CMS Proposes Rule That Targets Rogue Brokers Switching Obamacare Plans
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released the proposed regulation Friday to update rules governing the Affordable Care Act that would enable stricter oversight of health insurance marketers. Bad actors have been switching people’s health plan enrollment without permission.
Planned Parenthood Won’t See Funds Under Trump’s Watch, Vance Vows
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
On another front in reproductive rights, Florida’s Health Department has promised legal action against a local TV network if it continues to run a campaign ad advocating for the right to abortion care. Also, longtime abortion critic Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is curiously quiet about the subject these days.
Trump Pivots On Support For Controversial Plan To Slash Drug Prices
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
Former President Donald Trump had previously promised to bring back an executive order he signed in 2020 to ensure Medicare paid no more than other developed nations for prescription drugs, but Stat reports he has now backed away from it. Also, a preview of health-related cases on the Supreme Court docket.
Hurricane Helene Predicted To Disrupt Kids’ Lives For Years To Come
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports that Helene — the deadliest hurricane since 2005’s Katrina — will likely affect tens of thousands of kids’ lives for many years. In North Carolina, there is no timeline for the reopening of Baxter’s plant, where much IV material is manufactured.
Third Human Case Of Bird Flu Suspected In California
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
Test results are pending on a worker who had contact with infected herds, California officials report. Meanwhile, federal scientists are studying H5N1 genes in dairy workers in search of mutations that may facilitate the transmission of the virus from animals to humans.
American Biologists Share Nobel Prize For Work On Discovery Of MicroRNA
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
Victor Ambros’ discovery of gene activity by microRNA in 1993 was considered an anomaly at the time. Further work by Gary Ruvkun broke the doors wide open for its study and its potential for treating cancer and other diseases.
Out Of The Trash Bin: How Cobenfy’s Unusual Journey Could Change Pharma
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bristol Myers Squibb’s schizophrenia drug, which received FDA approval last week, took a long and winding road to get there. Three decades ago, Eli Lilly developed the drug’s forerunner, xanomeline, in an attempt to treat Alzheimer’s. Could more pharma companies learn from this example?
Morning Briefing for Monday, October 7, 2024
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
Medical debt, pulse oximeters, overdose deaths, Obamacare plan-switching schemes, drug prices, Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, and more
Overdose Deaths Drop 10%, Data Show
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
Over a 12-month period ending in April, about 101,000 people died after overdosing. More news tied to opioids is about telehealth treatment, tracking prescriptions, gift cards for negative tests, and more.
First Edition: Monday, Oct. 7, 2024
October 7, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Even Political Rivals Agree That Medical Debt Is an Urgent Issue
By Noam N. Levey
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In red and blue states, state lawmakers from both parties are expanding protections for patients burdened by medical debt.
Incluso los rivales políticos coinciden en que es urgente resolver el problema de la deuda médica
By Noam N. Levey
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Desde 2021, en más de 20 estados se han promulgado nuevas leyes para frenar la facturación abusiva de los hospitales, ampliar la atención caritativa a los pacientes con ingresos más bajos y frenar a los recaudadores de deudas.
Catholic Hospital Offered Bucket, Towels to Woman It Denied an Abortion, California AG Said
By Molly Castle Work
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In California, where abortion rights are guaranteed, there’s a loophole. The growth of Catholic hospital systems, which restrict reproductive health care, has left patients with no other option for care. That will be the case for pregnant women in Northern California, with a hospital set to close its birth center.
FDA’s Promised Guidance on Pulse Oximeters Unlikely To End Decades of Racial Bias
By Arthur Allen
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For decades, the pulse oximeters used in hospitals, ambulances, and homes have underestimated the oxygen needs of darker-skinned patients. The FDA is preparing guidelines to fix that. But will the new rules go far enough?
Por qué se habla de discriminación racial al tomar el nivel de oxígeno
By Arthur Allen
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Fiscales estatales y senadores de EE.UU. han presionado a la Administración de Drogas y Alimentos para que tome medidas que ayuden a eliminar la desviación racial en los oxímetros de pulso.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The Health of the Campaign
October 4, 2024
Podcast
The 2024 presidential race is taking on a familiar tone — with Democrats accusing Republicans of wanting to ban abortion and repeal the Affordable Care Act and Republicans insisting they have no such plans. Voters will determine whom they believe. Meanwhile, for the second time in a month, a state judge overturned an abortion ban, but few expect the decision to settle the matter. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Lauren Sausser, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-Washington Post “Bill of the Month,” about a teenage athlete whose needed surgery lacked a billing code.
On the Campaign Trail, Democrats Call Out Opponents on Abortion
By Molly Castle Work
October 4, 2024
KFF Health News Original
As Nov. 5 approaches and the struggle for control of the U.S. House reaches a fever pitch, Democrats are doing everything they can to tie their Republican opponents to their antiabortion voting records. Some Republican candidates, meanwhile, seem to be softening their positions. And political analysts say it’s part of a larger trend playing out […]
First Mpox Diagnostic Test For Emergency Use Wins WHO Approval
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Reuters notes the PCR test, which samples skin lesion swabs, will boost testing in countries with mpox outbreaks. Meanwhile, Ghana has confirmed its first mpox case, though the exact variant is not yet known.
Mississippi Health Department Ups Distribution Of Free Naloxone
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also in news from around the nation: a hospital requirement in Florida and Texas to ask patients about their immigration status, a new health care option for small businesses in Oklahoma, and more.
