Deadly Holiday Weekend Of Gun Violence: 4 Days, 11 Mass Shootings
July 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Even before the spate of July shootings in Philadelphia, Fort Worth, Baltimore, and elsewhere, the U.S. was on track for the most gun deaths for this point in a year since 2006.
Maternal Deaths More Than Double Since 1999, With Highest Rate Among Black People
July 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
The state-by-state analysis found that Southern states had high maternal mortality across all race and ethnicity groups, but especially for Black patients, while Midwest and Great Plains states had the highest rates for American Indian and Alaskan Native patients.
First Edition: July 5, 2023
July 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
More States Legalize Sales of Unpasteurized Milk, Despite Public Health Warnings
By Tony Leys
July 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Distrust of public health authorities, who say drinking raw milk is dangerous, fuels demand for unpasteurized milk products, leaders on both sides of the issue say.
Patients Squeezed in Fight Over Who Gets to Bill for Pricey Infusion Drugs
By Samantha Liss
July 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
To drive down costs, insurers are bypassing hospital system pharmacies and delivering high-priced infusion drugs, including some used in chemotherapy, via third-party pharmacies. Smarting from losing out on billing for those drugs, hospitals and clinics are trying to convince states to limit this practice, known as “white bagging.”
An Arm and a Leg: Credit Card, Please
By Dan Weissmann
July 3, 2023
Podcast
What do you do when a medical provider asks you to provide a credit card upfront? In this episode, we hear advice about your options in this situation.
Journalists Discuss Floridians Being Dropped From Medicaid and Tips for Telemedicine Visits
July 1, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Georgia Begins Controversial Medicaid Expansion With Work Requirements
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports on the beginning of a new phase of Medicaid cover in Georgia, with coverage valid if you go to work or school. Critics say it’s expensive, and will include far fewer people than a full expansion. Meanwhile, the homelessness crisis in California shows signs of getting worse.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on abortion, cancer drugs, space travel, ultra-processed food, and more.
Walensky: Congress Must Help CDC Be ‘Nimble Agency Of The Future’
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Dr. Rochelle Walensky’s term at the helm of the CDC ends today, after what Stat calls a “bruising” 29 month tenure during covid. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a Q&A with Walensky, during which she sets out some of the goals and issues the CDC will face next.
7th Person Dies From Fungal Meningitis Linked To Mexican Clinics
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC is urging people who could have a potential fungal infection to undergo testing immediately, since the disease progresses quickly, The Washington Post said. Other news is on malaria, cryptosporidiosis, gun violence, and more.
Expect To Pay 7% More For Health Care Next Year
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
A projection from PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute says higher expenses are playing a part in the rise of health care costs. Among other health industry news: insurance claim denials, and hope that an AI system can detect early signs of dementia from someone’s speech.
FDA Approves Hemophilia Treatment, But It’s One Of The Priciest Drugs Ever
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The gene therapy, called Roctavian, is made by BioMarin Pharmaceutical. It costs $2.9 million and is infused just once. After the treatment, patients “should be free from having to really worry about this disease,” said Dr. Christopher Walsh, who directs Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s hemophilia program.
More People Are Being Diagnosed With Gender Dysphoria At A Younger Age
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Pink News reports a study showing the average age of gender dysphoria diagnoses has fallen from 31 in 2017 to 26 in 2021. Fox News says the study notes increased acceptance is playing a role. In Georgia, families have filed a lawsuit challenging a trans minor gender care ban due to come into effect.
After Texas Enacted Abortion Ban, 10,000 More Babies Were Born
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health evaluated births between April and December 200 and linked the passing of Texas’ restrictive anti-abortion law to 9,799 additional live births. Other reproductive health news is reported from North Carolina, Iowa and elsewhere.
Fatalities From Xylazine-Laced Fentanyl Are Soaring
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
CNN and Bloomberg report on the dangerous inclusion of the potent sedative in illegal fentanyl pills. The death rate from fentanyl found with xylazine present rose four-fold between January 2019 and June 2022. Also in the news, the complexities of anti-addiction medication and pregnancy.
CDC Approves Fall RSV Shots For Americans 60 And Over
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
CNN and AP cover a decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that gives the green light to two RSV shots for older adults, with expectations of fall availability. Meanwhile, new covid variant XBB.1.16 is overtaking XBB.1.15 worldwide, ahead of the arrival of refreshed vaccines.
CDC To Start Tracking Cronobacter In Wake Of Contaminated Baby Formula
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The CDC has added the pathogen to the list of infections for which it routinely gathers state and local data. Cronobacter sakazakii was the cause of illness in several babies as well as 2 deaths, and led to massive formula shortages after products were recalled.
Morning Briefing for Friday, June 30, 2023
June 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medical schools, RSV shots, privacy, maternal health, pathogen tracking, heat and smoke dangers, fentanyl, and more are in the news.