Morning Briefing for Thursday, November 14, 2024
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Opioid deaths decline, GOP takeover of Congress and how it will affect health care, child poverty, bird flu, anti-vaccine warnings, and more
Opioid Deaths In US Fall To Lowest Level Since 2020
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC reports that opioid overdose deaths have dropped for a 12th straight month, with the decline being seen in a majority of states.
With Republican Trifecta Clinched, Health Care Policy Changes Loom
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Stat and Roll Call break down what GOP control could mean for ACA subsidies, Medicaid funding, Medicare, mental health services, drug pricing, and more. Meanwhile, aides to President-elect Donald Trump are looking at ways to bypass Congress on federal spending.
CDC, FDA Officials Warn Kids Could Die From RFK Jr.’s Anti-Vaccine Stance
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
In separate appearances, both CDC chief Mandy Cohen and Peter Marks, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, spoke about the consequences of not being vaccinated. “I like to be respectful of people’s opinions, but to me, this is not an opinion issue. It’s just black and white,” Marks said.
Virginia Democrats Push Ahead With Promise To Protect Reproductive Rights
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers are putting forward constitutional amendments to protect abortion access, marriage equality, and voting rights. Meanwhile, a Republican legislator in Ohio backs a measure to prohibit funding from flowing to those who provide abortions and to those who help in other ways.
US Gets D+ Grade From March of Dimes For Stubbornly High Preterm Birth Rate
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
The nation’s preterm birth rate, which last year was 10.4%, has not budged much in the past decade. Separately, a CDC report finds that babies born to Black moms die at a rate that’s more than double the rate of those born to white moms.
Medicare Paid $2B On Thousands Of Unessential Back Surgeries: Analysis
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other news, University of Illinois nurses strike; Baystate Health makes leadership cuts; St. Louis University tackles a lack of palliative care; and more.
Gaetz As Attorney General Would Sway Abortion, LGBTQ+ Health Laws
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
If confirmed to the top job at the Justice Department, the now-resigned Rep. Matt Gaetz would be in the position to decide what Affordable Care Act, emergency medicine, abortion, and LGBTQ+ laws the federal government would challenge or defend. Other Trump transition news relates to veteran health and gun violence.
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024
November 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
After Congress Ended Extra Cash Aid for Families, Communities Tackle Child Poverty Alone
By Kate Wells, Michigan Public
November 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The child tax credit passed by Congress at the height of covid has expired, but states and localities are trying to fill the gap with their own programs and funding. In Michigan, Rx Kids already covers every family with a new baby in Flint. Now, other communities aim to follow.
As California Taps Pandemic Stockpile for Bird Flu, Officials Keep Close Eye on Spending
By Don Thompson
November 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California health officials began providing protective clothing to farmworkers months before the state’s first bird flu transmission to humans was announced in October. It’s a reminder of the state’s struggle to remain prepared for health threats amid multibillion-dollar deficits.
California pone gafas, guantes y máscaras a 10.000 trabajadores agrícolas para protegerlos de la gripe aviar
By Don Thompson
November 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Hasta el momento, se ha confirmado la presencia de gripe aviar en más de 270 granjas lecheras en el centro de California. También detectaron rastros del virus en un sitio de muestreo de aguas residuales en el condado de Los Ángeles.
Tribal Leaders Ask Feds To Declare Syphilis Outbreak a Public Health Emergency
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
November 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
For Native American communities in the Great Plains, data paints a clear picture of the devastation caused by an ongoing syphilis outbreak. According to the South Dakota Department of Health, 649 cases of syphilis have been documented this year. Of those, 546 were diagnosed among Native Americans, who make up only 9 percent of the […]
St. Paul, Minnesota, Will Erase $40M In Medical Debt For 32,000 Residents
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, Illinois will receive a large opioid settlement; North Carolina makes progress in overdose rates; health advocates seek to extend insurance subsidies for young adults in Maryland; and more.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 13, 2024
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Mergers, Trump administration health priorities, veterans’ health, STIs, abortion access, medical debt, flu, and more.
UnitedHealth’s Attempt To Gobble Up Amedisys Challenged By DOJ, AGs
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
An antitrust lawsuit from the Department of Justice and some Democratic state attorneys general contends UnitedHealth’s $3.3 billion purchase of the home care company would limit competition and harm patients who need home or hospice care. Also, the American Medical Association wants greater oversight of nonprofit hospitals.
RFK Jr.’s Health Targets Extend To Food Toxins, Raw Milk, Stem Cells
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
While the question of how much influence Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will have on health policy in a new Trump administration is closely watched, news outlets explore the flashpoints on which Kennedy has previously focused, including raw milk, stem cells, heavy metals, fluoride, and food safety.
Trump Picks TV Host Pete Hegseth To Run Defense Department
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Hegseth, an Army National Guard veteran, is co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend.” He once led a group that sought to privatize health care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Wall Street Journal reported. Plus: More health conditions are added to the burn pit list.
