Morning Briefing for Thursday, January 5, 2023
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s roundup covers the swift rise XBB.1.5, abortion pills, Medicare, medication shortages, drug pricing, CPR, Alzheimer’s, and more.
‘As Scarce As Taylor Swift Tickets:’ The Saga Of Finding Children’s Tylenol
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Axios reports on why the shortage of children’s Tylenol and Motrin continues, much to the frustration of parents of young children. Other public health news touches on forever chemicals, ketamine clinics for mental health, marijuana use among young adults, and more.
Watchdog Finds That Gaps In CMS Oversight Cost Medicare Part B Millions
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Medicare Part B and its beneficiaries missed out on millions in savings related to drug payments, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General. HHS also issued a new rule on Medicaid reimbursements.
NFL Player’s Heart Incident Prompts Calls For More To Learn CPR
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover calls from doctors for more members of the public to learn lifesaving CPR techniques in the wake of Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest during a game Monday night. Hamlin is reportedly showing some signs of improvement, but remains in critical condition.
Walgreens, CVS Will Pursue Certification To Sell Abortion Pills
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Pharmacy giants Walgreens and CVS said Wednesday that they will take the regulatory steps to be able to dispense mifepristone, the first drug in the two-drug protocol of a medicated abortion. The decisions follow a new FDA rule allowing retail pharmacies to dispense the medication for the first time.
Biden, WHO Question China’s Covid Death Reports
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden and global health officials raised concerns that covid-related deaths are underreported and want China to be more forthcoming about the state of the crisis. In the U.S., local news outlets report that the virus is flaring in some regions while stable in others.
Growth Of ‘Most Transmissible Subvariant’ XBB.1.5 Worries Health Officials
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
The World Health Organization says the omicron strain XBB.1.5, which has become the dominant variant in the U.S. over a matter of weeks, could drive cases up. Dr. Ashish Jha, White House pandemic response coordinator, called its growth “stunning” but cautioned against panic. Scientists are working to determine if the subvariant also causes more severe illness.
First Edition: January 5, 2023
January 5, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
In North Carolina, More People Are Training to Support Patients Through an Abortion
By Claire Donnelly, WFAE
January 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
In the months since Roe v. Wade was overturned, training groups in North Carolina have seen an uptick in interest from people wanting to become abortion doulas.
Lost Sleep and Jangled Nerves: The Rising Onslaught of Noise Harms Mind and Body
By Rachel Bluth
January 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Noise pollution is a growing problem that isn’t confined to the ears: It can cause harm throughout the body. California is taking baby steps to address the increasing din from traffic and illegally modified cars, but public health experts urge lawmakers to act more boldly.
NY Docs Are Now Required to Prescribe Naloxone to Some Patients on Opioid Painkillers
By Michelle Andrews
January 5, 2023
KFF Health News Original
This strategy — now in place in at least 10 states — is part of an effort to curb accidental opioid overdose deaths by patients who take these powerful medications.
Muchas familias con cobertura de empleador inasequible ahora son elegibles para subsidios de Covered California
By Bernard J. Wolfson
January 4, 2023
KFF Health News Original
El gobierno federal ha corregido recientemente una controversial norma del Departamento del Tesoro vinculada a la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA), que denegaba la ayuda a muchas familias cuya cobertura basada en sus trabajos se salía de sus presupuestos.
CVS Opioid Settlement Will Give California $470 Million
January 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
The state attorney general’s office confirmed the payments, part of a multistate settlement, on Tuesday. Separately, Los Angeles County health officials have called for indoor masking to fight covid. Other news comes from Georgia, Mississippi, Colorado, Iowa, and elsewhere.
Perspectives: Opioid Crisis Is Hurting Chronic Pain Patients
January 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Startup Insurers’ Future Cast In Doubt Through A Poor 2022
January 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports on insurtech companies’ “failure to thrive” at a time when most health insurers are making record money. Separately, a report notes risks to patient data from cyberattacks. The Amazon-One Medical deal, LCMC Health, HCA Healthcare and more are also in the news.
Scientists: Social Media Habits Are Actually Changing Teens’ Brains
January 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
A study reported on by the New York Times is said to be among the first to try to correlate changes in brain function with years of social media use. Findings show social media checking leads to different sensitivities to social rewards among teens. Also: antibiotic resistance, covid research and more.
The Pandemic Is Still Hitting College Students’ Mental Health: Study
January 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
The study in France included nearly 45,000 college students and found high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression 15 months after the pandemic began. Meanwhile, the FDA has added sesame to the major food allergens list, among other news.
Senators Say Patients ‘Lured’ By Medical Credit Card Promotions
January 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
In a letter to banks that issue such cards, senators called out potentially deceptive marketing that can lead consumers into financial trouble. Other congressional news focuses on Medicare benefits and possible fallout from a 2018 law related to opioid treatment.
Covid Vaccine Misinfo Spread Online After NFL Player’s Collapse
January 4, 2023
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover “irresponsible” and “baseless” rumors circulating after the collapse of Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills, speculatively linking the event to Hamlin’s covid shot status. Other reports cover a possible cause: commotio cordis, a cardiac condition caused by a chest impact.