CDC Relaxes Opioid Guidelines, Giving Doctors More Flexibility To Treat Pain
November 4, 2022
Morning Briefing
The CDC is updating and clarifying its 2016 guidance on opioid prescribing that many doctors and patients say led to untreated or undertreated pain. The new 100-page roadmap emphasizes greater flexibility for physicians in handling acute or post-surgical care as well as for treating chronic pain.
Hospital Giant HCA Fends Off Accusations of Questionable Inpatient Admissions
By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio
November 4, 2022
KFF Health News Original
The nation’s largest private health system, HCA Healthcare, has faced years of scrutiny over its share of emergency room patients who are admitted to the hospital. And now U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat from New Jersey, is calling for a federal investigation, prompting an escalating defense by the hospital system, based in Nashville, Tennessee.
First Edition: Nov. 4, 2022
November 4, 2022
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Centene Showers Politicians With Millions as It Courts Contracts and Settles Overbilling Allegations
By Samantha Young and Andy Miller and Rebecca Grapevine
November 4, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Centene, the largest Medicaid managed-care company in the U.S., has thrown more than $26.9 million at political campaigns across the country since 2015, especially focused on states where it is wooing Medicaid contracts and settling accusations that it overbilled taxpayers. Among its tactics: Centene is skirting contribution limits by giving to candidates through its many subsidiaries.
For Republican Candidates, Talk About Moms and Babies Is a Thorny Issue
By Emmarie Huetteman
November 4, 2022
KFF Health News Original
The abortion issue looms large over the midterm elections, and some in the Republican Party, long associated with efforts to restrict access, are looking to reassure voters they have women’s health in mind.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: ACA Open Enrollment Without the Drama
November 3, 2022
KFF Health News Original
The Affordable Care Act’s 10th annual open-enrollment period began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2023, in most states. But for the first time, the health law seems to be enrolling Americans with far less controversy than in previous years. Meanwhile, as Election Day approaches, Democrats are focusing on GOP efforts to cut Social Security and Medicare. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Julie Appleby of KHN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these topics and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Arthur Allen, who wrote the latest KNH-NPR Bill of the Month, about an old but still very expensive cancer drug.
California: propuesta de prohibición del tabaco aromatizado le abre paso a la pipa de agua
By Rachel Scheier
November 3, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Ante la prohibición de cigarrillos electrónicos y mentolados, surge una polémica sobre los narguiles o pipas de agua.
¿No has visto a tu médico en años? Es posible que tengas que buscar un nuevo doctor
By Michelle Andrews
November 3, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Muchas personas han estado postergando citas médicas, en especial durante la pandemia de covid, sin saber que corren el riesgo de perder a su doctor.
Viewpoints: Has Covid Finally Hit A Plateau?; Low Vaccine Rates Not Always Due To Hesitancy
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers weigh in on these public health topics.
Inspection Of Wisconsin Veterans Home Uncovers Multiple Violations
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
The state-run home was cited for six violations in its yearly inspection, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports, with past violations including infection control issues and medication mistakes. In Columbus, Ohio, officials pointed toward successes from an alternative 911 response scheme.
Providers Of Methadone For Addiction Treatment Warn About Expansion
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
Stat reports providers are warning advocates who favor expanded access to methadone to be careful — while the drug is effective for opioid addiction, expansion could backfire and even drive overdoses of methadone. Separately, Walgreens, CVS will pay a more than $10 billion opioid settlement.
Nonunion Strike Hits ACA Call Centers As Open Enrollment Starts
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
Also: doctors dropping patients off their lists, health tech care for underserved populations, rising cancer drug prices, and more.
Huge Fall In Abortion Numbers In Texas After Strict Ban: Studies
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
The Texas Tribune reports that the number of abortions in Texas fell from a “few thousand” to less than 10 after the near-total state ban came into place. Meanwhile, abortion rights protesters briefly interrupted arguments in the Supreme Court, and some providers turn to mobile units.
Bubbles In Covid Booster Vials Prompt Investigation In Switzerland
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
The country’s drug regulator Swissmedic said it was looking into risks from bubbles in vials of new omicron-targeting booster shots. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists FAQ says small air bubbles can be ignored, but larger ones can lead to underdosing.
Research Roundup: Diabetes and Alzheimer’s; Taxifolin; More
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, November 3, 2022
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
Thursday’s roundup covers monkeypox, amoxycillin shortage, Medicare, abortion, midterms, obesity, opioids, covid boosters, and more.
Physicians Prep Massive Lobby To Again Fend Off Medicare Payment Cut
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
Medicare is scheduled to cut physician payments by 4.5% in 2023. In previous years, lobbying efforts have averted such reductions required by previous laws. Now doctors plan to fight hard for Congress to pass short and long-term fixes. Other Medicare news reports on drug payments, false marketing, quality rules, and more.
Wegovy Injection Shown To Help Tackle Adolescents’ Obesity
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
Stat reports that the weight-loss drug had “dramatic” effects for young people diagnosed with obesity. NBC News says the weekly injections led to loss of an average of 14.7% of starting bodyweight. The drug is in short supply, but maker Novo Nordisk said broad availability is coming soon.
Child Respiratory Illness Surge Drives Shortage Of Amoxycillin
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
News outlets cover a supply crunch of one of the most commonly used antibiotics caused by high demand during a surge of respiratory syncytial virus infections in children. Separately, worries deepen over what could be the worst U.S. flu season in a decade.
Single Dose Of Psilocybin Improved Depression, New Study Finds
November 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
The study, called “the largest of its kind,” tested 233 adults in the U.S., Europe, and Canada. The patients entered a “waking dream-like” state that lasted four to six hours, Reuters reported.