First Edition: July 28, 2023
July 28, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In Wisconsin, Women’s Health Care Is Constricted by an 1849 Law. These Doctors Are Aghast.
By Sarah Varney
July 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
From the front lines of Wisconsin’s abortion battle, obstetricians describe patients who cannot comprehend having to carry nonviable pregnancies. And only one pharmacist in town can be found who will fill prescriptions for abortion pills.
Texan Activists Thirst for a National Heat Standard to Protect Outdoor Workers
By Colleen DeGuzman
July 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As much of the U.S. faces extremely high summer temperatures, Texas’ Republican governor, Greg Abbott, has taken steps that effectively eliminate mandated water breaks for construction workers. In response, protesters from the Lone Star State came to Washington, D.C., to press for federal protections for such outdoor workers.
His Anesthesia Provider Billed Medicare Late. He Got Sent to Collections for the $3,000 Tab.
By Phil Galewitz
July 28, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Medicare was supposed to cover the entire cost of his procedure. But after the anesthesia provider failed to file its claims in a timely manner, it billed the patient instead.
Bankrupt California Hospital Receives Lifeline From Adventist, Report Says
By Jonathan Weber
July 27, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Fresno Bee reports that Madera Community Hospital has reached an agreement with Adventist Health to take over the bankrupt facility and avoid liquidation.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Another Try for Mental Health ‘Parity’
July 27, 2023
Podcast
President Joe Biden is kicking off his reelection campaign in part by trying to finish a decades-long effort to establish parity in insurance benefits between mental and physical health. Meanwhile, House Republicans are working to add abortion and other contentious amendments to must-pass spending bills. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Céline Gounder about her podcast “Epidemic.” The new season focuses on the successful public health effort to eradicate smallpox.
Covered California reducirá los costos de los pacientes cuando los demócratas obtengan fondos de Newsom
By Angela Hart
July 27, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los líderes legislativos habían presionado a Newsom, también demócrata, para que canalizara los ingresos fiscales hacia la reducción de los costos de la atención sanitaria.
Research Roundup: Food Allergies And Asthma; Alzheimer’s; MDRO
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: Expanded Newborn Genetic Testing Can Save Lives; Cities Must Prepare For Extreme Heat
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss genetic testing, climate change, covid preparedness and more.
As Insurer Friday Health Plans Falls, Nevadans Need New Coverage
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The company is set to be liquidated in September, so over 2,800 Nevadans will need to find a new insurer. Meanwhile, in Michigan, the discredited practice of LGBTQ+ conversion therapy is banned for minors as new legislation is passed. Other news is from Arizona, New Jersey, and elsewhere.
UHS Admits To Cherry-Picking Patients With Higher-Paying Insurers
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The company is the country’s largest private psychiatric hospital operator, Stat reminds us. Its CFO admitted its patient selectiveness during a quarterly earnings call. Meanwhile, Axios reports that hospitals are still finding it hard to discharge recovering patients amid the ongoing staff shortages.
Factory That Fills Wegovy Shots Repeatedly Broke Sterility Rules
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Reuters reports that a factory involved in producing the blockbuster weight-loss drug has repeatedly breached sterile-safety rules and failed to perform quality checks, as found by FDA inspectors. Meanwhile, obesity drugs weren’t added to a list of essential medicines in the WHO’s latest update.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, July 27, 2023
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
PBMs and drug pricing, long covid, disability rules, opioids settlement funds, Medicaid, weight loss, insurers, and more are in the news.
Opioid Settlement Funds In Jeopardy From Bankruptcy Plan By Mallinckrodt, Hedge Funds
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal reports that drugmaker Mallinckrodt is talking to hedge funds about filing for bankruptcy and avoiding about $1 billion in payments intended to help people addicted to opioids — a plan that would allow the funds to keep a portion of the money themselves.
NC Governor Sets Medicaid Expansion Date For Oct. 1, Pressuring Legislature
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico reports on what it labels an “unusual move,” since state lawmakers have yet to approve the funding needed for expansion. It pressures the Republican-controlled legislature to either pass a budget or fund Medicaid. Other Medicaid news is from Minnesota, Virginia, and elsewhere.
Study: Some With Long Covid Have Cognitive Problems For 2 Years
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
A recent study found some patients showed reduced performance in tests for memory, reasoning, motor control, and more for up to two years. A separate study, reported in CIDRAP, shows wastewater surveillance may be the best way to spot community covid outbreaks.
Regulations Require Better Bathrooms On Jets For Those With Disabilities
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new regulations, from the Transportation Department, apply to new single-aisle aircraft with at least 125 seats and are aimed at improving accessibility. The New York Times notes the move is “long-awaited.” Also in the news: Amazon is criticized for failing to accommodate disabled workers.
House And Senate Committees Pass Bills Targeting PBM Practices
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Bills targeting the opaque and influential business practices of pharmacy benefit managers advanced out of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees Wednesday. But the Senate panel punted on moving ahead with more challenging measures.
First Edition: July 27, 2023
July 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Covered California to Cut Patient Costs After Democratic Lawmakers Win Funding From Gov. Newsom
By Angela Hart
July 27, 2023
KFF Health News Original
California’s health insurance exchange will reduce how much some patients pay for care next year, including hospital deductibles, appointment copays, and prescription drugs. Lawmakers pressed Gov. Gavin Newsom to make good on a four-year-old pledge to use proceeds from a tax penalty on uninsured people to help people pay for treatment.