Halfway Through ‘Unwinding,’ Medicaid Enrollment Is Down About 10 Million
By Phil Galewitz
February 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
While more Medicaid beneficiaries have been purged in the span of a year than ever before, enrollment is on track to settle at pre-pandemic levels.
Halfway Through ‘Unwinding,’ Medicaid Enrollment Is Down About 10 Million
By Phil Galewitz
February 6, 2024
KFF Health News Original
We’re halfway through the Medicaid “unwinding,” in which states are dropping people from the government health insurance program for the first time since the pandemic began. Millions of people have been dumped from the rolls since April, often for procedural issues like failing to respond to notices or return paperwork. But at the same time, […]
Viewpoints: An Economist Is Changing The Organ Transplant Process; Can We Fix Inadequate Mental Health Care?
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine organ transplants, mental health care, abortion care, and more.
Pharmacies Finding It Hard To Recruit Next Generation Of Pharmacists
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
“We have got to evolve this to get people excited to get back in the industry,” Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens, told Axios. Separately, an analysis of injector pen patents for several widely used diabetes drugs (including Ozempic) found more than half have improperly listed patents.
Studies Document Health Impact Of Police Violence On Black Americans
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
One study reports a pattern of sleep disturbances among Black people after a police-involved killing. Separate research finds racial disparities in injuries that occurred when Tasers and similar weapons were used by police to incapacitate people.
Experts: Don’t Forget, Measles Is Actually Dangerous
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
NBC News warns that anti-vaccine activists are downplaying the dangers of measles, even though it’s a highly contagious disease. For every 1,000 measles cases, 200 kids may go to hospital and one to three may die. Meanwhile, a study found that eliminating non-medical exemptions drove up school vaccine uptake.
CMS To Tighten Rule For Organ Donations Earmarked For Research
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is responding to complaints that organ procurement organizations are collecting human pancreases to meet federal benchmarks but are not ultimately being used for research.
Some Republicans Don’t Want US To Join WHO Pandemic Treaty
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
Conservative House members are pushing back against the U.S. signing a global accord aimed at fighting future pandemic threats, arguing that American tax dollars could be used for other purposes.
Hospitals Are In Peril Left And Right
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the dire state many hospitals find themselves in. In North Carolina, Mission Hospital has been warned by CMS that it’s in “immediate jeopardy” over care deficiencies. In Western Wisconsin, two hospitals and 19 clinics will close soon. Other facilities’ woes are also in the news.
Florida Sues To Allow It To Kick Kids Off Public Health Insurance
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
The lawsuit challenges federal requirements that states let children remain eligible for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program for 12 months before reviewing their status. Separately, groups pushing for health care equity are gathering petitions for expanding Medicaid in Florida.
Publisher Retracts Studies On Abortion Pill As Supreme Court Case Looms
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
Three studies, including two on potential harms of mifepristone, were retracted by their publisher over a complaint of misleading data and that authors had affiliations with pro-life organizations. Meanwhile, Florida’s Supreme Court will hear a case Wednesday about whether the abortion ballot measure language meets state rules.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, February 6, 2024
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
Medicaid coverage, hospital finances, abortion pill studies, the next pandemic, organ donations, measles cases, and more are in the news.
First Edition: Feb. 6, 2024
February 6, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Is Housing Health Care? State Medicaid Programs Increasingly Say ‘Yes’
By Angela Hart
February 6, 2024
KFF Health News Original
States are using their Medicaid programs to offer poor and sick people housing services, such as paying six months’ rent or helping hunt for apartments. The trend comes in response to a growing homelessness epidemic, but experts caution this may not be the best use of limited health care money.
Viewpoints: VX-548 Could Be Effective In The Opioid Battle; Will More States Break Away From CDC Covid Guidance?
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle new pain killers, CDC rules, medical education and more.
Loneliness Is Officially A Public Health Crisis, Declares A California County
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
San Mateo County, which includes part of the world-famous Silicon Valley, just declared loneliness a health emergency. It’s pledged new efforts to boost social connections in the community. Also in the news: how a Minnesota city used anti-crime laws against people with mental illnesses.
Amgen Sees Successes For MariTide Weight-Loss Drug
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on a new weight-loss drug called MariTide that is showing success. Early data show it can provide longer-lasting weight loss than its rivals, and maker Amgen is testing if it can wean patients to lower or less frequent doses. Also in the news: Tirzepatide, Ozempic and more.
Ohio GOP Still Inventing Ways To Circumvent Voters On Abortion
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
An Ohio judge is hearing a case over a six-week abortion ban that is circulating through the court system even though voters approved a constitutional amendment in November that guaranteed the right to an abortion. On Friday, Republican Attorney General Dave Yost asked a judge to dismiss the case, which would effectively leave the ban in place.
Federal Appeals Court Tosses Opioid-Prescribing Doctor’s Conviction
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
The doctor had prescribed over 500,000 opioid doses in less than two years, but a federal judge threw out his conviction and ordered a new trial. Separately, reports say that less than 5% of the $50 million that Massachusetts received as opioid settlement cash has been spent on addiction-related efforts.
Morning Briefing for Monday, February 5, 2024
February 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Calling all poets! We’re looking for your best Health Policy Valentines. The winner will be featured in the Feb. 14 edition of KFF Health News’ Morning Briefing. Click here to see how to enter!
