Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on babies, alcohol, disabilities, cancer, and more.
US Nabs Drug Kingpin ‘El Mayo,’ Whose Cartel Is No. 1 Trafficker Of Fentanyl
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to news reports, U.S. authorities fooled Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada into boarding a Texas-bound private plane. There he was taken into custody, alongside Joaquin Guzmán, who is the son of famed drug lord “El Chapo.” Zambada’s Sinaloa cartel is believed to the biggest supplier of fentanyl to the U.S., and the two men were among the top-wanted drug dealers in the world.
Senate Panel Subpoenas Steward Health CEO Over Bankruptcy Filing
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
After refusing to testify voluntarily, Dr. Ralph de la Torre now will appear Sept. 12 in an investigation related to the company’s practices. Also in the news: Optum layoffs, Brigham and Women’s nurses strike, hospital sales, and more.
$10 Million Reward Offered For Info On North Korean Ransomware Hackers
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The State Department wants details on the location of members of a ransomware gang that targeted health care systems. Also in the news: HHS renames its office of health information technology.
Texas Is Fighting Title X Decree That Allows Kids Confidential Contraception
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The rule stipulates providers “may not require consent of parents or guardians for the provision of services to minors.” A lawsuit argues that violates parental rights. Separately, a melt-in-your-mouth birth control pill wins FDA approval. Also, Michigan Advance breaks down abortion misconceptions.
First Edition: July 26, 2024
July 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The CDC’s Test for Bird Flu Works, but It Has Issues
By Arthur Allen Amy Maxmen
July 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promises better tests are being developed, but the episode points to vulnerabilities in the country’s defense against emerging outbreaks.
Union With Labor Dispute of Its Own Threatened To Cut Off Workers’ Health Benefits
By Phil Galewitz
Updated July 26, 2024
Originally Published July 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The National Education Association, the nation’s largest union, told striking workers that their health coverage would be cut off Aug. 1 absent a deal on a new contract. Tensions have mounted after staff disrupted the union’s convention, at which President Joe Biden had been scheduled to speak.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Harris in the Spotlight
July 25, 2024
Podcast
For the 2024 campaign, Joe Biden is out, and Kamala Harris is in. As the vice president makes moves toward the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, health policy is resurging as a campaign issue. Meanwhile, Congress tries — and again fails — to make timely progress on the annual government spending bills as abortion issues cause delays. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Stephanie Armour of KFF Health News, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Anthony Wright, the new executive director of Families USA, about his plans for the organization and his history working with Harris on health topics.
Care Gaps Grow as OB/GYNs Flee Idaho
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
July 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Not so long ago, Bonner General Health, the hospital in Sandpoint, Idaho, had four OB/GYNs on staff, who treated patients from multiple rural counties. That was before Idaho’s near-total abortion ban went into effect almost two years ago, criminalizing most abortions. All four of Bonner’s OB/GYNs left by last summer, some citing fears that the state’s ban […]
Connecticut Gov. Faces Pushback Over Medicaid ‘Managed Care’ Possibility
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gov. Ned Lamont, a Democrat, is reportedly facing pushback after exploring the idea of switching the state Medicaid program back to a model that some legislators say increased costs and reduced access. Also in the news: Michigan Gov. Whitmer outlaws gay, trans “panic” defenses; heat protections in California; and more.
Research Roundup: Physician PTSD; Hospital Infections; Progeria; More
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Different Takes: Kamala Harris Has Kids, No Matter The Political Hot Takes
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss these issues and others.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, July 25, 2024
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Hospital oversight, extreme heat, ACA, infant mortality, Harris’ focus on a care expansions, bird flu, HIV shot, and more are in the news.
Harris Indicates She’ll Push For Thwarted ‘Care Economy’ Expansions
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post covers language in two speeches by Vice President Kamala Harris that indicate she’ll push for legislation to expand paid family leave, housing assistance, child care and eldercare — Biden “care economy” initiatives that failed to pass because of political resistance.
Biden Says He’ll Work On Supreme Court Reforms During Last Months In Office
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden delivered a national speech Wednesday night outlining his priorities for the remainder of his presidency. He called for changes to the Supreme Court, which in its current form is reshaping many policy areas including health care.
US Infant Mortality Rates Grew 3% in 2022
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets were conflicted on whether it was a trend, but experts agreed it was a cause for concern. Also in the news: A federal appeals court has ruled that a group of Republican-led states does not have legal standing to get a court to impose restrictions on mifepristone.
Spread Of Bird Flu Might Be ‘Really Difficult To Control,’ Experts Find
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Although the risk of human-to-human transmission is considered low, studies of H5N1 reveal the virus can spread in multiple ways across species. They also question whether cow milk plays a big role in the spread. Meanwhile, 22 states and the District of Columbia are considered to be covid hot spots.
Study Finds Twice-Yearly Shot 100% Effective At Blocking HIV
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a study of 5,000 young women and girls in Africa, none of the patients who received the shots contracted HIV. NPR notes the trial generated controversy at the AIDS 2024 conference and prompted an expert group to recommend halting the blind trial and giving the lenacapavir drug to all participants.
