Hospital-Acquired Infection Rates Fall Back To Pre-Pandemic Levels
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new report finds that preventable infections acquired in a hospital — which worryingly rose during the covid pandemic — have decreased. News outlets report on regional ratings.
First Edition: Nov. 6, 2023
November 6, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Science Says Teens Need More Sleep. So Why Is It So Hard to Start School Later?
By Catherine Sweeney, WPLN
November 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Sleep deprivation in adolescents is linked to mental health struggles, worse grades, traffic accidents, and more. That’s why states such as California and Florida have mandated later high school start times. But opposition to later times is less about the science than it is about logistics and costs.
As Transgender ‘Refugees’ Flock to New Mexico, Waitlists Grow
By Cecilia Nowell
November 6, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As many states have moved to restrict or ban gender-affirming care for trans people, a few states, including New Mexico, have codified protections. But those laws don’t always mean accessing care is simple or quick, as a surge in new patients in the state collides with limited doctors and clinics.
Medicare amplía su lista de profesionales de salud mental
By Judith Graham
November 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los prejuicios sobre las afecciones mentales y la discriminación por edad hacen que algunos profesionales no tomen en serio el sufrimiento de las personas mayores, profundizando las barreras de acceso a la atención.
Nursing Homes Say They Can’t Afford Higher Staffing. But Their Finances Are Often Opaque.
By Jordan Rau
November 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Perhaps the biggest mystery, as the Biden administration moves to force nursing homes to boost staffing, is this: how much extra money do the nation’s 15,000 homes actually have to hire and retain more nurses and aides? Public comments are due Monday on the most sweeping regulatory changes to hit the industry in decades. The […]
Viewpoints: America’s Mental Health Hasn’t Recovered From Covid; Do Vaccine Endorsements Change Minds?
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into mental health post-pandemic, celebrity endorsements, veterans, and more.
As Weight-Loss Drugs Help People Drop Pounds, Their Makers Make Bank
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are reporting booming sales from their diabetes treatments that have found use as weight-loss drugs — Novo’s quarterly revenues were up nearly 30% on year-ago figures. Among other news: a new antibiotic for gonorrhea; radiation therapy; and more.
More Than 4 In 10 Adults Don’t Know They Have High Cholesterol
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Over 40% of U.S. adults aren’t aware their cholesterol levels are too high and thus aren’t receiving treatment, a new study found. Meanwhile, as daylight saving time comes to an end, doctors are warning that seasonal affective disorder may start to grip more people.
TB Exposure Warning Issued For California Casino’s Staff, Customers
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Pacheco casino in Contra Costa County is the source of possible public exposure to tuberculosis over a five-year window, news reports say. Meanwhile, a second dengue case has also been confirmed in California, this time involving a patient from Long Beach.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on mental health, diabetes, the opioid crisis, anorexia, and more.
Senate Proposes Tackling Risky Fake Pills From Mexican Pharmacies
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
If a Senate appropriations proposal is approved, Secretary of State Antony Blinken would have 90 days to draft a report that would reveal, for the first time, key data on overdoses from fake pills sourced in Mexico. Also in the news: drug overdoses in schools; fentanyl deaths in Kansas City; more.
Indiana Supreme Court Reprimands AG For Remarks On Abortion Doctor
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
The court found Attorney General Todd Rokita violated lawyer professional conduct rules when he called Dr. Caitlin Bernard, the physician who performed an abortion on a 10 year-old Ohio rape victim, an “abortion activist acting as a doctor.” Rokita then doubled-down on his criticism of Bernard.
Congressional Panel Suggests How To Lower Ambulance Costs
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
The committee’s suggestions include banning surprise bills, limiting patient cost-shares, and making bills easier to understand. Meanwhile, in Minnesota, a new law means hospitals have to check if a patient is eligible for financial help before referring medical debt to collections.
Authorities Say 17 Poisoning Deaths In Pennsylvania Linked To Former Nurse
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A former nursing home worker is reportedly facing more murder charges after being initially accused of killing two patients with doses of insulin. Separately, the American Nurses Association told Congress this week that violence prevention laws could help tackle the nursing staff shortage.
Fewer High Schoolers Vape, But More Middle Schoolers Use Tobacco
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A CDC report released Thursday said 10% of high school students said they had used electronic cigarettes in the past month, down from 14% last year. The report also noted that about 90% of students who vaped said they used flavored products. Among middle school students, the rate of tobacco users increased from 4.5% to 6.6%.
Only Half The Women And Kids Eligible For WIC Got Food Assistance In 2021
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
A USDA report finds that only 6.2 million of the eligible 12.1 million people received benefits from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in 2021. The SNAP program is separately in the news as the new House speaker has been part of the push to overhaul the anti-hunger program.
Morning Briefing for Friday, November 3, 2023
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicare pay, medical debt, vaping, hunger, ambulance costs, overdoses, weight loss drugs, and more are in the news. Plus, weekend reads.
CMS Releases Final Rule That Would Cut Doctor And Hospital Pay Next Year
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
The final regulation is in line with proposed payment cuts that were published over the summer. Many doctors can expect to see a decrease in their reimbursements, unless Congress steps in. CMS also released another Medicare rule that moves forward with a plan to claw back funds from some hospitals to compensate for 340B overpayments.
First Edition: Nov. 3, 2023
November 3, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.