Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
October 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on cancer, lead paint, “electrosensitive” people, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, October 25, 2024
October 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bird flu, affordable care and the election, Medicare Advantage, futuristic health devices, abortion, and more. Plus, your weekend reads.
While Bird Flu Cases Rise, CDC Says No Evidence Of Human-To-Human Spread
October 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Confirmed cases of avian flu have risen to 31 in the U.S. with a new case reported in Missouri. The CDC says that its separate investigation of symptomatic health workers in the state has shown they were not infected with the virus and that there is no evidence yet of human-to-human transmission.
Higher Adverse Events Risk Linked To Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics Use: Study
October 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study shows otherwise healthy adults who take broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat community-acquired pneumonia are more likely to suffer adverse drug events. Also in the news: evolution of covid, and the Alzheimer’s-Ozempic link.
California Mental Health Agency Director To Resign Following Conflict of Interest Allegations
By Molly Castle Work
October 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Toby Ewing, executive director of California’s Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, is resigning amid an investigation into his conduct and revelations that he traveled to the U.K. courtesy of a vendor as he sought to protect state funding for its contract.
First Edition: Friday, Oct. 25, 2024
October 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Exclusive: Emails Reveal How Health Departments Struggle To Track Human Cases of Bird Flu
By Amy Maxmen
October 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Emails show how health officials struggle to track the bird flu, partly in deference to the agricultural industry. As a result, researchers don’t know how often farmworkers are being infected — and could miss alarming signals.
Presidential Election Puts Affordable Care Act Back in the Bull’s-Eye
By Stephanie Armour
October 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The outcome of the upcoming presidential election could affect the number of insured Americans, the fate of premium-reducing subsidies, the shape of Medicaid, and the cost of coverage for tens of millions of people.
¿Se puede confiar en una mamografía para identificar el riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca?
By Michelle Andrews
October 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
La enfermedad cardíaca es la principal causa de muerte en los Estados Unidos. Fue responsable de más de 300,000 —o aproximadamente 1 de cada 5— muertes de mujeres en 2021.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Less Than Two Weeks To Go
October 24, 2024
Podcast
With Election Day rapidly approaching, abortion is gaining traction as a voting issue, according to public opinion polls. Meanwhile, states with abortion bans are reviving the lawsuit — dismissed by the Supreme Court on a technicality this year — that could roll back the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Tricia Neuman, senior vice president of KFF and executive director of its Program on Medicare Policy, about Medicare open enrollment and the changes to the federal program for 2025.
Long-Term Care Facilities Must Provide Addiction Care, Advocates Say
By Henry Larweh
October 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
When you think about the opioid crisis, the image of adults in their 20s, 30s, even sometimes those who are middle-aged, may come to mind. Rightly so, since most overdose deaths occur in people between ages 25 and 64. But did you know older adults are increasingly at risk of overdosing from opioids, too? In fact, from 2021 […]
Supreme Court Case On Transgender Care In Tenn. Could Have Ripple Effect
October 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Two dozen states, including Tennessee, have banned hormone therapy for transgender minors. The Supreme Court will begin hearing a challenge Dec. 4, the outcome of which could have repercussions for other states. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and other Republican candidates are leaning into anti-trans messaging as the election nears.
Research Roundup: Maternal Covid; Lyme Borreliosis; Narcolepsy
October 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
After Bruising Report, Inspector General Recommends Medicare Restrict Home Visit Payments
October 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal reported on a new report from the OIG that found private Medicare insurers got about $4.2 billion in extra federal payments in 2023 for diagnoses from home visits the companies initiated, even though they led to no treatment. The Medicare agency disputed the report and said it disagreed with the recommendation.
Change Healthcare Data Hack Deemed Largest Health Care Breach In History
October 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to the HHS’ Breach Portal, the cyberattack Change Healthcare experienced in February affected nearly 30% of the U.S. population. In the aftermath of the breach, Change Healthcare has lost customers, and it is unclear when all of its systems will be restored.
If Elected, These Two Doctors Would Be Only Pro-Choice OB-GYNs In Congress
October 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
As The 19th points out, 19 physicians serve in the U.S. Congress — 15 in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate. Currently, only two of them are OB-GYNs; both are male Republicans who oppose abortion. Plus: Stat looks at key races and ballot issues that could shape health care.
National Licensing Board Scraps Skills Test For Prospective Psychologists
October 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The organization now will explore whether it will move to a single-session certification exam that tests both knowledge and skills. News from around the nation comes from Pennsylvania, Maine, Louisiana, and elsewhere.
Folks 50 And Up Need Pneumonia Shot, 65 And Up Need 2nd Covid Jab: Panel
October 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices revised its recommendations in an effort to provide more protections for people most at risk of severe infection.
