DEA Failed To Limit Wholesale Opioid Distributor, Worsening Crisis: Report
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
News reports say failures of the Drug Enforcement Administration allowed one of the country’s largest drug distributors, Morris & Dickson Co., to contribute to the opioid crisis even after a judge recommended it should lose its license. Other news relating to fentanyl is also reported.
Trans Patients Face Discrimination From Their Health Care Providers: Poll
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
A survey by The Washington Post and KFF also finds that nearly half of transgender adults say they have encountered ignorance about providing health care to trans patients, while 37% cite difficulty in finding knowledgeable medical personnel.
Discipline Hearing Looms For Indiana Doctor Of Child Rape Victim
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
An Indiana medical licensing board will hear allegations that an Indianapolis doctor should be disciplined for public statements she made after providing an abortion to a 10-year-old rape victim who had to leave Ohio for the procedure. Separately, a bill to limit “judge shopping” will be introduced by Democrats in Congress.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 25, 2023
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medical breakthroughs, Medicare, Medicaid, hospital finances, opioids, gun violence, abortion, transgender health, and more are in the news.
Implant Breakthrough Lets Man With Severed Spinal Column Walk Naturally
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
The technology implanted in a man paralyzed from the hips down had previously helped people with spinal injuries stand and take steps, but in this case spinal cord stimulators are activated by thinking about walking. Other nerve damage and paralysis news is also reported.
82% Of Floridians Kicked Off Medicaid Were Bumped Due To Red Tape
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
A quarter-million people in the state have lost coverage so far as states “unwind” their pandemic policies. State data show that most of those people are still eligible but lost coverage for procedural reasons such as having outdated contact info or computer glitches.
Many Worry Debt Default Would Affect Medicare, Medicaid Provider Payments
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover the looming potential of a U.S. debt default and how it may impact health provider payouts and hit the VA and veterans themselves. Separately, Military Times reports on a boost to cost-of-living payouts to veterans targeted for next year.
Biden Urges Renewal Of Assault Weapons Ban, Other Gun Controls
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
Marking the 1-year anniversary of the mass shooting at a Uvalde, Texas school, President Joe Biden called for “common-sense” gun measures like bans on AR-15s and high-capacity magazines as well as establishing universal background checks and national red flag laws.
First Edition: May 25, 2023
May 25, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Hospitals Seek a Broad Bailout, but They Don’t All Need It
By Samantha Young and Angela Hart
May 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As hospitals squeeze Democratic leaders in Sacramento for more money, health care finance experts and former state officials warn against falling for the industry’s fear tactics. They point to healthy profits and a recession-era financing scheme that allows rich hospitals to take tax money from poorer ones.
This Panel Will Decide Whose Medicine to Make Affordable. Its Choice Will Be Tricky.
By Markian Hawryluk
May 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Colorado’s new Prescription Drug Affordability Board could cap what health plans and consumers pay for certain medications starting next year. The process will pit patient groups against one another.
A Trans Teen No Longer Feels Welcome in Florida. So She Left.
By Stephanie Colombini, WUSF
May 25, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Josie sensed Florida lawmakers were threatening her health care and ability to be herself at school. So she left. Families of other trans youth are plotting exits as well.
Four Antibiotics Impacted By Manufacturing Issues
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments from the past week in KFF Health News Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Perspectives: Evidence In Favor Of OTC Birth Control Pill Adding Up
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent commentaries about pharmaceutical issues.
Viewpoints: Is Talking About Kids’ Mental Health Making It Worse?
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle mental health in the U.S.
Minnesota Lawmakers Expand State Health Insurance Program
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports that Minnesota has now joined states like Colorado and Washington, which have turned to public option plans to control health costs. Among other news, the Texas House voted to repeal the state’s “tampon tax” on menstrual products.
US HIV Infection Rate Dips Thanks To Young People, CDC Says
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
New Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates show a 12% drop in new HIV infections in 2021 compared to 2017. In other news, a study shows HPV doesn’t often transmit to babies during pregnancy, and cookie dough is blamed for a six-state salmonella outbreak.
More Americans Skipped Seeking Care Over Cost Concerns
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new Federal Reserve Survey says while the share of Americans who skipped medical treatment over costs hit a low during 2020 and 2021, it rose substantially last year. Also, fewer people in families with low incomes reported being in good health. Plus: hospital DEI programs, hospital mergers, and more.
Congress Hammers PBMs Over Drug Pricing
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
And sometimes Congress misses the mark. Meanwhile, CMS announces that it will audit annually the prices of drugs covered by Medicaid. And among news from the pharmaceutical industry, an explainer on why employer insurance plans discourage the use of Ozempic.
Long Covid Research May Help In The Fight Against Chronic Fatigue
May 24, 2023
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, a new U.S. study shows pre-infection covid shots are linked to lower odds of developing persistent symptoms. Bloomberg also reminds us that covid is still killing one person every four minutes. Also in the news: high blood pressure in Black Americans; and missing covid aid at the VA.