Same Judge From Abortion Pill Case Is Hearing Planned Parenthood Lawsuit
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who in April blocked the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, heard arguments in a Texas case against Planned Parenthood yesterday. Separately, the appointment of the Navy’s first female leader is being held up by a senator’s protest against abortion.
Veterans Health Administration Close To Goal Of Hiring 52,000 More Workers
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Demand for care has swelled amid an increase in enrollment due to the PACT Act, which expanded VA care and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances.
Amazon Pharmacy Automates Discount Insulin Pricing For Eligible Patients
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Rather than making people manually enter a coupon code to access $35-a-month insulin, Amazon is choosing to apply some discounts automatically. Also in the news: a lawsuit against Walgreens concerning expensive hepatitis C drugs; cancer drug shortages; research monkeys; and more.
Less Than Half Of Those In Need Of Opioid Treatment Get It: Survey
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times covers a KFF study that showed less than half of U.S. adults with a substance use disorder have received treatment. Meanwhile, in San Francisco, data show that overdose deaths in 2023 could surpass the deadly total reached in 2020.
Investigation Finds Tiny Percentage Of Doctors Spread Covid Misinfo
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
An investigation into U.S. doctors who spread medical misinformation during the pandemic found perhaps as few as 52 were involved. Meanwhile, data show covid hospitalizations accelerating for the fourth week in a row. Also: A study found benefits from getting covid shots, boosters in the same arm.
As Children Return To School, Parents Fret Over Shortage Of ADHD Meds
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Many parents are spending hours each month tracking down their children’s medication from any pharmacy that might have it in stock. And some who usually buy generic brands are finding their insurance won’t pay for the brand-name version.
First Edition: Aug. 16, 2023
August 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
North Carolina Hospitals Have Sued Thousands of Their Patients, a New Report Finds
By Noam N. Levey
August 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
An analysis of court records by the state treasurer and Duke researchers finds Atrium Health, originally a public hospital system, accounted for almost a third of the legal actions against North Carolina patients over roughly five years.
Funyuns and Flu Shots? Gas Station Company Ventures Into Urgent Care
By Bram Sable-Smith
August 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A Tulsa-based gas station chain is using its knowledge of how to serve customers and locate shops in easy-to-find spots to enter the urgent care industry, which has doubled in size over the past decade. Experts question how the explosion of convenient clinics will affect care costs and wait times.
Feds Say Hospitals That Redistribute Medicaid Money Violate Law
By Samantha Young
August 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials are trying to clamp down on private arrangements among some hospitals to pay themselves back for the Medicaid taxes they’ve paid. State health officials and the influential hospital industry argue that regulators have no jurisdiction over the agreements.
An Arm and a Leg: How a Surprise Bill Can Hitch a Ride to the Hospital
By Dan Weissmann
August 16, 2023
Podcast
The No Surprises Act has helped rein in out-of-network medical bills, but ground ambulances are a costly exception. Hear why this service can still hit patients with big bills and what to do if you get one.
Viewpoints: At-Home BP Readers Can Be Wildly Inaccurate; Shifting Covid Rules Highlighted Role Of Alternative Treatments
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss home blood pressure machines, alternative covid treatments, RFK Jr.’s covid claims, and more.
Controversy As Opioid Settlement Cash Goes To Fund Police
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times notes that although billions in opioid settlement payouts come with “stacks of guidance” about how they could help drug addiction treatment and more, some money is controversially being spent on law enforcement. Other news includes trans health care, Indiana among the fattest states, and more.
Texas Lawsuit Seeks Punitive $1.8 Billion From Planned Parenthood
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Texas Tribune reports on a lawsuit it says seeks to “bankrupt Planned Parenthood” over alleged improper Medicaid billing. Meanwhile, though Texas has a strict anti-abortion law, the Dallas Morning News reports Texans are finding ways to get abortion pills by mail with out-of-state help.
Warnings For Those With Kidney Disease After FDA Aims At Less Salt
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
In April, the FDA proposed new salt intake recommendations aimed at lowering consumers’ salt intake, but patient advocates for those with kidney disease are alarmed because a key salt substitute could be harmful to some. Also in the news, the country’s first robot-assisted whole-liver transplant.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, August 15, 2023
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers the health issues facing people who live in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Sign up here!
As Other Cancer Treatments Improve, Radiation Use Fades: Report
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
A report in Stat explains that as physicians get new and better ways to fight cancer, oncologists are trying to use less radiation, including avoiding use at all for some low-risk tumors. Separately, Reuters says the FDA has approved Pfizer’s blood cancer therapy Elrexfio.
Electronic Payment Fees Divert Money To Middlemen, Not Care: ProPublica
August 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
An investigation by ProPublica alleges fees charged for processing digital payments to medical systems are likely diverting what could “add up to billions” toward insurers and middlemen rather than being spent on care. Also in the news: messaging Mayo doctors online could soon be billable.