Speaker McCarthy Proposes Limiting Access To SNAP Food Benefits
April 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Politico reports that fellow Republicans are skeptical that any of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s debt limit proposal measures, which aim to restrict food assistance for millions, will survive negotiations. Meanwhile, Iowa reportedly will “spend millions” kicking families off food stamps.
Moderna-Merck MRNA Vaccine Shows Promise Against Skin Cancer
April 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on a success for an experimental mRNA skin cancer vaccine developed by Moderna and Merck, where the drug is correlated with a reduced risk of death or recurrence of melanoma, the most deadly skin cancer, when administered alongside Merck’s Keytruda immunotherapy drug.
Over 14M People Will Lose Dental Coverage Amid Medicaid Unwinding
April 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Data compiled by an oral health think tank highlight another crisis lurking beyond the loss of health care coverage. As NBC News reports, those sounding the alarm about the issue point to numerous studies that link poor dental hygiene with a person’s overall health. Separately, the Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a case about Medicaid and Medicare overbilling.
Colorado Bills Enshrine Protections For Abortion, Gender-Affirming Care
April 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, signed a trio of bills into law Friday that aim to set Colorado up as a haven as neighboring states enact bans. Elsewhere in the state, a judge rules that a religious anti-abortion clinic is exempt from a third new law that bars medical professionals from using abortion-reversal medications.
No New Limits On Abortion Pill For Now, As Supreme Court Steps In
April 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Justice Samuel Alito issued an administrative stay Friday that pauses lower-court-ordered limits on federal rules around the distribution and use of mifepristone until the Supreme Court can review the case — which it’s expected to do this week.
First Edition: April 17, 2023
April 17, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
People With Down Syndrome Are Living Longer, but the Health System Still Treats Many as Kids
By Tony Leys
April 17, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The median life expectancy for a U.S. baby born with Down syndrome jumped from about four years in 1950 to 58 years in the 2010s. That’s largely because they no longer can be denied lifesaving care, including surgeries for heart defects. But now, aging adults with Down syndrome face a health system unprepared to care for them.
Journalists Track Opioid Settlement Cash and Fees for Telehealth Visits
April 15, 2023
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Different Takes: The Latest In The Battle Over Medication Abortion
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers tackle the current issues with medication abortion.
FDA To Update Opioid Warning Labels
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The prescribing information will now include a warning about increased sensitivity to pain, among other updates. Other news on the opioid crisis is reported from Florida, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Texas.
Nearly 90% Of Mpox Deaths In US Were Black Men
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The data show the importance of “equitable access to prevention [and] treatment,” said the CDC, which issued the report. Other news is on dengue, metapneumovirus, a rare fungal outbreak in Michigan, HIV, and malaria.
Missouri Attorney General Confirms Anti-Trans Rule Applies To Adults, Too
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Missouri’s new restrictions on gender-affirming care will apply to minors and adults, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Andrew Bailey said Thursday. The limits appears to be a first in the nation. Meanwhile in Nebraska, a transgender health care ban on minors advances despite a seven-week filibuster.
Scientists May Finally Know Why Some People Gets UTIs Over And Over
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Other research is on the link between hearing loss and dementia; how bears may provide the answer to treating blood clots; new football helmets that might prevent concussions; and more.
Military’s New Health Records System Requires Patients To Have Credit Card
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Military.com says the Tricare requirement appears to have gone into effect within the past five months. The process also requires undergoing a “soft” credit check to gain access to medical records. A Defense Department spokeswoman said it’s a way to verify identities, but users are calling it an invasion of privacy.
Another Deadly Pandemic Within 10 Years? Chances Are 28%, Analytics Firm Predicts
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Other news on the current outbreak reports on long covid, testing sites, treatments, and boosters.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on military medicine, covid, “superagers,” Havana Syndrome, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, April 14, 2023
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The abortion pill battle, Florida’s 6-week ban, Medicare spending, opioid labels, Tricare, the next pandemic, and more are in the news.
Medicare Advisers Back Changes Aimed At Lowering Drug Spending
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission unanimously voted in favor of three recommended changes that could impact the amount the program pays out for covered prescriptions drugs. Other Medicare news is on hospice, payments to hospitals, and more.
Biden To Make DACA Recipients Eligible For Medicaid And Obamacare
April 14, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden announced a plan Thursday to expand health care access under Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to an estimated 580,000 immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The move is expected to be resisted by Republicans.