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.
Worldwide Tech Outage Blamed On Software Bug Sent To Users’ Devices
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
After identifying what caused the shutdown, CrowdStrike is revising its protocol for rolling out updates. Also in the news: the mining of patient data, and the questionable use of medical codes.
Critics Question Health Care Impact Of Nurse Practitioners
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bloomberg examines the nurse practitioner boom, with a focus on how these types of health care staff members and their training are affecting the quality of health care.
First Edition: July 25, 2024
July 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Montana Looks To Become Latest State To Boost Nonprofit Hospital Oversight
By Katheryn Houghton
July 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Montana’s proposal to increase oversight is part of a national trend by states to ensure nonprofit hospitals act as charitable organizations as they claim tax-exempt status. But the state has yet to set standards for how much the hospitals must do.
California Speeds Up Indoor Heat Protections Amid Sweltering Summer Weather
By Samantha Young
July 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Indoor workers who toil in hot jobsites in California gain immediate protection from this summer’s extreme heat. The state’s worker safety chief announced finalized rules Wednesday, capping a years-long push by workers.
En medio de un verano abrasador, California acelera protecciones contra el calor extremo en interiores
By Samantha Young
July 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California ha tenido estándares para proteger a los trabajadores al aire libre del calor desde 2005, pero el estado anunció el miércoles 24 de julio que ya había acelerado la revisión de un conjunto de reglas para los trabajadores en interiores.
Oregon Senator Proposes Criminal Charges and Fines for Rogue Obamacare Agents
By Julie Appleby
July 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden introduced legislation intended to curb a growing problem in which consumers, without their consent, are enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans or their coverage is switched.
Planned Parenthood’s Push to Get Voters to the Polls
By Molly Castle Work
July 24, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Planned Parenthood’s political and advocacy organizations will use a more than $40 million war chest to blitz GOP officeholders and candidates in an effort to flip the House and maintain Democratic control of the Senate and presidency. The plan is to focus on the records of Republicans who have repeatedly voted against access to abortion, contraceptives, in vitro fertilization or gender-affirming […]
Army Rebukes Maine Shooter’s Superiors For Ignoring Health Concerns
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The disciplinary action against Sgt. 1st Class Robert Card’s superiors prevents them from advancing in their careers, Military.com reports. The investigation into the shooting rampage also revealed a civilian psychiatric hospital tried to have Card committed.
FDA’s Medical Device Chief To Leave Agency; Hospitals Struggling With Blood Culture Bottle Shortage
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Biden’s Decision To Step Out Of The Race Hits Home For Older Americans
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Older citizens and aging experts bring a well of empathy toward President Joe Biden for his decision, The Wall Street Journal reports, with many voicing support and others raising concerns of ageism. In related aging news: Retirement may get trickier the longer a person waits, and more.
Lawmakers, PBMs Play Blame Game During Tense Hearing On Capitol Hill
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Members of the House oversight panel blamed the PBM industry for high prescription prices, but executives from three major pharmacy benefit managers—CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx—pointed the finger at manufacturers.
Senators Press To Update Disabilities Law To Include All Tech Accessibility
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Proposed bill aims to shore up Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to include websites, software, and other infrastructure that was left out when the law was amended in 1998.
Steward Health Care Has Secured Bids For All Its For-Sale Mass. Hospitals
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gov. Maura Healey, a Democrat, told reporters she’d received qualified bids for all the hospitals in Massachusetts that the beleaguered for-profit chain was trying to sell during its bankruptcy proceedings. Plus: reports of staffing challenges and broken equipment at Steward.
As Bird Flu Spreads, Colorado Orders Weekly Testing Of Milk Supply
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, health officials are advising Americans to be aware of the seasonal spreads of hantavirus, West Nile virus, and dengue fever. Elsewhere, walnuts sent to food bank warehouses in Texas and Arizona have been recalled over listeria concerns.
Health Officials Confirm Wind-Down Of Federal HIV Meds Program
July 24, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Ready, Set, PrEP program will cease new enrollments at the end of July — its mission has been to distribute free HIV medication to the uninsured. Also in the news, FEMA is set to expand call center staff so it can cut down call waiting times.
