First Edition: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
October 22, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Mothering Over Meds: Docs Say Common Treatment for Opioid-Exposed Babies Isn’t Necessary
By Taylor Sisk
October 22, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Amid what has been called the fourth wave of the opioid epidemic, doctors and researchers are walking back medication-heavy methods of treating babies born experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms, replacing the regimen with the simplest care: parenting.
Morning Briefing for Monday, October 21, 2024
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Birth control coverage, Medicare drug plans, election previews, weight loss medication shortages, flu, RSV, dementia, and more are in the news.
Beneficiarios de Medicare gastarán menos en medicamentos en 2025
By Susan Jaffe
October 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
El período de inscripción anual para que los beneficiarios de Medicare renueven o cambien su cobertura de medicamentos, o elijan un plan Medicare Advantage, comenzó el 15 de octubre y se extiende hasta el 7 de diciembre.
More Reason To Get Vaxxed: Research Ties Dementia To Flu, Other Infections
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The new study, lauded as “a leap beyond previous studies,” found that severe infections can lead to long-term cognitive problems. In other news about the brain, the military has begun testing new ways to protect troops from the effects of blasts.
Cases of ‘Walking Pneumonia’ And RSV Are Increasing In Children
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC said the cases of Mycobacterium pneumoniae in kids ages 2-4 are notable because the illness “historically hasn’t been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group.” Plus: concerns about yellow fever, malaria, listeria, and more.
After Helene, Clean Water Is Main Concern In North Carolina
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Conditions are improving, but some nursing homes still don’t have running water. Also: prevention measures for overdoses and suicides, psychiatry options for the unhoused, and more.
FDA Backtracks; Pharmacies Continue With Knockoff Weight Loss Drugs
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports that intense public backlash and a lawsuit led the FDA to reconsider its declaration, made two weeks ago, that the shortage of weight loss drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound is over. The flip allows compounding pharmacies to continue making unbranded copies while the FDA reevaluates its decision.
Acadia Healthcare Under Scrutiny By VA Over Alleged Fraud Scheme
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
The psychiatric hospital chain is accused of extending stays of patients longer than medically necessary and profiting from U.S. insurance programs in the process. Other industry news covers a potential Cigna-Humana merger, elder care services, and more.
The Prospect Of RFK Jr. On Trump’s Health Policy Team Unnerves Some
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
“It scares the bejesus out of me because he is really, I would say, one of the big leaders in an anti-science philosophy that we see in this country — which is really concerning, deeply concerning,” one biotech investor says.
Biden Administration Advances Plan For Free OTC Contraceptives
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Birth control, condoms, emergency contraception, and other products would be covered by insurance under the proposed rule. “We have made clear that in all 50 states, the Affordable Care Act guarantees coverage of women’s preventive services without cost sharing,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
First Edition: Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
October 21, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Watch: ‘Silence in Sikeston & The Effects of Racial Violence’
By Cara Anthony
October 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News Midwest correspondent Cara Anthony talks about how racism affects health on Nine PBS’ “Listen, St. Louis with Carol Daniel,” stemming from her reporting for the “Silence in Sikeston” multimedia project, on the impact of a 1942 lynching and a 2020 police killing on a rural Missouri community.
Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cost More.
By Susan Jaffe
October 21, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.
Journalists Address Opioid Settlements, Undiagnosed ADHD, and a Georgia Chemical Fire
October 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media in the last two weeks to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Your Flu Shot Is Missing Something This Year — And You’ll Be Glad For It
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
NPR reports that the FDA is not including one of the strains of flu — B/Yamagata — in this year’s recipe because covid prevention initiatives appear to have pushed it into oblivion. Meanwhile, whooping cough reaches its highest spread since 2014. Have you updated your Tdap shot? You need it every 10 years, the CDC says.
Shingles Infection Might Play A Role In Dementia, Study Finds
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Researchers examine the cause and effect of the viral infection on the brain. In other mental health news, 988 crisis hotline callers will now be directed to nearby call centers.
Texas Sues Pediatrician, Alleges Illegal Treatment For Transgender Children
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton described the lawsuit as the state’s first enforcement action under a 2023 state law. Other news from around the nation comes from New York City, Michigan, North Carolina, and elsewhere.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
October 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on euthanasia, C. elegans, starch, an interview with Robert Califf, and more.
