Medics at UCLA Protest Say Police Weapons Drew Blood and Cracked Bones
By Molly Castle Work and Brett Kelman
Updated May 16, 2024
Originally Published May 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In contrast to police statements, volunteer medics said they treated serious wounds as UCLA’s pro-Palestinian protest was besieged by police and counterprotesters, including some injuries that appeared to be caused by “less lethal” projectiles fired by cops.
California’s $12 Billion Medicaid Makeover Banks on Nonprofits’ Buy-In
By Angela Hart
May 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California’s Medicaid program is relying heavily on community groups to deliver new social services to vulnerable patients, such as security deposits for homeless people and air purifiers for asthma patients. But many of these nonprofits face staffing and billing challenges and haven’t been able to deliver services effectively.
Addiction Treatment Homes Say Montana’s Funding Fixes Don’t Go Far Enough
By Katheryn Houghton
May 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Montana has created a voucher program to help cover room and board costs at low-intensity residential programs for people with addiction. Those running the homes say bridging that care is urgent but that the program’s funding falls far below the need.
The Psychedelics-As-Medicine Movement Spreads to California
By Bernard J. Wolfson
May 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Ecstasy, “magic mushrooms” and other psychedelic drugs could soon be recognized as therapeutic in California — one of the latest states, and the biggest, to consider allowing their use as medicine. Legislation by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D) and Assembly member Marie Waldron (R) would allow the therapeutic use of psilocybin, mescaline, ecstasy and dimethyltryptamine […]
Insurers Brace For Expected Medicare Advantage Losses Next Year
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
CVS Health and Humana are making moves ahead of anticipated drops in Medicare Advantage memberships in 2025. Meanwhile, low Medicare Advantage pay further stresses rural hospitals.
Critics Highlight Health Implications Of North Carolina Protester Mask Ban
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Republican supporters of the proposed ban say it was triggered by student protests, but some note it could also limit how you can wear masks in public for health reasons. Also in the news: California’s Prop 1 fund allocations will begin in July, ahead of schedule.
Relyvrio Manufacturer Withdraws Ineffective ALS Drug From Sale
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Withdrawing the drug is actually Amylyx Pharmaceuticals making good on a promise to put patients first: In a large study, Relyvrio was found not to help patients who have Lou Gehrig’s disease. Among other news, Roche received FDA approval for its HPV self-test kits.
Viewpoints: Can The CDC Regain Public Trust?; Palliative Care Should Start Much Sooner
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss the CDC, palliative care, asbestos, and ‘digital twins’.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, May 15, 2024
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s roundup covers opioid settlement funds, medical debt, Medicare Advantage, medical supply tariffs, facility fees, masks, and more.
Number Of People At Risk From Extreme Heat Will Double By 2050
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
New research published Tuesday in Nature Communications explains the rising risk, coming from the combination of an aging population worldwide, alongside a warming planet Earth. Other climate news is on the hottest summer in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years and rules for physical education during extreme weather.
Biden Administration’s New Tariffs Include Chinese Medical Supplies
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
The White House announced Tuesday that it will increase taxes from zero to 50% on syringes and needles, and to 25% for personal protective equipment including respirators, face masks, and surgical gloves.
8,000 Women A Month Skirt Abortion Bans Via Telehealth, Survey Finds
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a legislative twist, an Arizona lawmaker’s vote helped reverse her state’s 1864 abortion law, which her husband, a judge, had previously reinstated.
32% Of Outbreaks Linked To Food That Could’ve Been Treated To Avert Illness
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Food irradiation, a safe and effective method to reduce foodborne illness, is not widely used in the United States, a study’s authors said. Meanwhile, sales of raw cow’s milk are on the rise despite FDA and CDC concerns about bird flu and other germs tainting the supply.
Study Links Some Sepsis-Treating Antibiotics With Higher Risk Of Death
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
A new study found that for some suspected sepsis cases treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics, a slightly higher risk of death resulted. Separately, researchers investigated inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in U.S. emergency departments.
First Edition: May 15, 2024
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An Arm and a Leg: Digging Into Facility Fees
By Dan Weissmann
May 15, 2024
Podcast
“An Arm and a Leg” is looking for listener stories about facility fees for a new project.
Why One New York Health System Stopped Suing Its Patients
By Noam N. Levey
May 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Most U.S. hospitals aggressively pursue patients for unpaid bills. One New York hospital system decided to work with them instead.
After a Child’s Death, California Weighs Rules for Phys Ed During Extreme Weather
By Samantha Young
May 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A California lawmaker wants the state to craft guidelines for how and when schoolchildren can play or exercise during extreme weather, including heat waves. The bill comes after a 12-year-old boy died after a physical education instructor told him to run as the temperature topped 90 degrees.
Tribal Nations Invest Opioid Settlement Funds in Traditional Healing To Treat Addiction
By Aneri Pattani and Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
May 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Hundreds of Native American tribes are getting money from settlements with companies that made or sold prescription painkillers. Some are investing it in sweat lodges, statistical models, and insurance-billing staffers.