Covid Antibodies From Infection, Shots In Nearly Every American Child
January 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show an estimated 96% of children ages 6 months to 17 years have covid antibodies — the CDC thinks nearly 66 million were infected with the virus. Also, the rate of Americans reporting long covid symptoms is slowing.
Extra SNAP Benefits Will End Nationwide In February
January 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
The emergency increases for food assistance, put in place during the pandemic, have already ended in 17 states, Axios reports. Local food pantries across the U.S. are bracing for an increase in demand. In other news, the White House on Sunday blasted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s intention to “strengthen” Medicare and Social Security, arguing that it was coded language to slash funding.
First Edition: Jan. 30, 2023
January 30, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Baby Spent 36 Days in an In-Network NICU. Why Did the Hospital Next Door Send a Bill?
By Harris Meyer
January 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A baby spent more than a month in a Chicago NICU. A big bill revealed she was treated by out-of-network doctors from the children’s hospital next door. Her parents were charged despite a state law protecting patients from such out-of-network billing — and sent to collections when they didn’t pay up.
When Gun Violence Ends Young Lives, These Men Prepare the Graves
By Cara Anthony
January 30, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Just outside St. Louis, a cemetery for children sits on a hill. A wooden, weather-worn sign welcomes mourners to “Baby Land.” The gravediggers who made the special spot work quietly in the shadows.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Part II: The State of the Abortion Debate 50 Years After ‘Roe’
January 27, 2023
Podcast
In Part II of this special two-part episode, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Sarah Varney of KHN join KHN chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss how the abortion debate has evolved since the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to abortion in 2022, and what might be the flashpoints for 2023. Also, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their most memorable reproductive health stories from the last year.
Some California Prisoners Can Get Limited Medicaid Care, CMS Says
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday that for the first time ever, some people in prisons, jails, or juvenile detention centers can access limited services 90 days before being released. In other news, disability rights activists have sued to block the CARE Court program.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on covid tests, Damar Hamlin, how to live to be 100, cooking help for people with disabilities, and more.
Federal Judge Limits Probe Into Providers Offering Trans Care In Fla.
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The judge partly limited the state’s effort to subpoena information from medical and mental health groups in Florida. The groups had opposed the state’s prohibition on Medicaid spending for gender-affirming care. Also, Obamacare enrollment in Michigan, heat deaths in Texas, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 27, 2023
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s roundup covers covid vaccines, CBD regulation, Medicare, cyber attacks, abortion, blood donation, and more. Plus, weekend reads.
FDA Will Ease Blood Donation Ban For Gay Men — If They’re Monogamous
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Also in the news, why inventing a vaccine for HIV is more difficult than covid, pressure for FTC scrutiny over two pharma mergers, how Congress may focus on drug company “middlemen” and pricing, heavy metals in baby food, biosimilars, and more.
Ransomware Gang That Targeted Hospitals Is Shut Down By FBI
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The group, called Hive, attacked hospitals, school districts, financial firms, and other organizations and is accused of extorting over $100 million to decrypt its ransomware. Efforts by the FBI, Justice Department, and European law enforcement have now shut Hive down.
Virginia Democrats Block Bills Limiting Abortion, Including 15-Week Ban
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The Thursday votes saw several bills defeated — including a 15-week abortion ban that is a priority for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican. Other news relating to abortion and maternal health comes from North Carolina, South Carolina, California, and other states.
At Least 102 Million US Covid Cases In The 3 Years Since The First
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
That’s 102 million reported cases — more than any other nation — CNN reports. Nearly 1.1 million Americans have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. Both figures are likely undercounts. Meanwhile, CIDRAP says global deaths are on the rise.
House Speaker Says Medicare Cuts Off The Table In Debt Ceiling Negotiations
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has assured that Medicare and Social Security will no longer be Republican targets in talks to strike a debt ceiling deal. In related news, a Republican study group eyes potential Medicare changes. And secret audits found millions in Medicare Advantage plan overpayments.
CBD Products Need More Regulation, FDA Says
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The agency will formally ask Congress for help on how to regulate the industry. Also Thursday, the agency denied petitions to market CBD products as dietary supplements.
Ineffective Against Current Variants, Evusheld’s FDA Authorization Revoked
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
The FDA withdrew authorization Thursday for use of AstraZeneca’s antibody drug Evusheld to treat covid as new strains have evolved past the therapy’s efficacy. If those variants subside, approval could be reconsidered the FDA said.
Vaccine Advisers Vote To Update And Simplify Future Covid Vaccines
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
By a 21-0 vote, members of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee recommended that U.S. covid vaccine strategy move toward a single covid shot. All manufacturers would update their formulas to match, making primary and booster shots interchangeable. The panel also supported the plan for annual vaccines, like the flu shot.
First Edition: Jan. 27, 2023
January 27, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.