Doctors Flock To Support Indiana Abortion Provider Punished Last Month
June 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
NPR reports hundreds of Indiana doctors voiced support for Dr. Caitlin Bernard, who was punished by a state licensing board last month after she spoke out publicly after providing an abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim. The doctors are concerned the board’s decision could set damaging precedents.
Didn’t Get A Bivalent Covid Booster? Your Immunity May Be Gone, CDC Says
June 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Only 20.5% of U.S. adults had received a bivalent booster dose as of last month, and most of that group received their last vaccine dose more than a year ago. In New York City, there’s wastewater evidence that suggests cases of covid may be rising there.
Cancer Researchers Report Promising Results In Various Drug Studies
June 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
3 drug study results presented over the weekend at the American Society for Clinical Oncology annual meeting show potential for treating certain forms of brain, lung and ovarian cancer.
Morning Briefing for Monday, June 5, 2023
June 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Cancer treatments, covid immunity, millions skipping medications, transgender health care, abortion access, and more are in the news.
Most Aggressive Treatments May Not Be Needed For Some Types Of Cancer
June 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Oncologists are finding that patients with rectal, cervical, or pancreatic cancer may have the same outcomes with less invasive or aggressive treatments.
First Edition: June 5, 2023
June 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Will a ‘National Patient Safety Board,’ Modeled After the NTSB, Actually Fly?
By Mary Chris Jaklevic
June 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A push is underway to create a National Patient Safety Board modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency that investigates plane crashes and other transportation disasters. But unlike the NTSB, some patient safety advocates say, the current proposal is toothless and wouldn’t provide transparency about the nation’s hospitals.
California Confronts the Threat of ‘Tranq’ as Overdose Crisis Rages
By Brian Rinker
June 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
California officials are stepping up efforts to combat the spread of xylazine, a powerful animal sedative that’s increasingly being used by people, often with devastating results. It’s mostly been an East Coast phenomenon, but ‘tranq,’ as it is known, is beginning to appear in the Golden State.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on pandemics, psychiatry, binge eating, the environment, and the toll of war.
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Found In Seaweed Bloom Nearing Florida
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
As well as smelling bad, the 5,000-mile-long sargassum bloom heading toward Florida and possibly Alabama contains Vibrio bacteria, a new study found. Separately, progress in legal recreational marijuana in Florida, warning over risks from extreme heat, and more.
Consumer Reports Says New FDA Apple Juice Arsenic Levels Too High For Kids
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The FDA just set a limit of 10 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic in apple juice, but Consumer Reports is reportedly arguing the level could harm children. Among other news, the gun violence epidemic, a spike in rare brain infections in children last winter, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, June 2, 2023
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Debt limit bill, CDC leadership, Medicare, cancer drug shortage, medical debt, flesh-eating bacteria, and more. Plus, weekend reads.
Spotlight On Software Racial Bias Amid Concerns Over Lung Cancer Diagnoses
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study suggests as many as 40% more Black male patients might have been diagnosed with breathing problems if software didn’t have a built-in racial bias. Also: underuse of lung cancer CT scans; genetics in testing for prostate cancer; AI identifying heart failure; and more.
A Minnesota Health System Withholds Care From Patients With Medical Debt
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports on what it calls a “step further” in aggressive tactics by hospitals to collect on medical debt: Allina Health System’s practice of withholding care from patients with unpaid bills. GenesisCare, Friday Health Plans, Compass Medical and more are also in the news.
Doctors Having To Ration Cancer Drugs Amid Shortages
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
ABC News reports on impacts ongoing drug supply shortages are having on cancer treatments, with some doctors having to decide which of their patients to treat. Also, Pfizer said an experimental combination of antibiotics is effective at treating some drug-resistant bacterial infections.
Medicare’s Demand For Patient Data On Alzheimer’s Drugs Spurs Debate
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
As part of plans to cover Alzheimer’s drugs like Leqembi, Medicare is also demanding patients’ doctors take part in a health agency database. Advocates say it will hinder its use. And other health experts question if such pricey drugs with modest successes are worth the cost and safety issues.
Biden Picks Ex-NC Health Secretary Mandy Cohen For CDC Chief: Sources
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Dr. Cohen also served under President Barack Obama as chief of staff at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. She helped implement the Affordable Care Act and new payment models at the agency, The Wall Street Journal said. Her selection to replace Dr. Rochelle Walensky won’t be formally announced until later in June, the sources said.
Debt Bill Passes Senate Unchanged With Just Days Left Before Default
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Senators voted down 11 amendments to the debt limit deal that would’ve required it to go back to the House, ultimately approving the bill by a 63-36 vote. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the package as soon as possible and will deliver a public address on the matter tonight.
First Edition: June 2, 2023
June 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.