UnitedHealth CEO Faces Blistering Questions At Hearings On Change Hack
May 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty faced criticisms from Senate and House committees on Wednesday over his company’s cybersecurity that led to the ransomware attack on subsidiary Change Healthcare. He also answered questions about the company’s response to the incident that compromised private data for as many as a third of Americans.
Arizona Senate Rescinds Abortion Ban With Little Help From GOP Lawmakers
May 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is expected to sign the measure, which then would reinstate the law allowing for elective abortions up to 15 weeks. Meanwhile, women are reeling after Florida’s strict six-week abortion law takes hold.
First Edition: May 2, 2024
May 2, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Is Wrong About a Ban on NIH Research About Mass Shootings
By Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact
May 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Since 2020, the National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies have collectively funded millions of dollars in gun-related research, including studies addressing mass shootings.
DIY Gel Manicures May Harm Your Health
By Tarena Lofton
May 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A TikTok user claims to have developed an allergy from DIY gel nails. What gives? An allergist weighed in. Let’s walk through what happened in this viral video.
‘Breaking a Promise’: California Deficit Could Halt Raises for Disability Workers
By Vanessa G. Sánchez
May 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Families of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities say Gov. Gavin Newsom is reneging on an expected pay increase for care workers. If the delay goes through, it could impede services and invite legal challenges from advocates.
FDA: Brain Biopsies Performed With ‘False Justification’ At Mount Sinai
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Patients desperate for relief from debilitating diseases were asked to participate in research study, prompting a review by the Food and Drug Administration. In other news, a treatment to restore brain cells for patients with Timothy syndrome shows promise for treating other genetic conditions.
Controversial Generic Drug ‘Skinny Labels’ Saved Medicare Billions
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Is Home Research Hurting The Doctor-Patient Relationship?; What To Look For With H5N1
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss doctor-patient relationships, bird flu, colorectal cancer, and the health of children.
Class-Action Lawsuit OK’d Against Florida’s ‘Unwinding’ Of Medicaid
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The suit alleges Florida did not properly tell people that they were going to be disenrolled from the program. Meanwhile, Mississippi lawmakers might vote this week on a proposal to expand Medicaid.
Walmart’s Closure Of Clinics Is Part Of Larger Retail Retreat From Health Care
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Walmart will shut down all 51 of its health clinics and its virtual care services, citing costs and the challenges of reimbursements as the force behind its change of strategy.
Watchdog Report: Hospital Patient Grades Up For First Time Since Covid
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit watchdog organization, finds that the improved patient experience scores in at least 70% of hospitals have helped drive an improvement in overall safety grades for spring 2024.
Scientists: Influenza A Virus Found In Wastewater Triggers Bird Flu Concerns
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study about the possible spread of H5N1 through dairy cattle includes observations of spiking levels of influenza A virus in wastewater samples. Meanwhile, the USDA is testing ground beef for bird flu particles, though it stresses meat is safe.
Trump: Pandemic Office Isn’t Needed; Biden Campaign Slams His Words
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
“Pandemic preparedness isn’t abstract to the millions of Americans that lost a loved one” during former President Trump’s covid leadership, Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz said, after Donald Trump said the preparedness office was “a way of giving out pork.”
CDC: Rural Americans More Likely Than Urban Americans To Die Early
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The federal data, published in a report Tuesday, covers 2010 through 2022 and finds rural Americans to be at higher risk of early death from one of the five leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, stroke, and chronic lower respiratory disease.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 1, 2024
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Airborne disease spread, breast cancer screenings, pot classification, Medicaid, abortion law, hospital safety, and more are in the news.
Biennial Breast Cancer Screening Should Start At 40, Task Force Suggests
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The group based its recommendation to bump up mammograms by 10 years on studies showing “moderate net benefit.” The group also found that Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer. Experts from other groups contend testing every other year isn’t enough.
Gigantic DEA Policy Shift May See Pot Classified As Less Dangerous
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The AP reports that the DEA is moving to reclassify marijuana, though the drug will remain listed as a controlled substance. News outlets examine what the ripple effects of reclassification will be, including facilitating research into the drug.
Florida’s Abortion Ban After 6 Weeks Now In Effect
May 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Starting today, the window in which a pregnant person can get an abortion in Florida was reduced from 15 weeks to six. Leading up to the new law taking effect, abortion clinics rushed to treat as many patients as possible.