Gov. Beshear Halts Conversion Therapy For Minors In Kentucky
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Democratic governor’s executive order that outlaws the disproved practice, which is intended to change a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation, goes into effect immediately. Plus: news from Indiana, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, Alabama, California, and elsewhere.
CDC Reports 22 More Oropouche Virus Cases
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The total number of Oropouche cases has now reached 74 across five states, mostly in Florida. In other news, a study found that cancer patients who are overweight are more likely to receive a second cancer diagnosis later.
Research Roundup: Diabetes Drugs; Covid; Cardiometabolic Diseases
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Report: US Ranks Worst In Health Care Among 10 Developed Nations
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
NBC News reports on the new data from The Commonwealth Fund, which found that Americans die the youngest and experience the most preventable deaths, despite that the U.S. spends nearly double what the other nine countries do. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Francis Collins are also in the news.
House Bill To Extend Pediatric Rare Disease Aid Clears Committee
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Passage of the measure would tee it up to be added to government funding legislation. It also would ensure the voucher program would be in place another five years. Meanwhile, the House rejected the stopgap spending bill as the deadline to avert a government shutdown nears.
Ascension Suffered $1.3 Billion Hit From Cyberattack, Analysis Finds
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The attack happened in May, forcing Ascension to close access to its electronic health records, and now financial data analyzed by STAT shows how much impact the hack had on the nonprofit hospital system. Separately, critics say the federal response to health industry cyberattacks is weak.
Neuralink ‘Blindsight’ Brain Implant Gets FDA ‘Breakthrough Device’ Nod
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The device is a variant of Neuralink’s brain implant technology, in this case designed to “enable even those who have lost both eyes” to see, according to owner Elon Musk. Separately, progress is reported in a gene therapy program to beat macular degeneration.
Insurers Begin To Tackle Complex Mental Health Compliance Rules
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The industry is tasked with bringing mental health services in line with medical benefits in an effort to make it easier for Americans to find the care they need. Elsewhere, St. Paul plans to streamline its 911 services, and 988 counselors contend with “bogus sex calls.”
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Abortion Clinics — And Patients — Are on the Move, as State Laws Keep Shifting
By Bram Sable-Smith
Illustration by Oona Zenda
September 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Clinics in states where most abortions are legal, such as Kansas and Illinois, are reporting an influx of inquiries from patients hundreds of miles away — and are expanding in response. Despite the Supreme Court’s overturning of federal protections in 2022, abortions are now at their highest numbers in a decade.
California Medicaid Ballot Measure Is Popular, Well Funded — And Perilous, Opponents Warn
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Proposition 35, which would use revenue from a tax on managed-care plans to raise the pay of health care providers who serve Medi-Cal patients, has united a broad swath of California’s health care, business, and political establishments. But a newly formed, smaller group of opponents says it will do more harm than good.
These Alabama Workers Were Swamped by Medical Debt. Then Their Employer Stepped In.
By Noam N. Levey
September 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A decades-old manufacturing company opened a clinic and made primary care and prescriptions free for employees and their families.
Cyberattacks Plague the Health Industry. Critics Call Feds’ Response Feeble and Fractured.
By Darius Tahir
September 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Health care weathered more ransomware attacks last year than any other sector, and that was before a debilitating February hack of payments manager Change Healthcare. Executives, lawyers, and policymakers are worried the federal government’s response is underpowered, underfunded, and too focused on hospital security.
Unpacking the FDA’s Non-Recall Recalls
By David Hilzenrath
September 18, 2024
KFF Health News Original
When the Agriculture Department posted a recall of chicken nuggets that might be contaminated, it directed consumers to return them or throw the stuff away. When the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that poorly designed baby loungers could suffocate babies, it warned consumers to immediately stop using them. But when it comes to medical devices, […]
High-Dose Kratom Capsules Are Safe, First FDA Study Of Compound Finds
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The botanical has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia, Bloomberg notes, but it’s more commonly found in drinks and concentrates in the U.S., triggering the research effort. Separately, financial incentives for kidney donors; changing research standards on trans issues; and more.
Express Scripts Sues FTC, Calls Report About Drug Middlemen ‘Erroneous’
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Comes Out On Top; Religious Exemptions For Vaccinations Should End
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
