Humana To Shut Most Of Its SeniorBridge Home Care Facilities
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
In other news, the CEO of North Star Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, has stepped down; a large nursing home in Concord, California, has agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle claims over abuse and neglect of patients; a new medical facility will open in Ohio on Dec. 6; and more.
Covid Mortality Rates For Young People Worse In 2021 Than 2020: Study
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
Research reported in CIDRAP may suggest that younger people had lower vaccination rates and were worse at sticking with covid rules than older adults in the U.S. In other news, toxic chemicals in the blood may be linked to myocarditis risks after covid vaccines.
CDC To Award Over $3B To Reinforce Public Health System
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
The money is aimed at strengthening the public health work force and infrastructure after the stresses of the pandemic, Reuters reports. In other news, a study found that covid screenings at hospital entries weren’t very helpful despite the considerable cost.
Fetal Remains Must Be Again Cremated Or Buried In Indiana: Court
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
An earlier ruling blocked a 2016 law requiring providers bury or cremate fetal remains, including from abortions, but a federal appeals court has now overturned that. Meanwhile, in North Dakota, a state attorney has asked the state Supreme Court to strike down a block of an abortion ban.
Rates Of Americans Dying By Gun At Highest Levels In 3 Decades
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
Gun death rates have been steadily on the rise every year since 2005, a new study finds, with a 20% spike from 2019 to 2020.
For Those 65 And Up, Drug Overdose Deaths Have More Than Tripled
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
A separate report found that from 2019-20, alcohol abuse among seniors increased more than 18%.
Babies May Need Fewer Antibiotics For EOS Than Previously Thought; Drug May Eradicate Sleeping Sickness
November 30, 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, November 30, 2022
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
Wednesday’s roundup covers misinformation on Twitter, covid, Alzheimer’s drug, overdoses, gun deaths, abortion law, mental health, and more.
Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug May Slow Memory Loss; Needs More Safety Study
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
Stage 3 clinical trials of lecanemab, a drug developed by Eisai and Biogen, appeared to slow down losses of memory and thinking by 27% in trial patients with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Researchers say that further study of potential serious adverse effects is needed.
Spreading Covid Misinformation On Twitter No Longer Banned
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
Elon Musk’s Twitter has stopped all efforts to monitor and catch disinformation about covid or vaccines posted on its social media platform, according to an update of its policies.
First Edition: Nov. 30, 2022
November 30, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Start With Research
By Melba Newsome
November 30, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Improving lung cancer outcomes in Black communities will take more than lowering the screening age, experts say. Disparities are present in everything from the studies that inform when people should get checked to the availability of care in rural areas.
A New Use for Dating Apps: Chasing STDs
By Darius Tahir
November 30, 2022
KFF Health News Original
For contact tracers of sexually transmitted diseases, telephones and text messages have become ineffective. Dating apps increasingly are their best bet for informing people of their exposure risks.
Viewpoints: Should There Be Age Limits For Doctors?; We Need Higher Standards For Maternal Mortality
November 29, 2022
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss aging in doctors, the renaming of monkeypox to “mpox,” preventable maternal deaths and more.
Telemedicine Abortions Allowed In Kansas As Judge Blocks Ban
November 29, 2022
Morning Briefing
Shawnee County District Court Judge Teresa Watson granted a preliminary injunction Wednesday that blocked enforcement of a Kansas law banning telemedicine abortions. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Kaiser Permanente says it will offer more abortion services because of long waits at clinics.
Protections At Stake In Medicaid Case To Be Decided By Supreme Court
November 29, 2022
Morning Briefing
Stateline explores what’s at stake in the case heard earlier this month by the Supreme Court that could curtail or narrow legal protections for Medicaid beneficiaries. Other Medicaid news is reported out of New Mexico, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia.
To Protect Substance Abuse Patients, HHS Looks At Records Privacy
November 29, 2022
Morning Briefing
Axios reports on how efforts to marry HIPAA with CARES Act standards could prevent providers unknowingly prescribe opioids for those with a history of addiction. Plans for old opioid disposal, plus stemming the flow of chemicals from India for making fentanyl, and more, are also in the news.
Trans Care Lawsuit In Illinois Could Impact Insurer-Employer Relationship
November 29, 2022
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports on a legal battle between a patient and Blue Cross and Blue Shield which could affect third-party administrators’ potential liability under the ACA’s anti-discrimination provisions. Other transgender care legal matters, veteran suicides, and more are in the news.
Study: 70% Want To Age At Home, But Only 10% Have Long-Term Insurance
November 29, 2022
Morning Briefing
A study from HCG Secure/Arctos Foundation shows a disconnect between people’s plans for funding “aging in place” and the mechanisms to ensure care. Separately, Children’s Wisconsin’s is working to place a therapist in all pediatrician’s offices in Wisconsin.
Second Recipient Of Eisai/Biogen Alzheimer’s Trial Treatment Dies
November 29, 2022
Morning Briefing
Media outlets report on mounting concerns over the safety of Eisai and Biogen’s Alzheimer’s disease treatment lecanemab. Separately, Axsome Therapeutics says its drug reduces agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. Nestle and PhRMA are also in the news.