Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
June 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on PBMs, special education, the Supreme Court’s Olmstead decision, gender transition, more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, June 21, 2024
June 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gun violence survivors, patient privacy, nurse visas, phony weight loss drugs, birth control access, and more. Plus, your weekend reads.
Judge Knocks Down HHS Guidance Against Hospital Web Trackers
June 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
A federal district court judge in Texas ruled that HHS did not have the authority to warn hospitals that website trackers are a violation of health privacy rules. The American Hospital Association challenged the guidance.
Government Pauses Processing Of International Nurse Visas
June 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The pause will be in place until fiscal year 2025, which Modern Healthcare says will leave “thousands” of qualified nurses in limbo even as health system staffing gaps remain. Apprenticeships, AI warnings for patients’ deteriorating conditions, and more are also in the news.
First Edition: June 21, 2024
June 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Sobrevivientes del tiroteo en el desfile de los Chiefs esperan las donaciones prometidas mientras acumulan cuentas médicas
By Peggy Lowe, KCUR Bram Sable-Smith
June 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Los costos médicos para los sobrevivientes del tiroteo son muy altos y no terminarán pronto. Según un estudio de la Escuela de Medicina de Harvard, el gasto médico promedio para alguien que recibió un disparo se eleva a casi $30,000 el primer año.
Super Bowl Parade Shooting Survivors Await Promised Donations While Bills Pile Up
By Peggy Lowe, KCUR Bram Sable-Smith
June 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Families of the people hurt during the Feb. 14 mass shooting are carrying what one expert calls “victimization debt.” In the third story of our series “The Injured,” we learn about the strain of paying small and large medical bills and other out-of-pocket costs.
California Leaders Tussle With Health Industry Over Billions of New Dollars for Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
June 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to pull funds earmarked for new investment in Medi-Cal to help plug California’s $45 billion deficit. A state budget passed June 13 by the legislature largely endorsed Newsom’s plan. Voters could settle the matter in an industry-backed initiative that has qualified for the November ballot.
How Two States Reveal a Deeper Divide on Insuring Kids’ Health
June 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Arizona and Florida lawmakers saw trouble ahead for children in 2023, with states slated — as the covid-19 pandemic waned — to resume disenrolling ineligible people from Medicaid. So, legislators in both states voted to expand a safety net known as the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, which covers those 18 and younger in […]
Haven’t Had Covid? Scientists Find How Nasal Cells Help In Dodging Infections
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Specialized immune cells may help some people reliably avoid catching covid. Separately, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that although initially closing schools during the pandemic was a good move, the shutdowns shouldn’t have lasted so long.
Preventive Task Force Urges More Intervention For Kids With High BMI
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is shifting its guidance on childhood obesity. The panel now recommends that physicians take behavioral interventions—though not with new GLP-1 drugs—for kids 6 or older with a high body mass index.
Novant Health Ends Effort To Purchase Two North Carolina Hospitals
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
A federal appellate court backed an FTC push to block Novant Health’s planned $320 million purchase from Community Health Systems. Meanwhile, Steward Health Care has pushed back its planned auction of eight of its Massachusetts hospitals by three weeks.
FDA Warns Dollar Tree, Says Retailer Didn’t Remove Tainted Applesauce
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Lead-contaminated applesauce pouches, linked to over 500 cases of illness in children, remained on some Dollar Tree shelves even after they’d been recalled, the FDA says. Meanwhile, scientists have detected microplastics in human penises for the first time, highlighting the spread of the material.
Bipartisan House Group Aims To Halt Chinese Supply Sources For Fentanyl
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
They will seek to boost sanctions, target money launderers, and explore trade reforms to cut off supply from China in an attempt to impact the opioid epidemic. Also in the news: limited military health care on Guam, a rise of streptococcal toxic shock in Japan, and more.
Research Roundup: Reused Masks Worn By Nurses At Start Of Pandemic Didn’t Properly Block Aerosols
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: How Likely Is It You’ll To Be Exposed To Bird Flu?; Ozempic Can Do Much More Than Weight Loss
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss H5N1, weight-loss drugs, pharmaceutical advertising, and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, June 20, 2024
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Uninsured rate, Medicare drug costs, covid variants, bird flu, cyberattacks, child obesity, lack of sleep, and more are in the news.
Rate Of Uninsured Americans Forecast To Reach 8.9% Over Next 10 Years
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
More than 25 million people currently lack coverage, CBO reports. Also, researchers found that ailing Americans spend roughly two weeks a year working among colleagues rather than staying home to tend to their illnesses.
Medicare Patients To Get Access To Amazon RxPass’ $5-A-Month Plan
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Amazon Pharmacy is extending its RxPass prescription plans to Medicare enrollees. The service allows customers to fill and have delivered as many prescriptions as they need from a list of about 50 generic medications—for $5 a month. Other Medicare news reports on its star ratings.
Massachusetts 911 Outage, Blamed On Firewall Glitch, Exposes System’s Risks
June 20, 2024
Morning Briefing
Although dispatchers couldn’t receive calls, they were able see the phone numbers of callers and reach out to them. Also in the news: Utah and Florida target transgender rules while Texas looks at maternal mortality and a memory loss care center.
