MPOX: The Incoming, WHO-Approved Name For Monkeypox
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
The goal is destigmatizing the monkeypox virus, Politico notes. In related news, Stat reports on fresh analysis from U.K. health officials that shows that even one dose of the monkeypox vaccine provides strong protection against the virus.
For Pfizer And Merck, Grips On Covid Antiviral Market May Be Loosening
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
Read about the biggest pharmaceutical developments and pricing stories from the past week in KHN’s Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 23, 2022
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s roundup covers ACA enrollment, Fauci’s farewell, covid boosters, MPOX, flu/RSV “twindemic,” and more. Plus, holiday weekend reads.
White House Promotes New Covid Boosters As Winter Wave Looms
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
As the White House ramps up effort to promote omicron-specific booster shots, Dr. Anthony Fauci stressed that they are now known to offer better protection. The Department of Health and Human Services has also offered clinics $350 million for booster efforts in underserved communities.
CDC Data: Updated Boosters Protect Better Against Symptomatic Covid
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
The first data from real-world use, not lab testing, shows that bivalent shots tailored for the omicron variant do a better job than the original boosters. But uptake remains low.
ACA Enrollment Up 17% Over Last Year And Could Break Records, HHS Reports
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
Almost 3.4 million Americans have signed up so far for a 2023 healthcare.gov marketplace plan. And with new enrollees up 40% from this time last year, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told Axios that he anticipates a record-breaking year.
Health Misinformation Worries Ramp Up Amid Social Media Chaos
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
White House covid czar Ashish Jha says social media owners should take responsibility for fighting false information on their platforms, and he urged the public to check sources. Separately, Missouri’s attorney general will depose Dr. Anthony Fauci on Biden administration work with social media companies to suppress misinformation.
‘I Gave It All I Got,’ Fauci Says At Last Briefing Of 54-Year Service
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
Dr. Anthony Fauci is set to step down after 38 years as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. During his final White House briefing appearance he lamented that politics have divided people on covid vaccines and said he would testify at hearings planned by House Republicans when they take control next term.
First Edition: Nov. 23, 2022
November 23, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KHN’s First Edition is off for the rest of the week. Check for it next in your inbox on Nov. 28. Happy Thanksgiving!
A Work-From-Home Culture Takes Root in California
By Phillip Reese
November 23, 2022
KFF Health News Original
New U.S. Census Bureau data shows a large segment of Californians are working from home for part or all of the week. Researchers say the shift will ripple through the broader economy in ways big and small.
‘An Arm and a Leg’: When Insurance Won’t Pay, Abortion Assistance Funds Step In
By Dan Weissmann
November 23, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Privacy concerns and coverage limits have long made insurance an unreliable option for abortion access. For decades, abortion funds have been stepping in to help people pay for what they see as essential health care.
Trickle of Covid Relief Funds Helps Fill Gaps in Rural Kids’ Mental Health Services
By Christina Saint Louis
November 23, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Only a sliver of the funding given to state, local, and tribal governments through the American Rescue Plan Act has been steered to mental health nationwide, but mental health advocates and clinicians hope the money it provides will help address gaps in care for children. In Appalachian Ohio, the funding is helping expand services.
Viewpoints: How To Tackle Physician Burnout; Why Aren’t We Taking Steps To Control The Tripledemic?
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle physician burnout, the tripledemic, maternal health and more.
Needle-Vending Machine Launched In Southern Nevada
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
The goal of the free kits, the Las Vegas Review-Journal says, is to reduce the risk of HIV and hepatitis C. The Wall Street Journal also reports on efforts to dispense Narcan via vending machines to help combat the opioid overdose crisis.
LGBTQ+ Advocates Hail Colorado Police For Using Shooting Victims’ Pronouns
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
In other news on the shooting, The 19th reports on the impact of the event on the LGBTQ+ community. The Wall Street Journal notes the suspect had previously made violent threats. Also, House Democrats have called on the DOJ to act on anti-trans violent threats against children’s hospitals.
Climate Change Means Fungal Infections Will Be More Common
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
Areas where fungal infections typically occur are expanding as the climate changes. Also in the news, screening women for heart disease, updated lung cancer screening deadlines, seasonal depression, children’s anxiety, and more.
Doubt Cast On Northwest Bio’s Brain Cancer Vaccine Trial
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
Stat raises questions about the results of a clinical trial of Northwest Biotherapeutics’ brain cancer vaccine. Also, Merck’s purchase of Imago; how Hall-of-Famer Brett Favre helped an experimental drugmaker get funds; and more.
Health Systems, Patient Care Impacted By Rising Claim Denial Rates
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare draws attention to a “significant” rise in denied insurance claims over the past year, which has increased administrative work, reduced hospital cash flow, and delayed patient care. Separately, Axios reports on how medical inflation is affecting big employers.
‘Good Cholesterol’ May Have Less Health Benefit Than Believed: Study
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
A study finds that too little high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease for white adults, but not for Black adults.
First Long Covid Clinical Trial Tests Paxlovid As Possible Treatment
November 22, 2022
Morning Briefing
Researchers at Stanford University are testing if the antiviral can help alleviate symptoms of long covid. A separate study finds changes in the brain of patients 6 months after recovery from a covid infection.