Viewpoints: Collaboration Needed To Tackle Superbugs; MedPAC Would Protect Patients From Surprise Bills
June 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss superbugs, medical billing, AI health applications, and more.
Surgeon General Urges Congress To Put Warning Labels On Social Media
June 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Dr. Vivek Murthy points to the effects of social media on children and teens, arguing that a warning label would convey “that social media has not been proved safe.” Also in the news: Stanford’s online misinformation research group may shut down; study suggests dads should be screened for postpartum depression; and more.
Core Electronic Health Records System Is Back Online After Ascension Attack
June 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Additional systems compromised in the cyberattack are still being worked on, the company says. Meanwhile, in the wake of the Change Healthcare cyberattack, Medicare and Medicaid patients will have extra time to file disputes over claims.
Fauci’s Memoir Reveals Covid Response Details, Highlights His Life In Service
June 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, writes in his new book that early in the pandemic, he worried that “we were in trouble if citizens were growing distrustful of the government’s approach to COVID.” His memoir hits shelves Tuesday.
US Patent Office Takes Aim At Pharma Industry Pricing Strategy
June 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is targeting “patent thickets,” a tactic used by companies to delay arrival of competing generic medicines, which typically cost less. Meanwhile, the CEO of Novo Nordisk is set to testify before the Senate about the high cost of Ozempic and Wegovy.
First Edition: June 17, 2024
June 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Montana Creates Emergency ‘Drive-Thru’ Blood Pickup Service for Rural Ambulances
By Arielle Zionts
June 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The network is aimed at helping rural patients, who face higher rates of traumatic injuries and death but may not live near a hospital with a stockpile of blood.
Americans With HIV Are Living Longer. Federal Spending Isn’t Keeping Up.
By Sam Whitehead
June 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Advances in medicine mean more people are living longer with HIV. But aging with HIV comes with an increased risk of health complications, and many worry the U.S. health care system isn’t prepared to treat this growing population.
Muchos adultos jóvenes que empezaron a vapear de adolescentes no pueden dejar el hábito
By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio
June 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
El marketing de las empresas de cigarrillos electrónicos, que promocionan atractivos nombres con sabores frutales similares a los caramelos, llevó a muchos adolescentes a probar el vapeo.
Tu deuda médica ya no afectaría tu historial de crédito
By Noam N. Levey
June 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Si se promulgan, nuevas reglas ampliarían drásticamente las protecciones para decenas de millones de estadounidenses agobiados por facturas médicas que no pueden pagar.
Federal Judge Blocks Trans Protections In 4 States
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden’s Title IX rules to protect transgender people from gender discrimination were temporarily blocked by U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty of Louisiana, a nominee of President Donald Trump. The judge said the rules were an “abuse of power.”
Guns Are Stored Insecurely At Home By Up To 43% Of Owners, CDC Study Finds
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
The issue has contributed to the high rate of unintentional firearm deaths among children. Also in the news: the Lewiston, Maine, shooting commission, melanoma, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on weight loss drugs, diabetes tech, marijuana, space travel, and more.
Viewpoints: Here’s How To Combat Vaccine Hesitancy; We Continue To See Negative Consequences Of Ending Roe
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle vaccine hesitancy, reproductive rights, and rural health care.
Bird Flu Outbreak In Dairy Cows Might Be Tough To Curb, USDA Reports Hint
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Agriculture Department documents note that even on farms that didn’t take in outside cattle, herds were contracting the virus and that it was likely a result of movement of workers and shared equipment. Meanwhile, a global health expert denounced the U.S. response to the outbreaks, saying it is “shocking to watch the ineptitude.”
Pentagon Ran Effort To Smear Chinese Covid Shots In Philippines: Reuters
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
A Reuters investigation revealed a previously unreported story about a secret U.S. military effort to attack perceived rising Chinese influence in the Philippines during the pandemic. The operation sowed doubt about safety and efficacy of Chinese-made covid shots and also attacked face mask quality and test kits.
Chronically Understaffed US Hospitals Saw More Covid Deaths, Data Indicate
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Covid survival likelihood was found to be related to hospitals’ pre-pandemic investment in nursing services. Separately, a nurses union representing staff at LA’s Riverside Community Hospital was fined $6 million for a strike that happened at the start of the covid pandemic in 2020.
Employee Mistake Caused Ascension Cyberattack
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
The simple mistake — accidentally downloading a file with malicious code inside — likely enabled criminals to access hospital system files that contained personal information, Ascension says. In other news: Heat shutters a Chicago ER, hospital-at-home services expand, and more.
Telehealth Execs Charged In Alleged Scheme To Bilk Pharmacies, Insurers
June 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Done Global’s founder and head doctor are accused of targeting patients seeking stimulants and “deceptive” advertising, the Justice Department alleges. As a result of the charges, patients in need of ADHD drugs and other stimulants might find those medications hard to come by.
