First Edition: Dec. 20, 2022
December 20, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
The Official Who Investigates Suspicious Deaths in Your Town May Be a Doctor — Or Not
By Samantha Young
December 20, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Across the country, there are no consistent requirements for the officials who investigate suspicious and unexpected deaths. Some have no medical training, others are doctors trained in forensic pathology. Washington, California, Illinois, and Georgia are among the states that have recently attempted to make changes — with mixed success.
Medicare Pay Cuts Will Hurt Seniors’ Care, Doctors Argue
By Michael McAuliff
December 20, 2022
KFF Health News Original
New reductions in Medicare payments in 2023 will drive more doctors away from accepting Medicare patients, physicians say. They are again pushing back on efforts largely designed to control government spending.
Inside a Children’s Hospital: Struggling to Cope With a Surge of Respiratory Illness
By Kate Wells, Michigan Public
December 20, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Pediatric cases of RSV and flu have families crowding into ERs, as health systems juggle staff shortages. In Michigan, only 10 out of 130 hospitals have a pediatric ICU.
Viewpoints: Paid Sick Time For Parents Can Stop The Tripledemic
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
A Defendant’s Medical Safety Shouldn’t Factor Into Their Bail, NH Court Rules
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
In other state health news: Avon Products has been hit with a $40 million damages bill in a California lawsuit targeting talc; Missouri churches are acting as child nutrition providers; the potential end of the mpox outbreak in Nevada; and more.
Alaska Misusing Institutionalized Mental Health Care For Kids: DOJ
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
The Anchorage Daily News covers a “major” Department of Justice investigation into care for children with mental health issues in Alaska, which found kids are “forced” into unnecessary care. Online pharmacy Truepill, ADHD in women, cyberbullying of teens, and more are also in the news.
Common Diet Supplements Useless For Lowering Cholesterol: Study
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
Six commonly used supplements, like fish oil or garlic pills, marketed for improving heart health did not lower cholesterol, compared with medication or placebo in a study. Potential heavy metal contaminants in dark chocolate and a ban on gas stoves are among other news.
Talk To Your Kids About Fentanyl Dangers, Says Ad Council Campaign
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
The new Ad Council and Meta Platforms effort aims to spread awareness of fentanyl dangers by having parents talk to their children. Meanwhile, reports say Minnesota and Maine are trying to cope with opioid treatment capacity shortages.
Massachusetts Hospitals Grapple With Serious Financial Woes
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
A Boston Globe report says many local hospitals, which had been hoping 2022 would mark a financial turnaround, are seeing their worst fiscal performance ever. Modern Healthcare says Mass General Brigham is looking at cost cuts after a financial loss of over $2 billion.
US Anti-Abortion Activist Dismissed From The Priesthood
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
Frank Pavone, leader of Priests for Life and once religious adviser to former President Donald Trump, has been dismissed from the clergy without possibility of appeal due to disobedience and blasphemy. Separately, reports say the pope prepared a letter saying he’ll resign if medically impaired.
New Covid Booster Does Better Job Of Keeping People Out Of Hospital: Studies
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
Two small studies indicate that the updated bivalent mRNA covid booster shots more effectively reduce the risk of hospitalization and severe illness than the original booster shot.
Hospitals In Los Angeles Have Few Beds For Sick Covid Patients
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said the number of available beds is at its lowest since the pandemic started. Across the state, hospitals in San Francisco are struggling to cope with staff shortages. Also: covid news from China and Africa.
‘Safe To Gather,’ But Get Boosted: White House’s Holiday Health Advice
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
As families prepare to gather for the holidays while covid cases climb in many areas, federal health experts say the top thing you can do to protect yourself is to get the latest covid booster shot. News outlets offer other tips for avoiding the surge of respiratory bugs like RSV and flu.
Morning Briefing for Monday, December 19, 2022
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
Monday’s roundup covers Medicare, covid boosters, safe holiday gatherings, flu, hospital shortages, abortion, opioids, and more.
Whew! The Early Flu Season May Have Peaked — But Is Another Wave Coming?
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
The CDC’s weekly influenza report showed that the percentage of outpatient visits to health care providers for respiratory illnesses has declined for a second week in a row. Meanwhile, some doctors across the country are reporting shortages of oseltamivir, a generic antiviral drug used to treat flu.
Ransomware Attack Drives Medicare To Issue New IDs For 254,000 Beneficiaries
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that as many as 254,000 IDs may have been compromised in an online attack of a subcontractor. Other news from the Biden administration reports on a homeless plan, executive orders, transgender health, and Title 42.
First Edition: Dec. 19, 2022
December 19, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
HIV Outbreak Persists as Officials Push Back Against Containment Efforts
By Taylor Sisk
December 19, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Research shows offering clean syringes to people who misuse IV drugs is effective in combating the spread of HIV. But an epidemiologist and advocates say state and local officials in West Virginia, home to one of the worst HIV outbreaks in recent years, have taken measures that render syringe exchange less accessible.
A Montana Addiction Clinic Wants to Motivate People With Rewards. Then Came a Medicaid Fraud Probe.
By Katheryn Houghton
December 19, 2022
KFF Health News Original
A complaint was filed with the state against an addiction treatment provider that wants to use rewards — an effective but largely unregulated tool — to help people stay in recovery.