Perspectives: Is CRISPR The Antidote Of The Future?
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Studies Show It Takes About 40 Days For Mpox To Clear System
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
CIDRAP reports on studies into viral clearance times for mpox, showing time between symptom onset and viral clearance in 90% of cases was around 40 days, and highest viral DNA concentrations were in the skin. Also: high blood pressure after giving birth, stress and blood pressure, and more.
Over Half Of Those Hurt, Killed In Car Crashes Had Drugs Or Alcohol In System: Study
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
AP reports on a large study into car crashes in the U.S., which found that more than half of car crash victims had one or more drugs or alcohol in their blood — THC was the most prevalent substance found. Separately, alcohol abuse costs in Massachusetts are estimated at $5.6 billion annually.
Antibiotic Resistance Is Getting Worse, WHO Report Finds
December 14, 2022
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, December 14, 2022
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
Wednesday’s roundup covers melanoma, opioid policies, long covid, RSV, flu, ambulance bills, patient privacy, mpox, antibiotics, and more.
Concerns Rise Over Health Startups Sharing Patient Data With Big Tech
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
Stat and The Markup report on what’s said to be “out of control” health data sharing. Separately, AP reports that it’s actually hard to reach New Mexico’s Medicaid providers by phone to schedule appointments.
White House Set To Tackle Ambulance Ride Surprise Bills
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on efforts to tackle unpredictable bills after taking an ambulance ride. The Biden administration is set as of January to kick off the work of a new advisory committee aimed at stopping the practice.
Maternal, Infant Death Rates Were Already Higher In States That Now Ban Abortion
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
An analysis of 2020 data finds overlap between the states with the high maternal and infant death rates with ones that have banned or restricted abortion since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June.
Covid Cases Among Veterans Have Nearly Doubled In Past Month
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
In other pandemic news, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, said he is requesting a grand jury investigation into alleged “crimes and wrongdoing” related to the covid vaccine and is also forming a state committee to counter policy recommendations from the CDC.
Biden Signs Respect For Marriage Act, Supporting Same-Sex Rights
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
The bill mandates federal recognition for same-sex marriages and stops states from denying the validity of out-of-state marriages based on sex, race, or ethnicity. The Salt Lake Tribune says Church of Latter-day Saints leaders were at the signing event, praising the law’s religious exemptions.
CDC: Long Covid Played A Part In More Than 3,500 Deaths
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
The research from the CDC is the first of its kind in the U.S. But one expert tells Stat that “the challenge is that the data they have provides only a floor of an estimate of the mortality burden of long covid.”
HHS Moves To Make Permanent Pandemic-Driven Opioid Treatment Options
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
The Department of Health and Human Services proposed a rule that would maintain opioid treatment flexibilities instituted during the covid emergency, including easier access to drugs like methadone for home use and for providers to prescribe them via telehealth.
In A First, MRNA Vaccine Effective Against Melanoma, Study Finds
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
The experimental skin cancer vaccine from Moderna, combined with Merck’s Keytruda, cut the risk of death or recurrence by 44%, the companies said Tuesday.
First Edition: Dec. 14, 2022
December 14, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
What Germany’s Coal Miners Can Teach America About Medical Debt
By Noam N. Levey
December 14, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Coal mining ended in Germany’s Saarland a decade ago, but the transition away from coal has been smoother than in West Virginia, which has more medical debt than any state in America.
States Challenge Biden to Lower Drug Prices by Allowing Imports From Canada
By Phil Galewitz
December 14, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Colorado has joined Florida, New Hampshire, and New Mexico in seeking federal permission to import prescription drugs from Canada. President Joe Biden endorsed the approach in his 2020 campaign but has yet to approve any state plan.
Supreme Court Says California’s Flavored Tobacco Ban Stands
December 13, 2022
Morning Briefing
CNBC notes that voters “overwhelmingly” approved of the ban, but the tobacco industry tried to block it — unsuccessfully now that the Supreme Court has ruled. Meanwhile, vape retailer Avail has lost its challenge to the FDA’s denial of approval to sell its products.
Don’t Soothe A Kid’s Tantrum With Screen Time, Study Warns
December 13, 2022
Morning Briefing
CNN reports on a new study showing that soothing with digital devices can lead to later issues with emotional reactivity. Separately, the Washington Post says schools are turning to telehealth solutions to tackle student mental health crises. Also: extreme weather and heart disease, flu shots, more.