FDA Backtracks; Pharmacies Continue With Knockoff Weight Loss Drugs
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports that intense public backlash and a lawsuit led the FDA to reconsider its declaration, made two weeks ago, that the shortage of weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound is over. The flip allows compounding pharmacies to continue making unbranded copies while the FDA reevaluates its decision.
Acadia Healthcare Under Scrutiny By VA Over Alleged Fraud Scheme
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The psychiatric hospital chain is accused of extending stays of patients longer than medically necessary and profiting from U.S. insurance programs in the process. Other industry news covers a potential Cigna-Humana merger, elder care services, and more.
The Prospect Of RFK Jr. On Trump’s Health Policy Team Unnerves Some
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
“It scares the bejesus out of me because he is really, I would say, one of the big leaders in an anti-science philosophy that we see in this country — which is really concerning, deeply concerning,” one biotech investor says.
Biden Administration Advances Plan For Free OTC Contraceptives
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Birth control, condoms, emergency contraception, and other products would be covered by insurance under the proposed rule. “We have made clear that in all 50 states, the Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services without cost sharing,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
First Edition: Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Watch: ‘Silence in Sikeston & The Effects of Racial Violence’
By Cara Anthony
October 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony talks about how racism affects health on Nine PBS’ “Listen, St. Louis with Carol Daniel,” stemming from her reporting for the “Silence in Sikeston” multimedia project, on the impact of a 1942 lynching and a 2020 police killing on a rural Missouri community.
Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cost More.
By Susan Jaffe
October 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.
Journalists Address Opioid Settlements, Undiagnosed ADHD, and a Georgia Chemical Fire
October 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media in the last two weeks to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Your Flu Shot Is Missing Something This Year — And You’ll Be Glad For It
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
NPR reports that the FDA is not including one of the strains of flu — B/Yamagata — in this year’s recipe because covid prevention initiatives appear to have pushed it into oblivion. Meanwhile, whooping cough reaches its highest spread since 2014. Have you updated your Tdap shot? You need it every 10 years, the CDC says.
Shingles Infection Might Play A Role In Dementia, Study Finds
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers examine the cause and effect of the viral infection on the brain. In other mental health news, 988 crisis hotline callers will now be directed to nearby call centers.
Texas Sues Pediatrician, Alleges Illegal Treatment For Transgender Children
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton described the lawsuit as the state’s first enforcement action under a 2023 state law. Other news from around the nation comes from New York City, Michigan, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on euthanasia, C. elegans, starch, an interview with Robert Califf, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, October 18, 2024
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Storm fallout on health care, teen tobacco use, Medicare Advantage plans, flu shot, emergency abortion care, and more. Plus, your weekend reads.
CDC: Teen Use Of Tobacco Products Falls 20% To Lowest Level In 25 Years
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC released data Thursday that shows teen use of at least one tobacco product — such as cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches and hookahs — fell to the lowest level since the survey started in 1999. Also, young Instagram users are being warned about sextortion.
CVS Ousts CEO Amid Company’s Struggles To Drive Up Profits, Stocks
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
CVS announced Friday that CEO Karen Lynch will be replaced by David Joyner, as consumer spending drops at the company’s retail pharmacies and Aetna, its insurance unit, faces higher medical costs.
Former Medicare Chief Warns About Medicare Advantage Pay Rates
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Donald Berwick, who ran Medicare during the Obama administration, says Medicare Advantage plans run by private insurers need a lot more regulation. He suggests a two-pronged system fix that would take the overpayments out of MA and use that money to cover vision, dental, and hearing service in traditional Medicare, Stat says.
Tennessee Doctors Who Do Emergency Abortions Shouldn’t Fear Punishment, Judges Say
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Although a panel of Tennessee judges agrees that providers can’t be punished in the professional realm, they noted physicians still may face criminal charges. Meanwhile, a federal judge clamped down on Florida’s threat to go after networks that run abortion ads, calling the action “unconstitutional coercion.”
First Edition: Friday, Oct. 18, 2024
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
