White House Ends Covid Czar Role As Pandemic Effort Ends
June 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Dr. Ashish Jha is thus departing next week. President Joe Biden thanked Jha for helping save millions of American lives. Meanwhile, the search for a unique strain of covid in Ohio, fatigue hitting long covid sufferers, and more are also in the news.
More States Will Feel Bite Of Wildfire As Smoke Wafts South And West
June 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Philadelphia got the worst of it Thursday, with its air quality hitting a hazardous 361 at one point, significantly worse than the levels in New York and Washington. (A number below 50 is considered “good.”) Meanwhile, experts warn that this event increases the risk of catching covid.
CMS Will Test Out Value-Based Model For Primary Care
June 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that it will test a new primary care model in eight states for a 10-year period. The experiment will weigh the concept of paying Medicare and Medicaid providers for the value of services, rather than the volume.
Morning Briefing for Friday, June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Supreme Court decisions, primary care payments, long covid, RSV vaccine, LGBTQ+ health, Alzheimer’s drugs, STIs, and more are in the news.
Supreme Court Upholds Medicaid Recipients’ Right To Sue States Over Federal Violations
June 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
In a 7-2 decision in the case of Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County v. Talevski, the Supreme Court justices preserved the civil rights of people who depend on initiatives funded in part by the federal government — such as Medicaid and programs that provide services for nutrition and disabilities — to sue states over enforcement violations.
First Edition: June 9, 2023
June 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Dental Therapists Help Patients in Need of Care Avoid the Brush-Off
By Christina Saint Louis
June 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Dental therapists are licensed providers who offer basic care traditionally provided by dentists, including fillings and simple tooth extractions. But opposition from interest groups and the profession’s relative newness mean more than two-thirds of states don’t yet have them.
Research Roundup: Covid; Cancer Vaccines; Dopamine
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Different Takes: Why Are There So Many Drug Shortages?; Compounded Ozempic Is Not The Same As A Generic
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers delve into drug shortages, popular drugs, pharmacy benefit managers, and more.
Teva Settles With Nevada Over Opioid Crisis Role: Will Pay $193 Million
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Nevada was one of two states, Reuters reports, that didn’t join a $4.35 billion settlement with the drugmaker over its role in the opioid crisis last year. Meanwhile, in Missouri, the Republican governor signed legislation banning trans minors from accessing gender care.
Skipping ‘Bad’ Sugar For Sucralose? The Sweetener Might Hurt Your Health
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Fox News covers a new study that links sucralose, found in popular zero-calorie sweetener Splenda, with damaged DNA, increased cancer risks and gut lining leaks. Separately, insomnia has been linked to a higher stroke risk for people under 50.
Chemo Drug Shortage Is Impacting Treatments Across The US
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on worsening shortages of some common cancer treatments, which are forcing doctors to switch medications and delay care. More than 90% of large cancer centers are reporting chemo drug shortages. Also in the news: retail pharmacies, Astellas Pharma, GSK, and more.
Google To Embed Generative AI Into Mayo Clinic Computer Systems
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The goal is to make it easier to search huge data pools of patient data, and also to automate administrative tasks. Meanwhile, failures of ChatGPT when it comes to health crises, AI’s role in improving predictions of breast cancer risks, and more are also reported.
Study: Reanimated Hearts From Deceased Donors OK To Transplant
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Stat and AP report on a study that shows that reanimating a heart from a patient who has died, then keeping it pumping in transport, results in just as good of a donor heart for transplantation as traditional methods. The breakthrough could allow more patients to receive the surgery.
At Global Forum, FDA Chief Clashes With Biotech Leaders Over Drug Prices
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf told the audience at the BIO 2023 convention, “The prices of drugs are too high in the U.S., and we have to come to grips with it.” Critics complained about provisions in President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, dubbing it the “Innovation Reduction Act.”
Possible Compromise Emerges In ACA Preventive Coverage Case
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
The legal to-and-fro over the Affordable Care Act’s preventive care coverage requirements for insurers has reached a possible compromise, AP reports. The Hill explains a panel of judges have given the two parties until Friday to submit terms of a possible agreement so coverage can continue.
Unless Winds Change, Unhealthy Wildfire Smoke Predicted To Linger
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on weather system patterns that suggest the blanket of smoke from Canadian wildfires will hang over the U.S. for days. Potentially unhealthy air quality conditions, particularly for vulnerable people like children who have asthma, are likely to remain.
First Edition: June 8, 2023
June 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.