Nebraska Court Allows Competing Abortion Measures On The Ballot
September 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Voters must weigh in on a measure that would expand abortion protections and another that would limit them. Meanwhile in Arizona, lawmakers repealed the 1864 law that was revived to ban abortions. Also, a study reveals tubal ligation isn’t a sure-fire method for preventing pregnancies.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 16, 2024
September 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Decades of National Suicide Prevention Policies Haven’t Slowed the Deaths
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
September 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Despite years of national strategies to address the suicide crisis in the U.S., rates continue to rise. A chorus of researchers and experts say the interventions will work — but that they’re simply not being adopted by state and local governments.
Tossed Medicine, Delayed Housing: How Homeless Sweeps Are Thwarting Medicaid’s Goals
By Angela Hart
September 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
As California cities crack down on homeless encampments in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling authorizing fines and arrests, front-line workers say such sweeps are undercutting billions in state and federal Medicaid spending meant to stabilize people’s health and get them off the streets.
Journalists Explore Breast Cancer Rates and the Medical Response to Mass Shootings
September 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline journalists made the rounds on local and state media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Apple’s New AirPods Earbuds Win FDA Approval For Use As Hearing Aids
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
The FDA noted that over-the-counter devices like Apple’s latest model AirPods could help more Americans with hearing loss get help. Also in the news: an effective but expensive injectable HIV-prevention drug; a drug that delays brain tumor progression; and more.
Nearly $10M Telemedicine Initiative Will Boost Southwest Minnesota EMS
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
The goal is to improve and speed up care after crashes in rural communities by connecting ambulance staff to remote physicians, experienced paramedics, and nurses for peer-to-peer support. Other news is from Florida, California, Georgia, and Wyoming.
As Texas Herds Contracted H5N1, Virus Also Showed Up In Wastewater Samples
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
“The widespread detection of influenza A(H5N1) virus in wastewater from 10 U.S. cities is troubling,” report authors say. Meanwhile, the CDC says the human bird flu case in Missouri remains a mystery. Experts also voice concerns that as autumn arrives, the U.S. is entering a riskier time for H5N1 spread.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on well water, food deserts, polio, the 9/11 attacks, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 13, 2024
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Employer insurance costs, mental health after school shootings, Medicaid work requirements, hospital safety, and more. Plus, weekend reads.
Why All Families Should Talk About Racial Trauma
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
KFF Health News’ Midwest Correspondent Cara Anthony spent the past few years reporting about racial violence in Sikeston, Missouri, for our “Silence in Sikeston” project. Interviewing Black families there helped her uncover her family’s traumatic past, too.
Near-Total Abortion Ban In N. Dakota Deemed Unconstitutional
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
In striking down the law, the judge said it is “a violation on medical freedom” in that it takes away a woman’s right to choose. Also, as voters in several states prepare to pick a side on ballot initiatives, congressional Democrats are pressing for clarity about when providers must step in and deal with emergency abortions. Meanwhile, the Senate has another vote on IVF coming up.
Employers Face Average 5.8% Jump In Their Health Insurance Costs Next Year
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
The higher-than-usual spike is driven primarily by higher use of medical care by employees, increasing costs that providers charge for their services, and pricey drugs like weight loss GLP-1 medications. The increase was estimated through a survey by consulting firm Mercer, which also found that 53% of employers plan to implement cost-management changes in 2025.
Hospital Safety And Quality Are Ticking Upward After Covid: Report
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
The report from the American Hospital Association and consulting group Vizient notes that among the improvements seen after the pandemic, patient mortality risks are falling, and there are fewer hospital-acquired infections.
‘So Stressed They Cannot Function’: Surgeon General Warns On Parenting Hazards
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
The office of the surgeon general issued an advisory that calls the pressures of modern-day parenting “an urgent public health issue,” finding that more than half of parents say that the stress is “completely overwhelming.”
By Choosing Sides In Election, Health Tech Leaders Take A Calculated Risk
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
As Stat notes, their public stance could put future investments and business deals on the line. Also, more follow-up discussions stemming from Tuesday’s presidential debate.
Polémica estrategia contra la violencia con armas de fuego pone a policías armados en las escuelas
By Christine Spolar
September 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Para los sistemas escolares, la amenaza de los tiroteos ha influido en una difícil toma de decisiones, ya que los administradores deben tener en cuenta el miedo, el deber y las estadísticas confusas para proteger a las escuelas de este peligro.
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 13, 2024
September 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘What Happens Three Months From Now?’ Mental Health After Georgia High School Shooting
By Sam Whitehead Renuka Rayasam Andy Miller
September 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The recent shooting at Apalachee High School outside of Atlanta caused more than physical wounds. Medical experts worry a lack of mental health resources in the community — and in Georgia as a whole — means few options for those trying to cope with trauma from the shooting.
