First Edition: Nov. 16, 2022
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Watch: As Health Costs Spike, the Role of Hospitals Often Gets Overlooked
November 16, 2022
KFF Health News Original
A new documentary, “InHospitable,” explores how disputes between big hospitals can leave patients with few options for care and imperil their health.
How Optimism Can Close the Medicaid Coverage Gap
By Phil Galewitz and Daniel Chang
November 16, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Low-income residents in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid are in a tough spot: They don’t qualify for the subsidies that people with slightly higher incomes get to buy marketplace plans because of a glitch in the federal health law. But a court decision last year makes it easier for them to make good-faith estimates of a pay increase, and there is no financial penalty if they don’t hit that figure.
The Player-Coaches of Addiction Recovery Work Without Boundaries
By Rae Ellen Bichell
November 16, 2022
KFF Health News Original
States, tribes, and local governments are figuring out how best to spend billions of dollars from an opioid lawsuit settlement. One option they’re considering is funding peer support specialists, who guide people recovering from addiction as they do it themselves.
Pacientes se quejan de que algunas startups de atención de la obesidad ofrecen píldoras… y no mucho más
By Darius Tahir
November 15, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Muchos estadounidenses han recurrido a la última gran idea para perder peso; ya sean dietas de moda, la obsesión por el fitness, hierbas y píldoras poco fiables o la cirugía bariátrica. Parece que nunca acaban siendo la solución mágica con la que la gente sueña.
RSV Pressures On Michigan Hospitals Lead To Calls For Bailout Aid
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
Crain’s Detroit Business reports on the pressures that Michigan Health and Hospital Association is under, including financial ones and the rising burden of kids with RSV. Meanwhile, in California a child aged under five has died of a combined flu and RSV infection.
Walmart Agrees To Pay $3.1 Billion To Settle Opioid Lawsuits
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
The retail giant reiterated that it “strongly disputes” allegations that its pharmacies improperly filled prescriptions for the painkillers and did not admit liability with the settlement plan. Other pharmaceutical news is on drug imports from Canada, a new treatment for advanced ovarian cancer, how a fake tweet sparked a panic at Eli Lilly, and more.
Electronic Messages To Cleveland Clinic Providers Could Prompt $50 Bills
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
Patients’ insurance companies might soon be billed for messages that take five minutes or more to answer. Separately, staffing shortage news is from Indiana and Texas.
Covid Is Sending More Infants Under 6 Months Old To Hospital
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
The situation prompted CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky to urge mothers to get vaccinated in order to protect youngsters not yet eligible for shots. Separately, a study shows rapid home tests aren’t very sensitive to omicron covid.
Study: Moderna’s Bivalent Shot Offers Strong Protection Against Variants
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
The findings did not clarify whether the updated shot offers better protection than its original jab. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden repeated his vow Monday that Americans will need to get only one covid booster shot each year.
Democrats Likely Won’t Have Enough Votes To Codify Abortion, Biden Admits
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
The Democratic Party doesn’t appear to have gained enough ground in the House of Representatives to ensure passage of a national right to abortion, the president said Monday.
CDC, Army Remove From Apps Russian Code Cloaked As American
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
Reuters found that tech company Pushwoosh is Russian, though it presents itself as based in the U.S. Its computer code is used in thousands of apps, including 7 by the CDC. The health agency says that code has been removed over the security concerns.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, November 15, 2022
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
Tuesday’s roundup covers a population milestone, midterms fallout, covid boosters, child hospitalizations, mental health, and more.
Longer Lifespans Drive Global Population To 8 Billion
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
Over the last 12 years, the tally jumped from 7 billion to 8 billion, the United Nations announced. This “milestone in human development” is attributed to improved access to health care, food, and more sanitary living conditions, though dropping birth rates are expected to slow the future pace.
Life May Seem Normal, But Our Mental Health Might Have Missed The Memo
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
Some people never quite shook off the anxiety and blues that spiked during the height of the pandemic. Doctors say covid depression is real and shouldn’t be ignored as the pandemic drags on and people return to their new version of normal.
Small And Premature Babies Benefit From Skin-To-Skin Contact: WHO
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
New guidelines from the World Health Organization point to benefits of skin contact with caregivers for low weight or early babies, rather than being immediately placed in an incubator — called “kangaroo mother care.” Also in the news, a link with artificial light during sleep and diabetes risk.
First Edition: Nov. 15, 2022
November 15, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicare Plan Finder Likely Won’t Note New $35 Cap on Out-of-Pocket Insulin Costs
By Susan Jaffe
November 15, 2022
KFF Health News Original
In August, Congress approved a $35 cap on what seniors will pay for insulin, but that change came too late to add to the online tool that helps Medicare beneficiaries compare dozens of drug and medical plans. Federal officials say beneficiaries who use insulin will have the opportunity to switch plans after open enrollment ends Dec. 7.
Patients Complain Some Obesity Care Startups Offer Pills, and Not Much Else
By Darius Tahir
November 15, 2022
KFF Health News Original
A new wave of obesity care startups offer access to new weight loss medications. But do they offer good health care?