Catholic Employers May Ignore EEOC Directive On Abortion, IVF, Judge Rules
September 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
In granting a preliminary injunction, the judge signaled the rule is a violation of freedom of religion. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans blocked a resolution that would have guaranteed access to abortion care in emergency situations.
Sanders Grills Novo Nordisk CEO Over High Cost Of Weight Loss Drugs
September 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Vermont independent says he has secured pledges from the major PBMs that they would not limit coverage of Ozempic and Wegovy if the company lowers its list prices — an announcement that CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen says he wasn’t aware of heading into the congressional hearing.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024
September 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Deadly High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy Is on the Rise
By Katheryn Houghton
September 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
More pregnant women are being diagnosed with dangerously high blood pressure, which risks the life of the parent and child. Montana is one of the states improving screening and treatment as health facilities work to match care with best practices.
In Chronic Pain, This Teenager ‘Could Barely Do Anything.’ Insurer Wouldn’t Cover Surgery.
By Lauren Sausser
September 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
An Alabama teen was told he needed surgery for debilitating hip pain. But his family’s insurer denied coverage for the procedure, which lacked a medical billing code. Expected to pay more than $7,000, his father charged it to credit cards.
Watch: What You Reveal, You Heal — Meeting the Makers of ‘Silence in Sikeston’
By Cara Anthony
September 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony sat down with WORLD executive producer Chris Hastings to discuss the origins of the “Silence in Sikeston” project, which explores the impact of a 1942 lynching and a 2020 police killing in the same rural Missouri community.
California Governor Signs Law Banning Medical Debt From Credit Reports
By Molly Castle Work
September 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
New California legislation will bar unpaid medical bills from showing up on consumer credit reports starting in January. However, the banking industry muscled in eleventh-hour amendments that weakened the protections for patients, the bill’s lead sponsor says.
Por ley, la deuda médica ya no puede estar en los reportes de crédito en California
By Molly Castle Work
September 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Al menos ocho estados han prohibido que las facturas médicas aparezcan en los informes de crédito de los consumidores en los últimos dos años.
States’ Efforts To Alter Arcane Hospital Rules Mix Politics With Drama
By Sam Whitehead
September 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Georgia is one of dozens of states that require health-care facilities to ask for permission to build or expand by obtaining “certificates of need.” Basically, state regulators get to decide whether a town needs a new hospital or long-term care center. If the need is deemed real, they’re granted a “CON.” The intent of the […]
Senate Democrats Seek Another Vote On Emergency Access To Abortion
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The unanimous consent effort is intended to show just where lawmakers stand on this issue ahead of November’s general election. It is not expected to pass.
Lawsuit Accuses Epic Systems Of Monopolist Practices In EHR Market
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
In addition to seeking damages in its lawsuit, Particle Health wants Epic to discontinue its alleged anticompetitive practices in regards to patient data.
Citing Fraud And Device Misuse, HHS Seeks Check On Remote Patient Care
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
As more patients switched to remote patient monitoring, the cost to Medicare ballooned to $311 million, up from just $15 million in 2019 before the covid-19 pandemic. Also in the news: telehealth addiction treatment, the organ transplant network, and more.
New Yorker Infected With EEE Dies; Vt. Mosquito Testing Shows Improvement
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, on Monday announced ways the state will try to curb the disease’s spread, including making mosquito repellent available to visitors at state parks and campgrounds.
HIV Infection Rate Tumbled By 20% In San Francisco Last Year
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The number of new diagnoses in 2023 was 133, the lowest it has been in decades. The abrupt drop in infections represents a success after years of slow progress against the disease. Also in the news: A study shows diabetes drug metformin might slow aging.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals Sues To Block Colorado’s Free EpiPen Push
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Colorado’s law, passed last year, to make Amneal provide free generic EpiPens to pharmacies is facing a challenge from the company, which argues it’s effectively an illegal property taking. Among other news, Purdue Pharma’s settlement talks with the Sackler family are extended to November.
Jurors Reject Mental Illness Argument For Colorado Supermarket Gunman
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Lawyers for the gunman, who fatally shot 10 people in a Boulder grocery store in 2021, tried to argue his mental illness made him incapable of knowing right from wrong. Jurors disagreed. Other news includes a battle over a DuPont trust, the drug-related death of a trans activist, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 24, 2024
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
KFF Health News is on Instagram and TikTok ! Watch our videos and follow along as we break down health care headlines and policy.
US Severe Obesity Rate Swells
September 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
About 1 in 10 of survey respondents indicated they are severely obese. It’s too soon to know whether obesity treatments and drugs will ease the problem, researchers say. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk’s CEO is expected to testify today in a Senate panel hearing about the high cost of weight loss drugs.
