Viewpoints: Our Primary Care System Needs A Boost Before Next Pandemic; ‘Heartbeat’ Bills Cause Harm
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle primary care, infant mortality post-Roe, Alzheimer’s, and more.
Rule Requiring Faster Reporting Of Hacks Is Resisted By Health Industry
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Axios says the health industry’s reasoning for pushing back against a new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency rule is that it may actually hinder their responses during a crisis.
Insurers Bilked $50B From Medicare For Dubious Diagnoses, Review Finds
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
In its analysis of the Medicare Advantage program, The Wall Street Journal looked at details of “doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and other care.” Separately, a Stat review has found that more than two dozen Medicare Advantage insurers now qualify for big taxpayer-funded bonuses.
Conservatives Lash Out At Trump Over Possible Change To Abortion Platform
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reported that the behind-the-scenes disagreement over the Republican National Committee’s platform has become so tense in recent weeks that some social conservative leaders have issued public warnings of a coming split within Donald Trump’s coalition.
Citing ‘Personal Autonomy,’ Kansas High Court Affirms Right To Abortion
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Providers may perform dilation and extraction procedure as allowed under the state’s constitution, the court ruled. Meanwhile, a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in Arkansas is gaining momentum after groups supporting it collected enough signatures to make the November ballot.
First Edition: July 8, 2024
July 8, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Listen: How the End of ‘Roe’ Is Reshaping the Medical Workforce
By Julie Rovner
July 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In this episode of “The Indicator From Planet Money,” KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, reports on how the medical labor force is changing post-Roe v. Wade and why graduating medical students, from OB-GYNs to pediatricians, are avoiding training in states with abortion bans.
Abortion and the 2024 Election: A Video Primer
By Julie Rovner Rachana Pradhan
Video by Hannah Norman
July 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The first presidential election since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago takes place in November, and abortion is sure to play a key role.
Planned Parenthood to Blitz GOP Seats, Betting Abortion Fears Can Sway Voters
By Molly Castle Work
July 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The reproductive rights organization hopes to oust GOP incumbents from key California congressional seats by highlighting the possibility of a national abortion ban. A state Republican official calls it a swing and a miss, noting that, under Democrats, hospitals have closed maternity wards and filed for bankruptcy.
Planned Parenthood enfrenta a los republicanos y espera captar el apoyo de los votantes
By Molly Castle Work
July 8, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Esta ofensiva estratégica es parte de un esfuerzo nacional más amplio del grupo de derechos reproductivos, que se propone evitar que una mayoría republicana apruebe restricciones al derecho al aborto, incluida una prohibición nacional.
CDC Reports Fourth US Dairy Worker Bird Flu Infection; First in Colorado
July 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC said Wednesday that a fourth person has been infected with bird flu in the U.S. this year. The person, who works on a dairy farm in Colorado, experienced eye inflammation, and recovered after treatment. The other three cases, in Texas and Michigan, were mild and linked to dairy farms as well. The CDC said in a statement that it continues to regard the ongoing bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle as a low risk to the general public.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': SCOTUS Term Wraps With a Bang
July 3, 2024
Podcast
The Supreme Court has issued its final opinions for the 2023-24 term, including decisions affecting abortion access, the opioid epidemic, and how the federal government functions. In this special episode, Sarah Somers , legal director of the National Health Law Program, joins KFF Health News’ chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, to discuss how the justices disposed of the term’s health-related cases and what those decisions could mean going forward.
Two Rival Hospitals Want To Join Forces. Will Patients Lose?
By Samantha Liss
July 3, 2024
KFF Health News Original
In Terre Haute, Ind., two rival hospitals want to merge, a move that supporters say will save patients money and help people live longer. But similar hospital consolidations in Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina have resulted in government reports documenting diminished care. In more than a dozen states, certificates of public advantage (COPAs) permit deals […]
White House Clarifies Where It Stands On Gender-Affirming Care For Children
July 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
“We believe these surgeries should be limited to adults,” a White House spokesperson told The 19th in an email Tuesday. “We continue to support gender-affirming care for minors, which represents a continuum of care.”
US Preps For Possible Pandemic, Taps Moderna To Make Bird Flu Vaccine
July 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
As the virus spreads to more cattle and poultry, the government also enlisted commercial labs to help amp up its supply of tests that would detect the H5N1 bird flu in humans. Meanwhile, as covid cases soar in Western states, the NIH begins testing its nasal covid vaccine.
DOJ Opens Investigation Into Potential Fraud At Prospect Medical Holdings
July 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other industry news, UCSF must continue charity care, stick to price growth caps and more to allow its $100 million takeover of St. Mary’s Medical Center and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital; Walmart has been looking for buyers for its shuttered medical clinics; and more.
FDA Bans Brominated Vegetable Oil In Foods Over Safety Concerns
July 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
The chemical, which is used as a flavor additive but is also used separately in fire retardants, is no longer considered safe. Meanwhile, the CDC and FDA have said the salmonella outbreak in cucumbers has been linked to a Florida grower.
Massachusetts Bill Takes Steps Against Sexual Assaults By Medical Staff
July 3, 2024
Morning Briefing
The bill would also cover clergy members and is aimed at protecting patients who suffer inappropriate contact or assault. Meanwhile, Boston has ended funding for a needle collection program, and West Nile virus was detected in the state for the first time this year.
