Drugmaker Mallinckrodt May Be Considering Exiting Opioid Business
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The pharmaceutical maker is one of the largest U.S. producers of prescription opioids, the Wall Street Journal reminds us, and it’s in talks with its investors about selling a portion or all of its business units. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, fentanyl overdose deaths are rising again.
Research Shows Obesity As A Cardiac Death Factor Has Been Rising
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association finds the number of adult American deaths from heart disease with obesity cited as a factor soared between 1999 and 2020. Meanwhile, CNN reports on WHO efforts to promote proper treatment for hypertension.
Judge Blocks California Youth Online Safety Law On Constitutional Grounds
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The temporary block happened because the California Age-Appropriate Design Code probably violates the First Amendment, the Washington Post explains. Modeled after UK legislation, it would require digital platforms to verify, before launch, if their products could harm young people.
‘Historic’ Health Care Worker Strike At Kaiser Permanente Looms After Vote
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Kaiser Permanente employees voted to authorize a strike against unfair labor practices, after recent votes by 68,000 staff members in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Southwest Washington. Also in the news: hospital mergers, environmental sustainability, and more. (Note: KFF Health News is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)
House GOP’s Stopgap Funding Plan Opposed By Own Members, Senate Dems
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Republican House bill to extend federal government funding for an additional 30 days past the Sept. 30 deadline faces stiff opposition from a handful of House conservatives. Even if it passed, Senate Democrats say they do not support such a measure.
Med Dosage Errors Among Young People With ADHD Have Soared: Study
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The study warns that over the past two decades, errors involving ADHD medications rose by almost 300% in people under 20 — mostly in cases of taking a medication twice. Separately, a study on MDMA as a treatment for PTSD could result in consideration for FDA approval by 2024.
Despite Warnings, New Covid Shot Prices Are Surprising Some
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Covid vaccines were free until the pandemic public health emergency ended. Even though some pharmacies have signs for “free” shots, insurers and patients are being billed for them. Meanwhile, Pfizer expects 1 in 4 in the U.S. will get shots this year.
Covid BA.2.86 Spreads Across States, But Outnumbered By Other Variants
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The variant is a “highly mutated” version of covid and has now been found in 10 states. It remains a rare source of covid cases, though, being outnumbered by other dominant variants. Meanwhile, the CDC has updated its map showing where covid is spreading through the U.S. population.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 19, 2023
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion laws, Medicare physician pay, covid vaccines and variants, health worker strike, opioids, obesity, and more are in the news.
Abortions Restart In Wisconsin — And Appointments Are Fully Booked
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
The state halted abortions 15 months ago when Roe v. Wade was struck down. Planned Parenthood offered abortions Monday at clinics in Madison and Milwaukee; every appointment was filled within 24 hours of announcing the news, AP reported. Other abortion news is from Florida and Indiana.
Lobbying Push Targets CMS Plan To Cut Physician Pay For Some Providers
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
CMS faces pressure from some health care providers to revise its proposed rule that would reduce Medicare physician fees for some specialists in order to boost payments for primary care physicians. Other Medicare news relates to savings programs, drug price negotiations, scams, and more.
First Edition: Sept. 19, 2023
September 19, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
¿Ahorrar miles de millones o quedarse con Humira? Intermediarios farmacéuticos guían hacia la opción más costosa
By Arthur Allen
September 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Humira lleva 20 años disfrutando de una exclusividad muy cara en el país. Sus competidores podrían ahorrarle al sistema sanitario $9,000 millones.
Save Billions or Stick With Humira? Drug Brokers Steer Americans to the Costly Choice
By Arthur Allen
September 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Thousands of patients with autoimmune diseases who rely on Humira, with a list price of $6,600 a month, could get financial relief from new low-cost rivals. So far, the pharmacy benefit managers that control drug prices in America have not delivered on those savings.
With Its Two Doctors Planning to Retire, an Alabama Town Patches Together Health Care Options
By Arielle Zionts
September 19, 2023
KFF Health News Original
LaFayette and other rural areas of the country tend to have high rates of health problems but not enough doctors. Many are adapting by investing in nontraditional prevention and treatment options.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Injects Presidential Politics Into the Covid Vaccine Debate
By Phil Galewitz and Daniel Chang
September 18, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Losing ground in the Republican primary, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and his top medical advisers dismissed the recent federal recommendation that almost everyone get an updated covid shot.
Viewpoints: More Steps Backward In Women’s Reproductive Rights; Did Your Brain Forget On Purpose?
September 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss reproductive rights, brain function, covid and more.
There Have Been Over 500 Mass Shootings In the US So Far In 2023
September 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
It’s just over 250 days into 2023. As of Saturday night there has been more than 500 mass shootings, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive, equating to around two per day. Separately, a new survey finds that Americans do want gun restrictions on those convicted of domestic violence.
Kansas Stops Allowing Gender Changes On Birth Certificates
September 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
Kansas’ Department of Health and Environment is citing a new law preventing the state from legally recognizing recognizing modified gender identities. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s first openly transgender political official has been elected.
Trump Calls Florida’s Six-Week Abortion Ban ‘A Terrible Mistake,’ Says He Wouldn’t Sign 15-Week Ban
September 18, 2023
Morning Briefing
In an interview that aired Sunday, former President Donald Trump refused to say what time frame he would support but said he would “negotiate something” with Democrats so that “both sides are going to like me.” It was unclear how or if his statement would affect conservative voters.