J&J Covid Vaccine No Longer Available In US; Advances Made In New Antibiotic Creation
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KFF Health News Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine Trials Are Promising; ‘Sick Buildings’ Need Upgraded Air Quality Systems
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss a new cancer vaccine, indoor air quality, fat phobia, and more.
Arizona Reveals Plan To Tackle Medicaid Fraud
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
The AP reports that Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and other top state officials will target group homes, which they say have defrauded the state for hundreds of millions of dollars. Separately, Missouri officials unexpectedly terminated a rule that had targeted trans care.
Historically Black Medical Schools: ‘We Need To Train More Doctors’
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
The heads of historically Black medical schools met with Sen. Bernie Sanders in a roundtable at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta to discuss the nation’s health care workforce shortage. In related news, Connecticut doesn’t want mandated staffing levels for hospitals. Also, more developments and new ventures in artificial intelligence for the health care industry.
More Than A Quarter Of Americans Are Depressed
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
So says a new Gallup poll. A new study finds chronic pain is more common among Americans than other common chronic conditions like depression or diabetes. The NIH is starting a study of how genes and lifestyles influence weight. Also, a study on excessive deaths among Black people and that soft contact lenses may contain “forever chemicals.”
Amid Skyrocketing Demand, Insurers And PBMs Limit Weight Loss Drugs
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
With soaring demand for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, the Wall Street Journal says officials are moving to restrict access to some of today’s “buzzy drugs.” Some pharmacies are even offering unauthorized Ozempic alternatives.
FDA Says Pfizer’s Maternal RSV Vaccine Is Effective For Protecting Newborns
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
The vaccine is given late in pregnancy, and the FDA says it cuts the risk that newborns will need to see a doctor for RSV symptoms or be admitted to the hospital before 6 months of age. Media outlets report on the news, noting research that says covid public health measures may have boosted the resurgence of RSV.
White House To Push For Better Access To Naloxone
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Reuters reports that White House officials will try to meet with makers of the opioid overdose reversal drug, with the goal of improving access and reducing costs. Meanwhile, the University of Oxford will cut ties with the Sackler family after criticism over their links to the opioid crisis.
Work Requirements Remain At Crux Of Debt Negotiations
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Republicans don’t appear to be budging from their desire to have work requirements a condition of receiving health care coverage. But they want to boost spending for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
NC Lawmakers Override Governor’s Veto, Uphold 12-Week Abortion Ban
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new law comes into force July 1. In Montana, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte also signed more bills to limit abortion access. Also, a survey about tokophobia, the fear of childbirth.
First Edition: May 17, 2023
May 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
State Lawmakers Eye Forced Treatment to Address Overlap in Homelessness and Mental Illness
By April Dembosky, KQED and Amelia Templeton, Oregon Public Broadcasting and Carrie Feibel, NPR
May 17, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Democratic politicians in California and Oregon are reconsidering the restrictions of involuntary commitment laws. They argue that not helping people who are seriously ill and living in squalor on the streets is inhumane.
An AI Chatbot May Be Your Next Therapist. Will It Actually Help Your Mental Health?
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
May 17, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Given a dire shortage of human behavioral health providers in the U.S., it may prove tempting for insurers to offer up apps and chatbots to meet the federal mental health parity requirement. But artificial intelligence, by definition fake, can’t master the empathic flow between patient and doctor that’s central to therapy.
Lawyer Fees Draw Scrutiny as Camp Lejeune Claims Stack Up
By Michelle Andrews
May 17, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which became law last year, created a pathway for veterans and their families to pursue damage claims against the government for toxic exposure at the military base. Now, advocates and lawmakers worry high lawyer fees could shortchange those injured.
Study Reveals Staggering Toll of Being Black in America: 1.6M Excess Deaths Over 22 Years
By Liz Szabo
May 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The profound and painful loss — 80 million years of life, compared with the white population — is a call to action to improve the health of Black Americans, especially infants, mothers, and seniors, researchers say.
After Months Of Turmoil, Envision Healthcare Files For Bankruptcy Protection
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Elsewhere in health industry news, Thomas Jefferson University, a not-for-profit health system in the Philadelphia region, lost $177 million in the nine months ending in March; CommonSpirit cut jobs though it narrowed its quarterly loss; CVS Health will close its clinical trials operation; Dr. Edna Adan Ismail wins the Templeton Prize; and more.
Minnesota To Tighten Gun Laws
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Legislation that includes a “red flag” provision now awaits the signature of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, who is expected to sign it. Meanwhile, Tennessee goes in the opposite direction.