Despite Restrictive State Laws, Number Of Abortions In US Remains Consistent
March 24, 2026
Morning Briefing
An estimated 1,126,000 people ended pregnancies in 2025, roughly the same number as in 2024, according to a Guttmacher Institute report. More people relied on telemedicine and fewer people were forced to travel to obtain abortions, the report suggests.
Congress Will Open Inquiry Into Alleged Hospice Fraud In California
March 24, 2026
Morning Briefing
In an announcement Monday, House Republicans alleged “rampant hospice fraud” in Southern California that is costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Other states making news: Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, and more.
18% Of Deaths Among Hospitalized Kids In US Linked To Sepsis: Study
March 24, 2026
Morning Briefing
The study was based on electronic health records and included data from nearly 4 million admissions from 2016 through 2023. Also: Axios looks at how the Trump administration’s visa policy may be sidelining possibly thousands of foreign-born doctors.
Highly Mutated Covid Strain That’s Lurking In US Could Cause Trouble
March 24, 2026
Morning Briefing
The BA.3.2 variant has been detected in wastewater samples from 25 states. The strain is “genetically distinct from the JN.1 lineages that have circulated in the United States since January 2024,” CDC researchers said. The current formulation of the 2025-26 covid vaccine targets the JN.1 subvariants — which means BA.3.2 might have the ability to evade protection from vaccines.
Eating Disorder Hospitalizations Fall To Pre-Pandemic Levels
March 24, 2026
Morning Briefing
Starting in October 2024, eating disorder-related hospitalizations among 8- to 25-year-olds dropped to about 350 per month, which is on par with the pre-pandemic period. Also: the impact of exercise on Alzheimer’s risk; sleep EEGs to predict dementia; and more.
CMS Ditching Antiquated Fax Machines For Claims-Related Documentation
March 24, 2026
Morning Briefing
With the exception of prior authorization, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is shifting to electronic submission standards for attachments and digital signatures. The agency expects to save $781 million annually with the change. Plus, the challenge of finding a new CDC director.
“Me engañaron”: agentes encadenan a un padre que había ido al ICE a reunirse con sus hijos
By Claudia Boyd-Barrett Renuka Rayasam Amanda Seitz
March 24, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Se supone que la agencia que cuida a niños que llegan solos al país deben reunirlos pronto con sus familias o cuidadores. Pero cada vez más los usan como “carnada” para arrestar a los padres.
First Edition: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
March 24, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
‘They Tricked Me’: A Father Was Chained After He Went to ICE To Reunite With His Kids
By Claudia Boyd-Barrett Renuka Rayasam Amanda Seitz
March 24, 2026
KFF Health News Original
The administration has largely converted the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement into an arm of immigration enforcement, detaining children longer while helping immigration officers arrest their parents or other family members. One father was chained when he went to an ICE office to discuss being reunited with his son and daughter.
Aunque tengas seguro dental, la factura puede ser muy alta
By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio Cara Anthony Katherine Ruppelt, Nashville Public Radio
March 23, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Una encuesta revela que 1 de cada 4 adultos con seguro dental reportó que el costo es una barrera para recibir atención.
OB-GYNs Urge More Insurers To Follow UnitedHealthcare’s Lead On Doulas
March 23, 2026
Morning Briefing
Some physicians say insurance coverage for doulas should be the norm. UnitedHealthcare was the first major insurer to offer the benefit nationwide, NBC News reported. Studies suggest doulas can reduce the rates of preterm births, cesarean sections, and postpartum depression. Separately, researchers see a link between midwife care and lower childhood vaccination rates.
Morning Briefing for Monday, March 23, 2026
March 23, 2026
Morning Briefing
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TrumpRx Adds Three More Medicines As Ninth Drugmaker Joins Platform
March 23, 2026
Morning Briefing
The discounted drugs from German manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim are Jentadueto and Jentadueto XR, for Type 2 diabetes, as well as the COPD drug Striverdi Respimat, NBC News reported. Plus, the effects of the Iran war on drug supply chains; a gene-therapy drug shortage; and more.
CMS Is Weighing Medicare Advantage As Recipients’ Default Enrollment Path
March 23, 2026
Morning Briefing
Individuals could still opt into a different insurance arrangement, according to Medicare Director Chris Klomp. Meanwhile, President Trump’s surgeon general nominee is still facing pushback.
Hospitals Offer A Record 44,344 Residency Positions On Match Day
March 23, 2026
Morning Briefing
That’s a 2.6% increase in positions offered compared with 2025, according to the National Resident Matching Program, though a slightly lower percentage of the offered positions were filled, compared with last year.
Makers Of Lyme Disease Vaccine Say It Has 70% Efficacy, Will Seek FDA’s OK
March 23, 2026
Morning Briefing
There are currently no Lyme disease vaccines approved for people; a previous vaccine from 1998 was pulled from the market after reports of adverse events and poor sales, The Washington Post reported. Plus: Leaders of Jehovah’s Witnesses announced Friday that they will allow church members to receive blood transfusions — with one caveat.
VA Worker Shot At Ga. Clinic Has Died; Gunman Sought Mental Health Consult
March 23, 2026
Morning Briefing
The victim was identified as Nicholas “Nic” Crews, 34, a social work case manager who had worked at the Jasper clinic for nearly three years. Crews died at the hospital a day after the March 17 shooting. His widow is 38 weeks pregnant with their third child, Military.com reported.
Algunos adultos de mediana edad deciden posponer la atención médica hasta tener Medicare
By Sam Whitehead
March 23, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Las personas con planes de ACA que están cerca de retirarse fueron de las más afectadas por los aumentos de precios luego de la suspensión de los subsidios federales mejorados, a finales de diciembre.
