washington Post says.
Law Change Means Some Colorado Psychologists Can Prescribe Drugs
March 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Colorado Sun, explaining the law signed Friday by Gov. Jared Polis, notes that psychologists in the state have to obtain an additional two-year degree to qualify. The goal is to increase access to mental health care. Also: prisoner suicides in California, how stressful Houston is for workers, and more.
Death From Brain-Eating Amoeba Leads To Florida Water Warning
March 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
A death linked to a Naegleria fowleri infection has led to a warning to the roughly 200,000 residents of Charlotte County to avoid washing their face with tap water. Separately, worries over Legionnaires’ disease in Las Vegas, spiking cases of norovirus, and more are in the news.
Mississippi Hospital Ends Birth Services, Joins List Of Closed Facilities
March 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports the Singing River Gulfport hospital will suspend labor and delivery services April 1 due to a lack of obstetricians, adding to a list of closed birthing centers and newborn intensive care facilities in a state that has the nation’s highest fetal mortality rate.
Morning Briefing for Monday, March 6, 2023
March 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Obesity and diabetes on the rise, heart health, cancer news, masking, abortion access, dementia risks, and more are in today’s news.