Approval Of Drug For Friedreich’s Ataxia Could Open Door For Other Researchers Of Rare Illnesses
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 1, 2023
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Insulin pricing, RSV vaccine, SNAP, possible Medicaid cuts, overdoses, maternal health, ransomware, and more are in today’s news.
Lilly Slashing Price Of Insulin By 70%, Will Cap Monthly Costs At $35
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The company said the changes take effect immediately and include two of its most popular drugs, Humalog and Humulin. The move comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech last month that pressed for the $35 monthly cap to be expanded beyond Medicare to include every diabetes patient.
Missouri, Mississippi Advance Bills To Expand Postpartum Medicaid Benefits
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
House committees in both states moved bills forward that would provide additional Medicaid coverage to qualifying people for 12 months after giving birth. The Hill reports on efforts in 28 states to offer additional postpartum benefits.
Covid Vaccine Maker Novavax Warns It May Go Out Of Business
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The covid vaccine maker “raised doubts” about its business future, Reuters reports, even as it works toward a fall vaccination campaign. Meanwhile, news outlets report on the increasing spread of omicron covid, how structural brain changes link to long covid symptoms like fatigue, and more.
Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine Becomes First To Gain FDA Panel’s Recommendation
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the vote by an FDA panel, which assessed Pfizer’s data on the safety and effectiveness of Pfizer’s vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus. The panel concluded it was safe for adults 60 and over. The FDA is set to make a formal decision on the drug soon.
FDA Cracking Down On Illegal Import Of Xylazine Amid Spike In Overdoses
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
The action allows for the detainment of shipments of the veterinary tranquilizer and the ingredients used to make it, CBS News reported. Xylazine, also known as “tranq” or “zombie drug” because it causes “patches of dead and rotting tissue,” has exacerbated the nation’s opioid crisis and has been found in samples from 32 states, The Washington Post says.
Biden Says ‘Health Care Hangs In The Balance’ Of GOP’s Budget Cut Plans
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
In a speech Tuesday, President Joe Biden pressured Republicans to release their plans to cut government spending, which are expected to target Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. And in another preview of the 2024 presidential race, Donald Trump is warning his party against touching Medicare.
Millions Face ‘Hunger Cliff’ As Pandemic Food Stamp Program Expires
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
It’s estimated that tens of millions of low-income Americans on SNAP will lose about $95 a month for groceries, at a time when food prices are already high. States, food banks, and assistance groups have been scrambling to prepare for the onslaught of people who could struggle with hunger, especially kids, older Americans, and those with chronic illnesses.
This Dental Device Was Sold to Fix Patients’ Jaws. Lawsuits Claim It Wrecked Their Teeth.
By Brett Kelman and Anna Werner, CBS News
March 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A dental device called AGGA has been used on about 10,000 patients without FDA approval or proof that it works. In lawsuits, patients report irreparable harm. The AGGA’s inventor and manufacturer have denied all liability in court.
States May See Your Reproductive Data Through FBI Sharing Hubs, Dems Warn
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports that Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) expressed concern in a letter Monday evening that FBI and Department of Homeland Security resources could be used to help undermine access to reproductive care.
First Edition: March 1, 2023
March 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Biden Promises to Fight GOP on ‘Gutting’ Medicaid. Budget Talks Seem Like Another Story.
By Michael McAuliff
March 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As many lower-income Americans prepare to lose pandemic-era access to Medicaid, President Joe Biden vowed to stop Republicans from making deeper cuts to lower the national debt. Other changes may still be up for discussion.
Idaho Dropped Thousands From Medicaid in the Pandemic’s First Years
By Rachana Pradhan
March 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The removals, detailed in emails between state and federal health officials, hinged on disagreements over how states could disenroll people during the public health emergency. Consumer advocates fear the alleged violation signals the mess to come on April 1, when the pandemic-era Medicaid coverage mandate ends.
Trabajadores comunitarios persuaden a inmigrantes mayores de tener cobertura de salud
By Claudia Boyd-Barrett, California Health Report
February 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Hasta octubre, el mes más reciente para el que hay disponibles datos, más de 300,000 adultos mayores inmigrantes que no tienen residencia legal se habían inscrito en el Medi-Cal completo, un 30% más que la proyección original del estado.
Different Takes: The Latest On How Covid May Have Originated; Why Are Covid Booster Rates So Low?
February 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss the latest on covid’s origin, covid boosters and masking.
FDA: Pfizer RSV Vaccine Could, Very Rarely, Cause Guillain-Barre Syndrome
February 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Food and Drug Administration has reportedly linked the rare neurological condition to Pfizer’s respiratory syncytial virus vaccine — in the Phase 3 trial, two people in their 60s, out of roughly 20,000 total recipients, were diagnosed, though both are recovering. Also: risks of fitness trackers, stem cell treatments, and more.
Health Provider Offers Free Care To People Affected By Ohio Train Incident
February 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Fox News says Florida-based The Wellness Company, a virtual provider of “health care, supplements and wellness services” will offer free medical care for those affected by the toxic train derailment. A House committee will probe the EPA’s response to the incident, Reuters says.
Federal Judge Rules Against ER Boarding For NH Mental Health Patients
February 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
New Hampshire’s use of hospital emergency departments for beds for mental health patients amounts to “illegal seizure” of hospital property, New Hampshire Public Radio reports. Meanwhile, North Carolina Health News covers impacts of mental health worker shortages.