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.
Study: Water Toxins At Camp Lejeune Linked To Vets’ Parkinson’s Risk
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
A water contamination crisis at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina decades ago has led to a 70% higher risk for developing Parkinson’s disease among Marines and sailors. Other reports note that the cleanup effort for “forever chemicals” around military bases is very underfunded.
Universal MRNA Flu Vaccine In Clinical Trials
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Also, the WHO warns against artificial sweeteners, and Philips says the vast majority of its recalled sleep apnea products are “unlikely to result in an appreciable harm to health in patients.”
Study: Masking Against Covid At Medical Facilities Is Wise
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Even after the lifting of the covid pandemic emergency, a study published Monday says that masks in medical offices are still a good idea. Meanwhile, a report in the Los Angeles Times notes that reductions of covid data reporting are making it hard to know how much covid is in your community.
CDC Warns Mpox Not Over And Is Spreading Person-To-Person
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminded doctors Monday that the mpox outbreak is not over. The agency is expected to soon reveal mpox vaccine effectiveness data. Separately, the case history of a fatal mpox case in Maryland is published.
Judges Set To Hear Appeal Challenging Mifepristone Restrictions
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
AP reports three conservative court judges who will hear arguments May 17 challenging recent abortion pill limits each have “a history of supporting restrictions on abortion.” Meanwhile, in North Carolina the GOP is planning a swift override of the governor’s veto of a 12-week abortion ban.
Medicaid Work Requirements Still Part Of Debt Discussions
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Republicans appear to be holding firm on wanting work requirements for Medicaid recipients as a condition for raising the debt ceiling. Other impacts of the United States defaulting on its loans are discussed.
Appeals Court Pauses An ACA Rollback
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
The decision temporarily blocks a lower court decision that stopped health plans from covering some preventive health care. In other news, President Joe Biden nominates National Cancer Institute Director Monica Bertagnolli to fill the long-vacant director slot at the National Institutes of Health.
First Edition: May 16, 2023
May 16, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Rural County’s Choice: Use Opioid Funds to Pay Off Debt, or Pay Them Forward to Curb Crisis
By Aneri Pattani
May 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Greene County, Tennessee, so far has received more than $2.7 million from regional and national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. But most of the money is not going to help people and families harmed by addiction.
Michael Milken Wants to Speed Up Cures
By Mark Kreidler
May 16, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In his new book, “Faster Cures,” the former “junk bond king,” now a philanthropist, promotes business principles as catalysts for medical breakthroughs.
Health Regulators Bar California Hospital From Treating Sickest Kids
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
Dozens of wide-ranging, serious issues in the John Muir Medical Center’s pediatric intensive care unit led to the barring of the hospital from treating some of the state’s sickest children. Also in the news: a Texas vote to bar trans care for minors, a rise in accidental ODs in San Francisco, and more.
Study: Remote Work Is Putting Pressure On Parents’ Mental Health
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
A new study says even though remote work is praised for a better work life balance, it’s taking a toll on some parents’ mental health. About 1 in 4 people say they sometimes go days without leaving their own house. Remote worker day drinking and drug use is also reported.
Cases In Chicago And France Stir Worries Of An Mpox Resurgence
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post notes that “small clusters” of infections have been found in people who were already vaccinated against mpox. Meanwhile, a dangerous heat wave is expected to continue along the West Coast; how a lab error led to a recall of salad greens over health concerns; and more.
Insurers Demand Prior Authorization For Colonoscopies
May 15, 2023
Morning Briefing
UnitedHealthcare requiring prior authorization will make it more difficult for patients to get endoscopic procedures. Cancer diagnostics and surveillance make up roughly half of the colonoscopies that gastroenterologists perform. In other health industry news, workers at five HCA Healthcare facilities in California have authorized a strike, and more hospitals are adding private police forces.