How America Lost Control of the Bird Flu, Setting the Stage for Another Pandemic
By Amy Maxmen
December 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Exclusive reporting reveals how the United States lost track of a virus that could cause the next pandemic. Problems like the sluggish pace of federal action, deference to industry, and neglect for the safety of low-wage workers put the country at risk of another health emergency.
Readers Offer ‘Solo Agers’ Support and Reflect on Ancestors
December 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
‘Bill of the Month’: The Series That Dissects and Slashes Medical Bills
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
December 20, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Since 2018, readers and listeners sent KFF Health News-NPR’s “Bill of the Month” thousands of questionable bills. Our crowdsourced investigation paved the way for landmark legislation and highlighted cost-saving strategies for all patients.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': End-of-Year Chaos on Capitol Hill
December 19, 2024
Podcast
Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate successfully negotiated an enormous end-of-Congress health package, including bipartisan efforts to address prescription drug prices — only to see it blown up at the last minute after Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump applied pressure. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court accepted its first abortion-related case of the term, and the attorney general of Texas sued a doctor in New York for prescribing abortion pills to a Texas patient. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF President and CEO Drew Altman about what happened in health policy in 2024 and what to expect in 2025.
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December 19, 2024
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Federal ACA Marketplace Enrollment Lagging
By Julie Appleby
December 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
It’s open enrollment season for the Affordable Care Act — and there are ongoing challenges. First up, enrollment. New and returning sign-ups through healthcare.gov — the federal marketplace that serves 31 states — are well below last year’s rate. New enrollments were just over 730,000 in early December, compared with 1.5 million at the same time last year. To give consumers in those states more time to […]
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
RFK Jr. Open To Restrictions on Medication Abortion, Senator Says
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said Wednesday that during his meeting with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday, the HHS nominee pledged to support any effort to restrict mifepristone. Plus: What do Americans really think of Kennedy’s health policies?
Nation’s First Severe Case Of Bird Flu In Humans Reported In Louisiana
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC believes that the patient, who is in critical condition, may have caught it from a backyard flock. The patient is over 65 and has underlying medical conditions. Plus: California declares a state of emergency over bird flu; fewer antiviral drugs are being used in kids with the flu; and more.
Justice Dept. Claims CVS’ Push To Fill Prescriptions Fueled Opioid Crisis
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
On Wednesday, the DOJ accused CVS of using compensation incentives to push pharmacists to fill as many prescriptions as possible without assessing their legitimacy first. Meanwhile, big retailers providing health care look at ways to pivot in 2025; VA investigation into mental health providers; and more.
Authorities Say Wisconsin School Shooter Linked To Calif. Man Who Was Allegedly Planning Separate Attack
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
According to authorities and court documents, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow had contacted a man in California who allegedly was plotting a mass shooting at a government building. In other state news: questionable Medicaid payments in Indiana; Amazon One Medical gets sued; and more.
Supreme Court Will Hear South Carolina’s Case To Defund Planned Parenthood
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other reproductive health news: The future of President Joe Biden’s Gender Policy Council is unknown; Arizona’s governor wants to halt the collection of abortion data; BRCA gene testing can be lifesaving; and more.
Americans’ Average Life Expectancy Jumps By Almost A Year In 2023
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Life expectancy was 78.4 years last year — nearly 11 months longer than in 2022, USA Today reported. Other public health news is on the health risks of formaldehyde, brain-computer interfaces, microplastics, social media, and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 19, 2024
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bill of the month, Obamacare enrollment, Medicaid work rules, medication abortion access, bird flu, the opioid crisis, guns, and more.
US Health Spending Rose 7.5% In 2023 To $4.9 Trillion, CMS Says
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The growth was primarily spurred by private health insurance and Medicare, according to CMS officials. Spending on hospital care increased, as well. The UnitedHealthcare shooting is also in the news.
Congress Scrambles For Plan B After Trump, Musk Torpedo Spending Deal
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The stopgap bill was stuffed with unrelated policy measures, which President-elect Donald Trump blasted on social media as “[giving] the Democrats everything they want.” The clock is now ticking on a Friday night deadline for a federal government shutdown.
First Edition: Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024
December 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
He Went in for a Colonoscopy. The Hospital Charged $19,000 for Two.
By Harris Meyer
December 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A man in Chicago with a troubling symptom underwent a common procedure. Then he wanted to know why the hospital charged nearly three times its own cost estimate.
Obamacare Sign-Ups Lag After Trump Election, Legal Challenges
By Julie Appleby
December 19, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The number of new and returning enrollees using healthcare.gov — the federal marketplace that serves 31 states — is well below last year’s as of early December. Also, a Biden administration push to give “Dreamers” access to Obamacare coverage and subsidies is facing court challenges.
