As Long-Term Care Staffing Crisis Worsens, Immigrants Can Bridge the Gaps
By Michelle Andrews
February 3, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The industry has long relied on immigrants to bolster its ranks, and they’ll be critical to meeting future staffing needs, experts say. But as the baby boom generation fills beds, policymakers are slow to open new pathways for foreign workers.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Au Revoir, Public Health Emergency
February 2, 2023
Podcast
The Biden administration this week announced it would let the covid-19 public health emergency lapse on May 11, even as the Republican-led House was voting to immediately eliminate the special authorities of the so-called PHE. Meanwhile, anti-abortion forces are pressuring legislators to both tighten abortion restrictions and pay for every birth in the nation. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KHN’s chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Hannah Wesolowski of the National Alliance on Mental Illness about the rollout of the national 988 suicide prevention hotline.
Millones en riesgo de perder Medicaid, mientras terminan protecciones por la pandemia
By Phil Galewitz
February 2, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Los estados se están preparando para remover a millones de personas de Medicaid, a medida que expiran las protecciones que se implementaron al comienzo de la pandemia de covid-19.
A Canadian Province Decriminalizes Hard Drugs
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
In what AFP calls a “radical” policy shift, British Columbia is trying to tackle an opioid overdose crisis by decriminalizing possession of small amounts of hard drugs. Europe’s lagging pharma sector, a surge of covid deaths in Japan, and more are also in the news.
Research Roundup: MS; Candida Auris; Clinical Trial Recruitment; And More
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Concussed Children Benefit From Quicker Return To School: Study
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Previous guidance suggested keeping children with concussions out of school, resting in a quiet dark place. A new study suggests a different approach, and says keeping kids at home for longer delays recovery. Also in the news: breast cancer care after age 70, pain sensations from high fat diets, more.
Students In LA Permitted To Carry Overdose-Stopping Drug Narcan
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The move comes, the Los Angeles Times says, amid worries over the rising danger from illicit fentanyl. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Republican lawmakers blocked efforts from Democratic lawmakers to question the state’s health commissioner over cuts to HIV prevention and treatment funding.
NY Gov. Vetoes Bill For Emotional Damage Claims In Wrongful Deaths
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The bill, which AP reports had strong bipartisan support, would have allowed wrongful death lawsuits to include emotional damage claims, potentially inflating payouts from medical error cases in the state. Other news comes from San Francisco, St. Louis, Maryland and elsewhere.
FTC Fines GoodRx Over Sharing User Health Data With Big Tech
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on the first time the Federal Trade Commission has enforced its powers over health data breaches, fining GoodRx $1.5 million for sharing health data with data brokers, Facebook, Google, and others. Meanwhile, FDA warnings to sellers of unproven mpox drugs, and more.
CMS Signals That Medicare Advantage Payments Will Decline In 2024
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services previewed Wednesday its 2024 payments and rates for Medicare Advantage. While a rate increase is proposed, insurers could see an average 2.3% cut to baseline payments, Stat reports. The agency also released planned changes to Medicare Part D and the star ratings programs.
Majority Of Gun Deaths In US Are Suicides, Not Homicides, Study Finds
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Data show that 54% of gun deaths are suicides, Harvard Public Health reports. In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris calls for passage of the police reform bill while speaking at the funeral of Tyre Nichols; a D.C. Metro employee died Wednesday after trying to stop a gunman who was shooting at commuters; and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 2, 2023
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s roundup covers Medicaid, covid variants and treatments, abortion pills, Medicare Advantage, overdoses, mental health, and more.
Republican AGs Say CVS, Walgreens’ Abortion Pill Plans Are ‘Illegal’
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Hill reports on a letter sent by 20 Republican attorneys general alleging plans by pharmacy chains to distribute abortion pills by mail are “unsafe and illegal.” NPR, meanwhile, notes that a decision on access to abortion drug mifepristone lies in the hands of a Trump-appointed Texas judge.
Study Claims Merck’s Covid Pill Is Giving Rise To New Virus Mutations
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
A preprint study says mutations linked to the use of Lagevrio have been identified in viral samples taken from dozens of patients, Bloomberg reported. Merck disputed that its drug — which works by creating mutations in the covid genome — was causing problematic mutations, saying that researchers drew their conclusions from “circumstantial associations.”
First Edition: Feb. 2, 2023
February 2, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Pandemic-Era Medicaid Provisions Lapse, Millions Approach a Coverage Cliff
By Phil Galewitz
February 2, 2023
KFF Health News Original
States are trying to reach millions of Medicaid enrollees to make sure those still eligible remain covered and help others find new health insurance.
Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Guaranteeing Abortion Rights
February 1, 2023
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, in Indiana, the state’s high court said it wouldn’t immediately consider a religious freedom-based challenge to the state’s abortion ban, leaving the matter to an appeals court. And in Vermont, AP reports that lawmakers are considering bills to protect abortion and gender-affirming care providers.