White House Overhauls, Streamlines Patient Complaint Process
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The goal is to make it faster and easier for the federal government to investigate patient complaints, such as being denied emergency care or an abortion. Separately, the Biden administration is pressured to quash fraudulent ACA enrollments.
Senators Accuse Pharmaceutical Firms Of Abusing Patent System
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
But an official from PhRMA, the drug industry’s trade group, said the current patent system has proper “checks and balances.” Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., shot back: “You think it’s working? Yeah, well, I don’t.” Other news from the Hill is on the farm bill and SNAP.
Four Years In, California Had Its First Day With Zero Covid Deaths
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other news, the CDC wants local and state authorities to continue monitoring flu activity at peak levels during the summer as concerns over the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus grow.
Spotlight On Opt-Out Fees As NewYork-Presbyterian Charges Union Fund $25M
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal writes about a $25 million fee charged by NewYork-Presbyterian hospital system to a major union benefits fund, which wanted to exclude the system from its plan over alleged high prices. The fee exists via Aetna’s contract with the hospital.
Minors’ Gender Care Banned In South Carolina As Governor Signs Bill
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Transition surgery, puberty-blocking drugs, and hormone treatments are now banned for all people under 18 in South Carolina, after Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, signed a bill that passed through the state legislature earlier this month.
In Just One Year, Over 1,000 People Called California’s Anti-Hate Hotline
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
The California vs. Hate network was launched last May in response to rising hate-related issues. Meanwhile, the California Senate passed a bill that addresses social media addiction in kids and teens.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Patient complaints process, abortion law, vaccine skeptics, drug patents, covid, STI infections, medical bills, and more are in the news.
Possession Of Abortion-Inducing Drugs Closer To Being A Crime In Louisiana
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
If signed into law, people without valid prescriptions could face five years in prison. Pregnant women who acquire the medications for their own use, however, would be exempt. Meanwhile, presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump walks back his statement about banning birth control.
First Edition: May 22, 2024
May 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
4 Ways Vaccine Skeptics Mislead You on Measles and More
By Amy Maxmen Céline Gounder
May 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Vaccine scare tactics haven’t shifted, but more parents are falling for them. Here’s what the rhetoric gets wrong and how it endangers children.
California Pays Meth Users To Get Sober
By Angela Hart
May 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California’s Medicaid program is testing a novel approach for people addicted to methamphetamine, cocaine, and other stimulants. For every clean urine test, they can earn money — up to $599 a year.
He Fell Ill on a Cruise. Before He Boarded the Rescue Boat, They Handed Him the Bill.
By Bram Sable-Smith
May 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A man from Michigan was evacuated from a cruise ship after having seizures. First, he drained his bank account to pay his medical bills.
Exclusive: Senator Urges Biden Administration To Thwart Fraudulent Obamacare Enrollments
By Julie Appleby
May 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
With tens of thousands of Americans already affected by enrollment scams that leave some without doctors or treatments, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden wants increased enforcement against rogue agents or other perpetrators and legislation to allow for criminal penalties.
I Was There When Bird Flu First Appeared. It’s Different Today.
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
May 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The H5N1 flu virus and I go way back. In 1997, I watched as more than a million chickens were slaughtered in Hong Kong to combat the first major global outbreak of the disease. Eighteen people were sickened by the virus and six died, all of whom had close contact with the birds. They were […]
UnitedHealth Teases New Value-Based Drug Pricing Model Coming In 2025
May 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
UnitedHealth’s OptumRx Clear Trend Guarantee is designed to help manage insurers’ costs for drugs, Reuters says. Under value-based models like this, everyone in the supply chain agrees to link payments for the drugs to the patient’s outcome.
988 Helpline Has Helped 10 Million People In Crisis Since Launch
May 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Boston Globe pays particular attention to Rhode Island, where over 33,000 calls have been answered, which has the country’s highest in-state answer rate. The hotline was launched in 2022.
Study Links Higher Fluoride Exposure In Pregnancy To Kids’ Behavior Issues
May 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also in the news: More seniors are making ER visits as legalized weed is approved in more places; a major study found that weed use by minors was lower in states where the drug was legal; paralysis treatment from a novel spinal cord stimulator; and more.
Viewpoints: US Policies Hinder Needed Immigrant Doctors; Here’s How PCPs Hope To Collaborate With AI
May 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle immigrant doctors, AI in health care, mental health, and more.
Over 1 Million Claims Granted Under PACT Act For Vets Exposed To Toxins
May 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The White House released the latest numbers related to 2022 PACT Act, which provides compensation and disability benefits for veterans who were sickened by toxic materials during their service. More claims are also in the works, with 4.17 million submitted over the past two years.
Bird Flu Spreads To Three Dairy Herds In Michigan, Cats In South Dakota
May 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a scientific breakthrough, researchers have developed a full genetic sequence of the H5N1 virus from milk. With this new information, they say they can better monitor the progression of the disease in dairy cattle.
