Study: Clinicians Take On Heftier Role When Private Equity Buys A Practice
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
A study examining the impact of private equity acquisitions of physician practices finds that nurse practitioners and physicians assistants are relied on more heavily and that patient churn is higher. Researchers found no difference in physician counts though. Other health personnel news reports on hospital volunteers, OB-GYN standards, and striking nurses.
Connecticut Expands Medicaid To Children Of All Immigrants
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, in New York City, officials defended legislation designed to charge municipal retirees who don’t opt into the Medicare Advantage plan for coverage. Other news from across the country covers covid deaths in Orange County, rural Latinx violence survivors, marijuana sales in Connecticut, and more.
Too Many And Too Explicit: Most People Want Drug Ads Off The Airways
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
A survey dives into objections that people cite to prolific drug advertising, including overall volume, repetitive airings, and the narrations of “heinous” side effects or age-inappropriate health matters. Also in industry news is the cost of the newly approved Alzheimer’s drug.
Brain-Computer Interface Found Safe, Can Work For Paralyzed Patients
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico reports on successes declared by Synchron, a company researching systems for paralyzed patients to connect to computers via direct implants into veins in the brain. Separately, the New York Times explains how AI technology is used to compute new human protein models.
2 Million Calls, Messages To 988 Mental Health Helpline In First Six Months
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
“The call volume is, in some instances, well beyond what we anticipated,” Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, assistant secretary for mental health and substance use in the Department of Health and Human Services, told the AP. Also in the news: a rise in mental health telemedicine, severe strep infections among kids, possible lead exposure to kids living near airports, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 10, 2023
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Monday’s roundup covers health workers, covid, Congress’ early health moves, mental health, Alzeimer’s, brain-computer interfaces, and more.
FDA Head Unsurprised By Aduhelm Approval Investigation
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
The controversial fast-track FDA approval of Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm prompted a congressional investigation, and now FDA commissioner Robert Califf is said to not disagree with its findings. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal says the FDA is increasingly halting experimental human trials.
Meet The Lawmakers Taking Over Health Power Slots
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets spotlight the people who will shape health care policy in the new Congress. And with split control of the Senate and House, deeper budget cuts are anticipated that will likely have particular impact on health programs.
Good News From Planet Earth: As Chemicals Decline, Ozone Is Healing
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Progress with the ozone layer offers promise for combatting climate change, scientists say. Separately, Bloomberg reports on moves the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is considering related to gas stoves, amid worries they can cause detrimental health impacts.
White House Lays Groundwork For What Could Be Last Renewal Of Covid Emergency
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
With covid again surging, the Biden administration will extend the public health emergency this week. But it could be for the last time — a decision that would have a cascade effect across insurance programs and other public health initiatives. In Congress, House Republicans are using their new majority to launch pandemic-related probes.
House Republicans Aim For Votes On Three Anti-Abortion Measures
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
One of the planks of the Republicans’ plan includes new rules allowing fast-tracking of legislation permanently banning federal funding of abortion. Separately, it’s still unclear how abortion pills will be available at retail pharmacies, and what prices will be charged.
First Edition: January 10, 2023
January 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Behavioral Telehealth Loses Momentum Without a Regulatory Boost
By Darius Tahir
January 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As flexible treatment options spurred by the covid pandemic wane, patients relying on medications classified as controlled substances worry that without action to extend the loosened rules, it’ll be harder to get their meds.
Hospitals’ Use of Volunteer Staff Runs Risk of Skirting Labor Laws, Experts Say
By Lauren Sausser
January 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Hospitals using volunteers is commonplace. But some labor experts argue that deploying unpaid workers to do work that benefits the organization’s bottom line lets for-profit hospitals skirt federal labor laws, deprives employees of work, and potentially exploits the volunteers.
En cárceles de Pennsylvania, guardias utilizan gas pimienta y pistolas paralizantes para controlar a personas con crisis de salud mental
By Brett Sholtis, WITF
January 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
En muchos casos, los guardias utilizaron armas, como pistolas paralizantes y aerosoles de pimienta, para controlar y doblegar a presos con condiciones psiquiátricas graves que podrían haberles impedido seguir órdenes, o entender lo que estaba sucediendo.
House Republicans Expected To Put ‘Born-Alive’ Bill High On Agenda
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
With the speakership fight finally settled, House Republicans are expected to move on anti-abortion bills. Separately, the FDA chief talks to Stat about new rules around abortion pills. And access and laws from the states are also in the news.
New Laws In Utah, Other States Aim At Restricting Trans Health Care
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on a number of efforts across the states to limit gender-affirming health care for transgender people, with Republican lawmakers “zeroing-in on questions of bodily autonomy,” as the AP reports. Laws targeting LGBTQ+ matters in Texas are also in the news.
Nurse Strike In New York City: Thousands May Participate
January 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets note that although headway has been made with contracts for some unions, thousands of NYC nurses may strike today, against what they say are unsafe staffing levels. The “essential” designation for U.S. hospitals, and how it plays into federal funding, is among other industry news.