Medicare Stumbles Managing a Costly Problem — Chronic Illness
By Phil Galewitz
April 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Nearly a decade ago, Medicare launched a program to help the two-thirds of beneficiaries with chronic conditions by paying their doctors an additional monthly fee to coordinate their care. The strategy has largely failed to live up to its potential; only about 4 percent of potentially eligible beneficiaries in the traditional Medicare program are enrolled, […]
Nonprofit Health Care Sector Could Dodge FTC’s Broad Noncompete Ban
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The agency determines it doesn’t have the authority to regulate hospital and insurance companies that operate as not-for-profits. The sweeping changes might be tied up in the courts for years.
White House Revises Suicide Prevention Plans, Mentions Social Media
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Amid rising suicide rates, the updated national strategy emphasizes health equity and the mental health impacts of social media. Actor Ashley Judd and singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc helped promote the new plan; both lost loved ones to suicide.
We’re All Breathing More Toxic Air Now Than 25 Years Ago: Report
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The American Lung Association report shows recent air samples have the worst toxic particle pollution in the 25 years of study. Climate change and wildfires are likely to blame. Meanwhile, Massachusetts will deploy 200 air sensors in communities across the state to sample pollution.
Study Highlights Trans Women’s Advantages, Disadvantages In Sports
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The study, paid for by the International Olympic Committee, showed trans women have substantial grip strength but lower jumping ability and lung function compared to athletes whose gender was assigned at birth — debunking theories some politicians espouse when enacting trans sports bans.
Doctors’ Skepticism Is Thwarting Wider Rollout Of Alzheimer’s Drug
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 24, 2024
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Health care price fixing, air and water safety, bird flu, emergency care and abortion, suicide, hospital mergers, and more are in the news.
Inactive Bird Flu Virus Fragments Found In Pasteurized Milk: FDA
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The FDA said Tuesday it had detected bird flu viral remnants in pasteurized milk but stressed that there was no actual risk from this source to consumers. Separately, reports show the H5N1 virus may have jumped to U.S. dairy herds earlier than thought.
Justices Set To Hear High-Stakes Case On Emergency Care And Abortion
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets examine what’s at stake when the Supreme Court hears arguments today related to how federal law applies to emergency health care in places where abortion is banned. Separately, some states and cities want to collect more patient data related to reproductive health.
Strapped FTC Fails To Fully Scrutinize Hospital Mergers: Study
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study finds that the FTC does not have enough money or staff to properly review proposed hospital acquisitions for antitrust risks, which has led to higher health care prices and less industry competition. Other FTC news relates to price fixing.
First Edition: April 24, 2024
April 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Neumáticos tóxicos están matando a los peces. ¿Qué pasa con los humanos?
By Jim Robbins
April 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Durante décadas, las preocupaciones sobre la contaminación automovilística se han centrado en lo que sale del tubo de escape. Ahora, investigadores y reguladores dicen que se necesita prestar más atención a las emisiones tóxicas de los neumáticos mientras los vehículos circulan por las carreteras.
Tire Toxicity Faces Fresh Scrutiny After Salmon Die-Offs
By Jim Robbins
April 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Tires emit huge volumes of particles and chemicals as they roll along the highway, and researchers are only beginning to understand the threat. One byproduct of tire use, 6PPD-q, is in regulators’ crosshairs after it was found to be killing fish.
FTC Chief Says Tech Advancements Risk Health Care Price Fixing
By Julie Rovner and David Hilzenrath
April 23, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Technological advances including the widespread use of algorithms make it easier for companies to fix prices without explicitly coordinating, Lina Khan said at a KFF event.
Supreme Court May Lean Toward Laws That Ban Public Sleeping
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
A Supreme Court majority may support an Oregon city that banned sleeping or camping in public spaces in an effort to target homeless people. Protesters who are against moves to penalize homelessness gathered outside the court, concerned about the case’s implications.
Indiana Eclipse-Watching Party Might Have Been A Measles Exposure Event
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The gathering at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on April 8 might have resulted in multiple people being exposed to measles, since an infected individual was in attendance. Meanwhile, a measles case in West Virginia is the first confirmed one in 15 years.
Louisiana Schools Told To Disregard Title IX Rules For Trans Students
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration’s new Title IX rules include more protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, but Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s superintendent of education, contends those rules conflict with state laws.
Viewpoints: The US Is Ready To Tackle A Bird Flu Pandemic; Black Maternal Health Care Sorely Lacking
April 23, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine H5N1, disparities in maternal health care, gene therapy, and psychiatry.