FDA Should Not Have Approved AvertD Test For Opioid Risk, Experts Say
April 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
A group of 31 experts in genetics, addiction, psychiatry, and medical-device regulation sent letters to the FDA and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, The Washington Post reported. The experts called the approval a mistake that relied on faulty science.
As Online Sports Betting Rises, So Do Calls To Gambling Addiction Lines
April 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
NBC News covers the rising mental health impact of the boom in online sports betting. Separately, in Maryland, lawmakers passed two sweeping privacy bills, one of which is aimed at breaking youths’ addiction to social media.
Kansas And Texas Are The Only 2 States Seeing Covid Infections Rise
April 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Just these two states, the CDC says, have had increases — or likely increases — since March 30. Elsewhere across the country, respiratory viruses are continuing to fade. Exercise and long covid are also in the news.
Trump Reveals Abortion Stance After Months Of Dodging Issue
April 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a video on social media, former President Donald Trump said it’s “up to the states to do the right thing.” In other news, Republican Wisconsin Senate candidate Eric Hovde appeared to soften his previously strict anti-abortion stance.
Watch Out For Eye Damage During Today’s Solar Eclipse
April 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover advice on how to avoid eclipse-related retina damage, highlighting the use of special equipment like eclipse glasses — except for the very brief, darkest moments when you’re in the moments of totality. The positive impact of the eclipse is also in the news.
First Edition: April 8, 2024
April 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Ten Doctors on FDA Panel Reviewing Abbott Heart Device Had Financial Ties With Company
By David Hilzenrath Holly K. Hacker
April 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Most of the doctors the FDA tapped to advise it on an Abbott medical device had financial ties to the company. The FDA didn’t disclose the payments.
Rising Complaints of Unauthorized Obamacare Plan-Switching and Sign-Ups Trigger Concern
By Julie Appleby
April 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Federal and state regulators are mulling what they can do to thwart this growing problem.
Journalists Assess the Risks of Bird Flu and the Impacts of Medicaid ‘Unwinding’
April 6, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
As Republicans Wrestle With IVF, the Biden Administration Expands Benefits
By Michelle Andrews
April 5, 2024
KFF Health News Original
While Republican lawmakers try to walk a fine line on in vitro fertilization — expressing support for the popular procedure, even as some of their supporters argue life begins at conception — the federal government expanded fertility benefits for millions of workers this year, including up to $25,000 a year for IVF. Many employers have […]
Judge: Border Patrol Responsible For Health Of Detained Migrant Kids
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Federal governments must take care of detainees regardless of whether they’ve been formally processed, a federal judge ruled Wednesday. Meanwhile, in Arizona, lawmakers OK’d major reforms for assisted living facilities, with standards enshrined in law.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on alcohol use, palliative care, PANDAS, and more.
Viewpoints: Here’s The Real Reason Behind High Drug Prices; How Worried Should We Be About Bird Flu?
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle pharmaceutical prices, bird flu, the post-Roe situation, and more.
Tenn. Gov. Sent Bill Requiring Anti-Abortion Group’s Video Shown In Schools
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
If signed, Tennessee would become the latest state to require that the “Baby Olivia” video, or equivalent, is watched by public school kids. The video has been criticized as political propaganda, and its accuracy is debated. Separately, a state court is weighing a request to block Tennessee’s abortion ban during pregnancy complications.
Opill Contraceptive Covered At Zero Cost For Some By CVS Caremark
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
The birth control pill will be added to CVS’ PBM subsidiary’s list of preventive services oral contraceptives so it will be available for free to many plan sponsors. Separately, a new study found over 1 in 8 new mothers said they’d experienced mistreatment during childbirth.
As Bird Flu Spreads To More Cows, Top Expert Explains Threat To Humans
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
“We have never seen this scale of infections in mammals, and in such diversity of mammals,” Dutch virologist Ron Fouchier, a leading expert on H5N1, told STAT. “Adaptation of virus to mammals is not a good thing.”
CMS: 2025’s Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Standards Are Set
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare says regulators will enhance Medicare Advantage “marketing, prior authorization, and network adequacy standards.” The publication also reports that higher fines are working to make more hospitals disclose pricing.
Scientists Find Cell-Squeezing Is Clue To Lung Damage From Asthma
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Cells lining the airways can be damaged to destructive levels by constriction caused during an asthma attack, a study found, giving a possible new route to prevent asthma lung damage. Separately, experts warn of a prostate cancer “surge.”
Hospitals Along Eclipse Path Prepare For Traffic Accidents, Eye Damage
April 5, 2024
Morning Briefing
Though millions of Americans will enjoy the upcoming total eclipse, increased traffic flow and potential “mass casualty events” mean that hundreds of hospitals have to be on high alert. Also in the news: a CPAP replacement, risks from junk food, and more.
