In Montana, Conservative Groups See Chance To Kill Medicaid Expansion
By Katheryn Houghton
October 31, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Conservative groups are working to undermine support for Montana’s Medicaid expansion ahead of a political fight over whether to keep the program.
Systemic Sickness
By Lydia Zuraw
October 30, 2024
Page
Featured articles More from the Project Related Articles Credits Reporters Fred Clasen-KellyRenuka RayasamLauren SausserAndy Miller Producers Lydia ZurawLynne ShallcrossOona Tempest Editors Sabriya RiceAlex Wayne Kelly JohnsonTerry ByrneGabe Brison-Trezise Social and Engagement Hannah Norman
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, October 30, 2024
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Snakebite bills, Medicaid ‘unwinding,’ maternal health, abortion ballot measures, futures of CDC and Medicare, and more
California County Extends Health Aid To Prisoners Reentering Society
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Santa Clara County’s Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative already has 100 youth and adults enrolled in the program, which offers medical and behavioral health services, officials say. Also: Florida’s low flu vaccination rate in nursing homes; Michigan teachers face health care rate hikes; and more.
Workplace Violence Nearly 5 Times More Likely For Health Care Workers
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Federal data show that health care workers are 4.9 times more likely to experience workplace violence than private industry workers, due in part to staff and resource shortages. Meanwhile, Walgreens continues with layoffs, cutting 3.6% of its support center team employees.
Hospitalizations Increased After Asthma Med Flovent Was Dropped
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
ABC News reports a 17.5% increase in asthma-related hospitalization in the three months after Flovent was discontinued and a 24.1% increase in the next three to six months. Other pharma news covers the IV fluid shortage, Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s drug Kisunla, weight loss drugs as an employer perk, and more.
Human Bird Flu Cases In Wash. And Calif. Bring Total To 36 Nationwide
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Nine new cases of human infection have been confirmed, but according to the CDC, all cases occurred on farms that have been affected by bird flu. In other public health news: respiratory illnesses on the rise; health impacts of climate change; and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Under A Trump Administration, CDC Could Face Deep Budget, Program Cuts
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Some conservatives want to downsize the scope of the agency or move areas of research to other government agencies. An added complication: It’s unclear how Donald Trump’s support of Robert Kennedy Jr. as a health adviser fits into the puzzle.
Harris Has Been Unwavering Advocate Of Reproductive Freedom. Here’s Why.
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
The New York Times digs into Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ record and history to explain why she is so passionate about the issues women face. Also, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Missouri weigh in on abortion election matters.
Delayed Miscarriage Care Led To Fatal Infection For Texas Mom
October 30, 2024
Morning Briefing
Josseli Barnica’s death could have been prevented, medical experts say, if doctors had intervened sooner and not allowed bacteria to enter her uterus. In California, a Catholic hospital and the state’s attorney general reach an agreement on emergency abortion care while a lawsuit moves forward.
For People With Opioid Addiction, Medicaid ‘Unwinding’ Raises the Stakes
By Kim Krisberg, Public Health Watch Stephanie Colombini, WUSF
October 30, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Medications such as methadone can cut the risk of a fatal opioid overdose in half. Medicaid covers the medication. But as state Medicaid programs reevaluated coverage of each enrollee following a pause in disenrollments during the covid-19 pandemic, some patients lost a crucial pillar of their sobriety.
Toddler’s Backyard Snakebite Bills Totaled More Than a Quarter Million Dollars
By Jackie Fortiér
October 30, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For snakebite victims, antivenom is critical — and costly. It took more than $200,000 worth of antivenom to save one toddler’s life after he was bitten by a rattlesnake.
Florida Medical Device Maker Exactech Declares Bankruptcy
By Fred Schulte
October 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The company faces more than 2,000 lawsuits alleging it sold defective knee and hip implants.
Post-Helene, Patients Who Rely on IV Nutrition Face Severe Shortages
By Arthur Allen
October 29, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Hurricane Helene, which struck North Carolina last month, wrecked a Baxter International factory that produced 60 percent of the country’s IV fluids, according to the American Hospital Association. The company is rationing its products, and some hospitals have delayed or canceled surgeries that require large amounts of IV hydration. Among the worst-hit patients are those […]
VR Treatment For Hallucinations Shows Promise In Ongoing Trial
October 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a new phase 2/3 trial, virtual avatars are being used to treat auditory verbal hallucinations, especially in people with schizophrenia (which affects 24 million people globally). Also: new health technology, health tracking apps, AI, and more.
Over $600 Million In Medicaid Funding For Special Ed Program Cut In Texas
October 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
The move is expected to worsen already strained care budgets for low-income students with disabilities in the coming year. More than 775,000 students receive special education services in Texas, though not all through Medicaid. In other news: California wants to ban slavery; mental health hotline for first responders; and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, October 29, 2024
October 29, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Halloween Haiku Contest results are in! Stay tuned to see cartoons of the top three winners on Thursday! 🎃
