After $1B Donation, Johns Hopkins Medical School Is Now Free For Most
July 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Billionaire Mike Bloomberg, who earned a degree in engineering from Johns Hopkins in 1964, offered the gift in an attempt to ease the nation’s “serious” shortage of doctors. Free tuition begins this fall for any med student whose family earns less than $300,000 a year.
Credit Ratings Downgraded For Dozens Of Hospitals And Health Systems
July 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Although fewer organizations saw a dip this year compared to 2023, the ratings shine a light on the financial stresses of a challenging economy. Also in the news: gun violence, niche software providers, AI standards for health care, and more.
Sackler Family Members May Face Lawsuit From Purdue Pharma Creditors
July 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Gordian Knot that is the legal case surrounding Purdue Pharma’s role in the opioid crisis got an extra twist Monday when creditors asked a bankruptcy court for permission to sue the company’s owners. Meanwhile, baby formula maker Abbott faces a trial over its preterm baby formula.
Officials Eye Poultry Markets As Origin Of H5N1 In San Francisco Wastewater
July 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Additional bird flu virus particles also were detected in the wastewater in the California cities of Palo Alto and Richmond. Meanwhile, in Colorado, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis has declared a disaster for an egg-laying facility in Weld County after almost 1.8 million infected chickens had to be put down.
An Inmate Died During Extreme Heat Inside California Women’s Prison
July 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Advocates with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners blame extreme conditions inside the prison for the inmate’s death. Meanwhile, intense heat is suspected to have played a role in four deaths in Oregon over the weekend. Experts note that heat health risks linger even after temperatures drop.
New GOP Platform Barely Mentions Abortion
July 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Heading into the Republication National Convention, the party stripped down its stated desires, but not all are happy with the softened stance. Separately, at the state level, abortion-ban fallout and battles continue in Florida and Texas.
First Edition: July 9, 2024
July 9, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
From Dr. Oz to Heart Valves: A Tiny Device Charted a Contentious Path Through the FDA
By David Hilzenrath Holly K. Hacker
July 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The story of MitraClip, a device Dr. Oz helped invent to treat faulty heart valves, is a cautionary tale about the science, business, and regulation of medical technology.
GOP’s Tim Sheehy Revives Discredited Abortion Claims in Pivotal Senate Race
By Matt Volz
July 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In Montana’s U.S. Senate race, Republican Tim Sheehy made the false claim that his Democratic opponent, incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, supports abortion “up to and including the moment of birth.”
If Lawsuit Ends Federal Mandates on Birth Control Coverage, States Will Have the Say
By Sam Whitehead
July 9, 2024
KFF Health News Original
An ongoing lawsuit aims to set aside the Affordable Care Act’s requirements that insurers cover preventive care, such as contraception. If that happens, state reproductive health laws — varying across the country — would carry more weight, resuming the “wild West” dynamic from before Obamacare.
Florida ERs See Jump In Covid Cases, Nearing Last Winter’s Peaks
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
CBS News reports that Florida’s weekly average of emergency room patients with covid ranks among the highest of any state during this summer’s surge. Other covid updates are on the KP.3 variant, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, nursing home vaccination rates, and more.
Human Plague Case In Colorado: Warnings Include Looking After Pets
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
No details about the infected person have been reported. Fox News notes that plague is endemic among ground squirrels and rodents and that pets can be a vector. Other news is on measles, bird flu, and malaria.
Record-Breaking Heat Wave Sears West, Prompts Warnings For 10% Of US
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The heat wave is showing no signs of giving up, and, over the weekend, it caused deaths in the West, sent many to hospitals, and prompted excessive heat warnings for about 1 in 10 people in the country. Meanwhile, West Nile virus may be circulating more than usual.
Obesity-Related Cancers May Be Less Likely For Ozempic Patients
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
People who took GLP-1s for Type 2 diabetes were found to have lower risk for obesity-related cancers than people who were treated with insulin, a study found. Meanwhile researchers suggest that experiencing bright lights at night could lift your diabetes risk.
Viewpoints: Our Primary Care System Needs A Boost Before Next Pandemic; ‘Heartbeat’ Bills Cause Harm
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle primary care, infant mortality post-Roe, Alzheimer’s, and more.
Rule Requiring Faster Reporting Of Hacks Is Resisted By Health Industry
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Axios says the health industry’s reasoning for pushing back against a new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency rule is that it may actually hinder their responses during a crisis.
Insurers Bilked $50B From Medicare For Dubious Diagnoses, Review Finds
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
In its analysis of the Medicare Advantage program, The Wall Street Journal looked at details of “doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and other care.” Separately, a Stat review has found that more than two dozen Medicare Advantage insurers now qualify for big taxpayer-funded bonuses.
Conservatives Lash Out At Trump Over Possible Change To Abortion Platform
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reported that the behind-the-scenes disagreement over the Republican National Committee’s platform has become so tense in recent weeks that some social conservative leaders have issued public warnings of a coming split within Donald Trump’s coalition.
