Even Political Rivals Agree That Medical Debt Is an Urgent Issue
By Noam N. Levey
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In red and blue states, state lawmakers from both parties are expanding protections for patients burdened by medical debt.
Incluso los rivales políticos coinciden en que es urgente resolver el problema de la deuda médica
By Noam N. Levey
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Desde 2021, en más de 20 estados se han promulgado nuevas leyes para frenar la facturación abusiva de los hospitales, ampliar la atención caritativa a los pacientes con ingresos más bajos y frenar a los recaudadores de deudas.
Catholic Hospital Offered Bucket, Towels to Woman It Denied an Abortion, California AG Said
By Molly Castle Work
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In California, where abortion rights are guaranteed, there’s a loophole. The growth of Catholic hospital systems, which restrict reproductive health care, has left patients with no other option for care. That will be the case for pregnant women in Northern California, with a hospital set to close its birth center.
FDA’s Promised Guidance on Pulse Oximeters Unlikely To End Decades of Racial Bias
By Arthur Allen
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For decades, the pulse oximeters used in hospitals, ambulances, and homes have underestimated the oxygen needs of darker-skinned patients. The FDA is preparing guidelines to fix that. But will the new rules go far enough?
Por qué se habla de discriminación racial al tomar el nivel de oxígeno
By Arthur Allen
October 7, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Fiscales estatales y senadores de EE.UU. han presionado a la Administración de Drogas y Alimentos para que tome medidas que ayuden a eliminar la desviación racial en los oxímetros de pulso.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': The Health of the Campaign
October 4, 2024
Podcast
The 2024 presidential race is taking on a familiar tone — with Democrats accusing Republicans of wanting to ban abortion and repeal the Affordable Care Act and Republicans insisting they have no such plans. Voters will determine whom they believe. Meanwhile, for the second time in a month, a state judge overturned an abortion ban, but few expect the decision to settle the matter. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Lauren Sausser, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-Washington Post “Bill of the Month,” about a teenage athlete whose needed surgery lacked a billing code.
On the Campaign Trail, Democrats Call Out Opponents on Abortion
By Molly Castle Work
October 4, 2024
KFF Health News Original
As Nov. 5 approaches and the struggle for control of the U.S. House reaches a fever pitch, Democrats are doing everything they can to tie their Republican opponents to their antiabortion voting records. Some Republican candidates, meanwhile, seem to be softening their positions. And political analysts say it’s part of a larger trend playing out […]
First Mpox Diagnostic Test For Emergency Use Wins WHO Approval
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Reuters notes the PCR test, which samples skin lesion swabs, will boost testing in countries with mpox outbreaks. Meanwhile, Ghana has confirmed its first mpox case, though the exact variant is not yet known.
Mississippi Health Department Ups Distribution Of Free Naloxone
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also in news from around the nation: a hospital requirement in Florida and Texas to ask patients about their immigration status, a new health care option for small businesses in Oklahoma, and more.
Researchers Find Possible Cause Of Voices People With Schizophrenia Hear
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
New research shines a light into schizophrenic auditory hallucinations: They may be linked to “noisy” or “broken” motor signals sent across the brain when people are preparing to speak. In other mental health news: marijuana use, a potential KP mental health worker strike, gun laws in Massachusetts, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on the Boar’s Head listeria outbreak, getting sober, antibiotic resistance, mpox, and more.
Viewpoints: Scurvy May Be More Common Than We Think; Is Melania Trump Really Pro-Choice?
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Morning Briefing for Friday, October 4, 2024
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Vaccine skepticism, covid shots, the drug pricing law, hospital transparency, bird flu, EEE, aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and more.
Drug Pricing Law Savings May Disappoint, Budget Experts Warn
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The government bill for the law might mean less cash will be saved than hoped, Stat reports. The Medicare Part D drug benefit is estimated to cost $10 billion to $20 billion more in 2025 than projected. Meanwhile, Texas sues PBMs, drugmakers over insulin pricing.
Chasing Votes, Some In House GOP Highlight Their ‘Pro-Choice’ Messaging
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The reason for the unexpected swing toward abortion rights? Tightening races, The Washington Post reports. The news comes as former President Donald Trump spoke about encouraging Melania Trump to “write what you believe” about abortion. In advanced previews of her memoir, she appears pro-choice.
As Yellow Jackets Buzz After Helene, NC Health Officials Send Allergy Meds
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
Benadryl and EpiPens are being supplied to counter the sting after floodwaters and fallen trees displaced colonies of the nesting insect. Meanwhile, as the search for victims of the storm enters its second week, many still don’t have running water.
This Year’s Flu Shot Might Offer Less Protection, CDC Reports
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
The effectiveness of this year’s flu jab was lower in South America than for last season, which informs the CDC’s analysis about protection the shot may offer people in the U.S. come flu season. CDC data does show the shot lowered hospitalization risks in the Southern Hemisphere dramatically, though.
California Reports 2 Cases Of Bird Flu In People; EEE Risk Lessens In Mass.
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other news about Eastern equine encephalitis, New Hampshire confirmed a fifth human case in an adult who has died. Plus, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urges more help from the federal government to fight mosquito-borne diseases.
First Edition: Friday, Oct. 4, 2024
October 4, 2024
Morning Briefing
TGIF! Here are today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump lidera el escepticismo por las vacunas, y el partido lo sigue
By Darius Tahir
October 4, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Trump ha liderado un cambio radical en la visión de su partido sobre las vacunas, reflejado esta temporada de campaña en afirmaciones falsas de candidatos republicanos durante las primarias y en teorías conspirativas desconcertantes de voces conservadoras prominentes.
