Since Fall of ‘Roe,’ Self-Managed Abortions Have Increased
By Sarah Varney
August 2, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The percentage of people who say they’ve tried to end a pregnancy without medical assistance increased after “Roe v. Wade” was overturned. One of the most common reasons for seeking a self-managed abortion was privacy concerns.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Abortion Heats Up Presidential Race
August 1, 2024
Podcast
The elevation of Vice President Kamala Harris to the top of the presumed Democratic presidential ticket is newly energizing the debate over abortion, while former President Donald Trump attempts to distance himself from more sweeping proposals in the “Project 2025” GOP blueprint put together by his former administration officials and the conservative Heritage Foundation. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Elisabeth Rosenthal, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” about a preauthorized surgery that generated a six-figure bill.
What’s Behind New Combined Urgent Care-ER Facilities
By Phil Galewitz
August 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
It’s Saturday afternoon, and your 4-year-old is bleeding from a gash on his face after a playtime mishap. Should you go to the emergency room or the urgent care clinic? VHC Health in Arlington, Va., plans to soon join a small but growing number of hospitals moving to resolve this dilemma by offering both types […]
Morning Briefing for Thursday, August 1, 2024
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Undetected bird flu cases, cancer, Tricare, Medicare pay raise, caregivers, private equity in health care, drug costs, and more are in the news.
Research Roundup: Depression; Covid; Hearing Loss; Trust In Doctors; More
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Nearly Half Of Dementia Cases Can Be Prevented Or Delayed: Study
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the new research, published in the Lancet medical journal, scientists found that addressing problems including vision loss, high cholesterol, and depression may help head off dementia. Also in the news: red meat and dementia risk; a 24/7 mental health care center in Maryland; and more.
As Covid Surges in California’s Bay Area, Vaccines Are Becoming Scarce
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Positive test rates are at a 30-month high, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, and because of dwindling availability, it’s harder to find places to get a shot. Meanwhile, a new study highlights the risks from the rate of undetected bird flu infections in people.
Drugs Like Wegovy Can Cause Some To Develop Eating Disorders, Doctors Say
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Even as some doctors warn that people who take weight loss drugs may risk developing disorders like anorexia, researchers separately find that Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound dramatically lowered patients’ heart failure risks.
4.2% Medicare Pay Raise Coming To Nursing Homes In Fiscal 2025
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The rate is higher than the 4.1% the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed in March. Also in the news: Humana predicts losing a few hundred thousand Medicare Advantage members next year; Google is not renewing its contract with Amazon One Medical for staff care; and more.
Private-Equity Firms Are Gutting US Health Care Facilities, Study Says
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Hospitals are finding it harder to care for patients when equipment, information technology, and other assets are taken away after private equity buys hospitals. Separately, surprise medicals bills and insurance denial fights are also in the news.
Republicans Pressing To Give Fetuses Same Rights As People
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Missouri Rep. Brian Seitz, a Republican, wants to reintroduce a fetal personhood bill, with possibly dramatic consequences for reproductive health treatments like abortion and IVF, Stateline reports.
Older Americans Act Renewal Wins Bipartisan Support Of Senate Panel
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The $15 billion measure, which bumps up spending more than 40%, now heads to the full Senate.
Pentagon Sets Out To Woo Patients, Doctors Back To Military Health System
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Defense Health Agency has been tasked with building a top-notch workforce and regaining the trust of service members around the globe. Separately, although veterans’ benefits are on the line, Senate conservatives are reluctant to get behind a bill to address the VA’s budget shortfall.
Younger Generations At Greater Risk Of Developing Cancer Than Baby Boomers
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
However, American Cancer Society researchers found that the risk of dying from the disease has stabilized or declined in Gen X and Millennials. In a separate study, researchers found the survival rate for cancer patients who undergo a double mastectomy is the same as for patients who don’t.
In Controversial Interviews, Trump Stirs Up Issues Of ‘Birtherism,’ Racism
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
In recent days, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has attacked Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity and religious views. Health research has shown that experiencing racism can dramatically impact a person’s health, and many cities have declared racism a public health crisis.
First Edition: Aug. 1, 2024
August 1, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
GOP Charge That Harris Backed Taxpayer-Funded Care for All Immigrants Overlooks Details
By Stephanie Armour
August 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Hoping to portray presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris as extreme on immigration, former President Donald Trump and his supporters have said she wanted to give free health benefits, paid by taxpayers, to immigrants in the country without legal permission. But this statement overlooks key details.
Montana Designs New Hurdles for Abortion Clinics Ahead of Vote To Protect Access
By Matt Volz
August 1, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Proposed regulations would require clinics providing abortions in the state to meet sweeping new health standards, despite a likely vote in November on a constitutional amendment to protect abortion access.
Bird Flu Cases Are Going Undetected, New Study Suggests. It’s a Problem for All of Us.
By Amy Maxmen
July 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Dairy workers in Texas show signs of prior, uncounted bird flu infections in a new study. Without labor protection and better health care, cases are bound to quietly rise as the outbreak among livestock blazes in the United States.
