Judge Blocks Graphic Warnings On Cigarettes; Store Signs Get New Rules
December 9, 2022
Morning Briefing
A federal judge in Texas ruled Wednesday that an FDA rule requiring graphic warnings on cigarette packages would violate the companies’ First Amendment rights. Separately, the Justice Department is requiring tobacco companies to warn about health dangers of smoking in store displays.
In Major Test Of Texas Law, Abortion Doctor Prevails In ‘Bounty Hunter’ Case
December 9, 2022
Morning Briefing
The law allows anyone to sue someone who “aids or abets” an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. But a San Antonio judge dismissed the case Thursday, saying the Chicago man who filed it needed proof of injury as required in Texas’ constitution.
Biden Sent Historic Bill Aimed At Protecting Same-Sex Marriage
December 9, 2022
Morning Briefing
The Respect for Marriage Act federally recognizes same-sex and interracial marriages and requires all states to recognize ones performed in another state — even if any future Supreme Court decision allows states’ bans to be reinstated. The legislation is a response to the court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in June.
House Passes Defense Bill That Lifts Military Covid Vaccine Mandate
December 9, 2022
Morning Briefing
Despite concerns raised by the Biden administration, including the Secretary of Defense, the $858 billion defense spending bill passed the House 350-80 Thursday. It next goes to the Senate, while military leaders brace for the impact of lifting the vaccine rules.
First Edition: Dec. 9, 2022
December 9, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Hospital Financial Decisions Play a Role in the Critical Shortage of Pediatric Beds for RSV Patients
By Liz Szabo
December 9, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Yes, the U.S. is experiencing an unusual spate of childhood RSV infections. But the critical shortage of hospital beds to treat ailing children stems from structural problems in pediatric care that have been brewing for years.
To Attract In-Home Caregivers, California Offers Paid Training — And Self-Care
By Laurie Udesky
December 9, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Turnover ails a program that allows low-income people who are older or disabled to age in place. To attract new workers and improve retention, the state is paying caregivers to develop new skills.
‘An Arm and a Leg’: He Made a Video About Health Insurance Terminology That Went Viral
By Dan Weissmann
December 9, 2022
KFF Health News Original
A video producer’s quest for health coverage led him to create a video about insurance terminology. That video now has over a million views. Here’s how he did it.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Congress Races the Clock
December 8, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Sen. Raphael Warnock’s re-election in Georgia will give Democrats a clear-cut Senate majority for the first time in nearly a decade. Meanwhile, the current Congress has only days left to tackle major unfinished business on the health agenda, including fending off scheduled pay cuts for doctors and other health providers in the Medicare program. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
To Beat Pediatric Nurse Shortage, Nevada Fast-Tracks Temp Licenses
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
The Las Vegas Review-Journal says the Nevada State Board of Nursing can now issue a temporary Nevada license within a couple hours to a nurse already licensed in another state. Other news is from Connecticut, Missouri, Southern California, and elsewhere.
FDA Wants Lasik Eye Surgeons To Warn Patients Of Risks
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
MSN reports on an FDA investigation into Lasik risks and an initiative to press doctors to warn patients of complications. Some eye surgeons push back, saying the FDA focused only on negative information sharing. Also: supplements and heart patients, marijuana use by drivers, and more.
Statins Have Another Trick: Decreasing Risk Of Deadliest Strokes
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
Statins are already known to be a useful tool to lower the risk of stroke due to blood clots, but now new data show they are also good at lowering risk of stroke from intracerebral hemorrhage — which CNN calls “the deadliest kind.” Other news includes new melanoma immunotherapies, and more.
Bullying Among Health Care Workers In Spotlight
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
Fox News covers a recent article from Massachusetts General Hospital on bullying and toxic workplaces in health care. Separately, a study says hospital parking fees are more than an annoyance and can impose a significant burden on patients, particularly those who have to make frequent visits.
Senate Deadlock Hits Judicial Nomination Of Abortion Rights Lawyer
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
Julie Rikelman’s nomination to the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is deadlocked in the Senate Judiciary Committee, even as the panel advanced 11 of President Joe Biden’s other judicial picks. Rikelman argued the losing side of the Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Biden Is First President To Attend National Gun Violence Vigil
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
The president again urged a ban on assault weapons. Also: Politico reports on a little-known administration initiative to curb gun violence through community intervention programs; and ABC News says doctors are trying to reframe gun violence as a major health crisis.
Help Wanted: Recruitment Tops ARPA-H Director’s Early Priorities
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
Renee Wegrzyn, director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, told Stat that hiring program managers ranks high on her list of steps needed to prove that the federal investment in the new agency will pay off.
Research Roundup: Mpox; Covid; Cancer Detection; AI In Health Care
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 8, 2022
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
Thursday’s roundup covers ACA enrollment, opioids overdoses, military vaccine mandate, abortion access, gun violence, ARPA-H, FDA, and more.
FDA Speeds Up Review Of Pfizer’s RSV Vaccine For Older Adults
December 8, 2022
Morning Briefing
But don’t get your hopes up for any help this winter: The review period likely won’t end until May. Meanwhile, as the “tripledemic” of RSV, flu, and covid wreaks havoc on hospitals nationwide, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told Roll Call that the agency is running out of ways to be creative with its limited pandemic funds.