First Edition: Nov. 17, 2022
November 17, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Blackfeet Nation Challenges Montana Ban on Vaccine Mandates as Infringement on Sovereignty
By Katheryn Houghton
November 17, 2022
KFF Health News Original
The Montana tribe has entered a legal fight over whether the state has the right to enforce a prohibition of vaccine mandates on its reservation.
How Banks and Private Equity Cash In When Patients Can’t Pay Their Medical Bills
By Noam N. Levey and Aneri Pattani
November 17, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Hospitals strike deals with financing companies, generating profits for lenders, and more debt for patients.
Fight Over Health Care Minimum Wage Yields a Split Decision in Southern California
By Rachel Bluth
November 17, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Voters in Inglewood were poised to approve a union-backed $25 minimum wage for workers at private hospitals and facilities, while Duarte voters rejected it.
Los mentores trabajan, sin límites, en la recuperación de adicciones
By Rae Ellen Bichell
November 16, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Los especialistas en apoyo a pares están ellos mismos en recuperación y se los contrata para ayudar a otros. Pueden vincularse con los pacientes de una manera distinta que los profesionales de salud.
Cómo el optimismo puede cerrar la brecha de cobertura de Medicaid
By Phil Galewitz and Daniel Chang
November 16, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Más de 2 millones de personas de bajos ingresos, la mitad de ellos en Florida y Texas, no tienen seguro porque están atrapados en una brecha de cobertura. Y sus estados no han expandido Medicaid.
Affordable Health Care To Become Constitutional Right In Oregon
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
Although voters narrowly approved the ballot measure, the Oregon Capital Chronicle notes there’s no prescription as to how to act on it. A settlement for a covid outbreak in a veterans home, LGBTQ+ discrimination, and more are also in the news.
Lung Risks From Smoking Marijuana May Be Worse Than Cigarettes: Study
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
Media outlets report on a study that found smoking pot to be associated with potentially worse lung damage than tobacco-only cigarettes. Meanwhile, in Kentucky, the governor signed an executive order to partly legalize medical marijuana.
A Billion Young People Are At Risk Of Hearing Loss, Study Finds
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
A new study published in BMJ Journal places the blame on exposure to loud sounds from devices and music venues. Separately, The New York Times reports on rising frustration over Philips’ response to CPAP device recalls. Also: mental illness diagnosis on TikTok, the power of pets, and more.
Staff Shortages Lead To Difficulties In Discharging Patients
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
Axios says the issue of delayed discharges for patients in post-acute care is prompting calls for per diem Medicare payouts to cover extended costs. Also: children’s hospitals’ doctors are rallying over working conditions as the RSV surge stresses the system, the Washington Post reports.
FDA Authorizes Roche Monkeypox Test; RSV Is Hitting Adults, Too
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
The test detects DNA from the monkeypox virus in swabs from people suspected of viral infection. In other news, CNN reports that RSV hospitalization rates are 10 times higher for seniors than usual — though still lower than for children. A measles outbreak is also spreading in Ohio.
White House Asks For $10B More To Battle Covid
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
The money is sought by the end of the year to go to new vaccines and treatments. But on Tuesday Senate lawmakers voted to end the federal covid emergency declaration. NBC News’ data analysis finds covid hospitalizations and deaths are falling in the U.S.
‘Amazon Clinic’ Will Offer Virtual Care For About 20 Non-Urgent Conditions
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
The new service will offer help for conditions such as UTIs and erectile dysfunction and creates another rival for online companies Ro and Hims. However, Amazon’s massive existing customer base could immediately set it apart.
Senate Report: ICE Forced Women Into ‘Unnecessary’ Gynecological Exams
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
The findings were the result of an 18-month, bipartisan investigation into complaints of invasive procedures from women being held at a detention center in Georgia. Democratic Ga. Sen. Jon Ossoff called it “one of the most outrageous things this subcommittee has investigated over the past two years.”
Preterm Births In US Climb To 10.5%, Annual Report Card Finds
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
The March of Dimes’ latest report card gives the U.S. an overall D+ grade for its rate of preterm births, which can lead to infant death and have negative long-term effects on child development.
Judge Strikes Down Georgia’s Stricter Abortion Law
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
The judicial order to cease enforcement of Georgia’s 6-week abortion ban takes immediate effect. The state’s attorney general office is appealing the decision.
Children With Pneumonia Could Use Fewer Antibiotics; Birth Control Pills May Affect Teenagers’ Brains
November 16, 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 16, 2022
November 16, 2022
Morning Briefing
Wednesday’s roundup covers abortion laws, preterm births, pot smoking risks, RSV in adults, covid funding, staff shortages, and more.