Largest Dialysis Providers Under FTC Antitrust Investigation
July 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating alleged measures that DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care, the two largest providers in the dialysis industry, have taken to discourage any competition from smaller providers.
ACOs May Get Payment Boost In 2024 Under CMS Proposal
July 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Though physicians are facing a pay cut under CMS’ 2024 proposals, there is an upside in the plan for providers that participate in Medicare Shared Savings Program accountable care organizations: CMS wants to allow high-performing ACO providers to claim a share of the savings they generate early.
Tennesseans Have No Right To Amend Sex On Birth Certificate, Court Rules
July 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Long-established policy “predates medical diagnoses of gender dysphoria,” the court says, reasoning it therefore could not have targeted transgender people. Separately, neuroscientists delve into the brain differences between sex and gender.
World Is Still Behind After ‘Historic Backslide’ In Childhood Immunizations
July 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
New data from the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund shows that globally, we’ve yet to catch up after the pandemic-era drop in routine childhood shots. Also in the news: a window into the structure of proteins in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease; Ozempic’s tie to the risk for cognitive problems; and more.
Viewpoints: Clearing Up IVF Misinformation; Safe Help For Teens Shouldn’t Be So Tricky
July 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle IVF, teen mental health facilities, long covid, and Medicare drug pricing.
First Edition: July 15, 2024
July 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Health Care Pioneer Goes National, Girds for Partisan Skirmishes
By Samantha Young
July 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Anthony Wright, a champion for Californians’ health care rights, will take the helm of Families USA in Washington, D.C., where he plans to campaign for more affordable and accessible care nationally. He leaves Health Access California, where he helped outlaw surprise medical billing, require companies to report drug price increases, and cap hospital bills for uninsured patients.
Rural Hospitals Built During Baby Boom Now Face Baby Bust
By Tony Leys
July 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Fewer than half of rural U.S. hospitals offer labor and delivery services. In some areas, births have dropped by three-quarters since the baby boom’s peak.
Journalists Discuss FTC and Supreme Court Actions — And What’s Up With the Bird Flu
July 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media in recent weeks to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
The Court Case That Could Upend Access To Free Birth Control
By Sam Whitehead
July 12, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A lawsuit winding its way through the courts could undermine the power of federal agencies to mandate the services health insurance providers must cover. And that could threaten access to free birth control for millions of Americans. The case is called Braidwood Management Inc. v. Becerra, and it was brought by plaintiffs looking to strike […]
Viewpoints: Has US Maternal Mortality Rate Been Misreported?; Consolidation In Health Care Is A Bad Deal
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss maternal mortality rates, health care consolidation, gender medicine, homelessness, and more.
Pfizer Plans Clinical Trials For Its Once-A-Day Weight Loss Pill
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
A twice-daily version of the drug, named danuglipron, was scrapped late in 2023, but the new drug is now advancing toward clinical trials in a once-daily format.
House Panel Pares And Passes HHS 2025 Budget Along Party Lines
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The proposal includes such Republican priorities as revamping the NIH, protections on limiting abortion access, and trimming Title X family grants. The measure, which still needs full House approval, isn’t likely to pass the Senate in its current form.
Study: Risk Of Long Covid Is High For Pregnant Women Infected With Virus
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The findings said nearly 1 in 10 pregnant women who caught covid went on to develop long covid. Meanwhile, a separate study found that long covid was more likely to occur after a first infection compared to a reinfection.
As Big PBMs Dangle On A Hook, Smaller Players Surface For A Bite
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
As Modern Healthcare explains, the newer entrants are trying to set themselves apart from giants CVS, Cigna, and UnitedHealth and are passing along drug rebates, disclosing cost negotiations, reimbursing pharmacies at higher rates, and more.
Beware Of Canned Meats Illegally Imported From Philippines, USDA Says
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The warning addresses ready-to-eat meat products shipped to Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia. Also in public health news: Olympic wastewater monitoring, the latest trend in tween skincare, human longevity, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on the opioid crisis, “magic mushrooms,” cancer, and health tracking rings.
2,400 Patients At Oregon Hospitals May Have Been Exposed To HIV, Hepatitis
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
An anesthesiologist might not have followed infection control practices, officials told AP. Former patients of Providence Willamette Falls Medical Center in Oregon City and Providence Portland Medical Center are being notified to get a blood screen.
Morning Briefing for Friday, July 12, 2024
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Nursing home staffing, opioid settlement cash, IVF access, a weight-loss pill, HHS funding, PBMs, long covid risks, and more are in today’s news. Plus, your weekend reads.
Most US Adults Support Protecting Access To IVF: Survey
July 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to a new AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, 6 in 10 U.S. adults support protecting IVF access. When it comes to the complex issue of the destruction of unused embryos, opinions are more mixed — 4 in 10 people are “neutral” about banning it.
