Senators Urge Bipartisan Action To Address Maternal Mental Health
May 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) team up to take on the high rate of maternal mortality. In other news, a study has found that SARS-CoV-2 is tied to severe maternal morbidity. Elsewhere, a Georgia OB-GYN thinks her state offers a cautionary tale regarding abortion bans.
First Edition: May 17, 2024
May 17, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Watch: John Oliver Dishes on KFF Health News’ Opioid Settlements Series
May 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A recent broadcast of “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” frequently cited KFF Health News in its examination of how billions of dollars from the opioid settlements are being spent.
Clean Needles Save Lives. In Some States, They Might Not Be Legal.
By Ed Mahon, Spotlight PA and Sarah Boden, WESA
May 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
As billions of dollars from settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors go to state and local governments, efforts to reduce the epidemic’s harm can be hamstrung by drug paraphernalia laws. Health authorities say distributing clean syringes to users can save lives, but in states like Pennsylvania, it may be illegal.
The Lure of Specialty Medicine Pulls Nurse Practitioners From Primary Care
By Michelle Andrews
May 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Nurse practitioners have been viewed as a key to addressing the shortage of primary care physicians. But data suggests that, just like doctors, they are increasingly drawn to better-paying specialties.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Bird Flu Lands as the Next Public Health Challenge
May 16, 2024
Podcast
Public health authorities are closely watching an unusual strain of bird flu that has infected dairy cows in nine states and at least one dairy worker. Meanwhile, another major health system suffered a cyberattack, and Congress is moving to extend the availability of telehealth services. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Atul Grover of the Association of American Medical Colleges about its recent analysis showing that graduating medical students are avoiding training in states with abortion bans and major restrictions.
States Are Failing New And Expecting Moms In Mental Health, Report Finds
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration’s plan to stem untreated conditions during pregnancy includes “data and research; prevention, screening and diagnosis; intervention and treatment; community practices; and community engagement.”
Experts Warn Of Energy Drink Health Risks For Youngsters
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other news, research shows certain vegetarian diets — including less-restrictive versions like a lacto-ovo diet — reduce risks of cancer, heart disease, and early death. And food safety regulators are looking into possible pesticide contamination in certain Indian spice blends.
Hawaii Study: Respiratory, Lung Issues Plague Many Maui Wildfire Survivors
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post and AP report on a new University of Hawaii study on the effects of the Lahaina wildfire. Researchers found, among other things, that up to 74% of the 679 people surveyed had elevated blood pressure levels, meaning a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Other news from around the nation comes from California, Missouri, North Carolina, West Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, and more.
Research Roundup: New Antibiotics; Phage Therapy; Avian Influenza
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Viewpoints: The Comstock Act Must Be Eliminated; Chronic Pain Sufferers Deserve Better Management Options
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle reproductive rights, chronic pain, bird flu, and health care hiring.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
“Less-lethal” projectiles, maternal health, overdoses, weight-loss drug costs, Medicare, covid, migraines, and more are in today’s news.
Annual Overdose Deaths Drop For Only Second Time In Decades Of Drug Crisis
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
CDC data show that the number of fatal drug overdoses in 2023 fell from 111,000 in 2022 to more than 107,000. The drop is a rare occurrence in the nation’s epidemic. One expert told AP that “any decline is encouraging,” but that it is “premature to celebrate or to draw any large-scale conclusions.”
Seeking Price Drop, Sanders Warns Wegovy Could Ruin Health Care System
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Americans are paying substantially more for popular weight-loss medications, a report released by Sen. Bernie Sanders’ office says. Separately, even though the price of anti-obesity drugs is high, Medicare could save about $500 million a year by covering them.
Spotlight Falls On ‘Two-Midnight Rule’ For Medicare Patient Hospital Stays
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports on how providers and Medicare Advantage companies are reacting to the new policy that allows more patient visits to be categorized as higher-cost inpatient care. Separately, reports explain how Blackstone Equity Healthcare is lowering costs.
Covid Research Group Loses Funding, May Be Banned Over Reporting Lapses
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
EcoHealth Alliance plans to contest the ruling by the Department of Health and Human Services. In other news, as funding for pandemic-era initiatives dwindles, the CDC’s program to provide uninsured adults free covid vaccines will end early.
PETA Condemns Xenotransplantation After Death Of Historic Kidney Patient
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
The transplant of a genetically altered pig kidney into a human was hailed as a milestone, but PETA’s Senior Science Policy Manager Julia Baines alleged the organ transplant was a failure in a statement. Massachusetts General Hospital said there was no indication the organ was related to the death of the patient.
Study Highlights Hospital Covid Death Risks As Higher Than For Influenza
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Scientists have estimated that during the past winter respiratory virus season, hospitalized covid patients were at 35% higher risk of death from any cause than patients with the flu. The risk is actually down, however, from the previous winter’s 61% figure.
First Edition: May 16, 2024
May 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Federal Panel Prescribes New Mental Health Strategy To Curb Maternal Deaths
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
May 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States — including suicides and fatalities linked to substance use disorders — stem from mental health conditions. Now a federal task force has recommended strategies to help women who are at risk during or after pregnancy.