Abortion Opponents Intend To Whittle State Protections Backed By Voters
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
One of their key goals is to either ban or restrict access to mifepristone, which is used in more than two-thirds of abortions nationwide. Meanwhile, women in Idaho are suing to get clarity on when a pregnancy complication is dangerous enough to warrant medical intervention.
STI Infections Are Slowing; Health Experts Call For Cautious Optimism
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Gonorrhea cases fell in nearly all age groups last year, CDC data show, and a new doxyPEP protocol is being hailed amid a drop in syphilis infections. Also: A Canadian teen hospitalized with bird flu is in critical condition.
Small Change For PT, OT Practitioners May Have Big Effect On Health Systems
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
As Modern Healthcare reports, CMS has relaxed supervision requirements for physical and occupational therapist assistants from “direct” to “general.” The change could help health systems manage patient volume and reduce Medicare spending.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024
November 13, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An Arm and a Leg: Fight Health Insurance — With Help From AI
By Dan Weissmann
November 13, 2024
Podcast
Meet the tech worker on a quest to use artificial intelligence to combat denials for coverage from patients’ health plans.
Maryland Is Training More Health Workers To Offer Abortion Care
By Sarah Varney
November 13, 2024
KFF Health News Original
After the fall of “Roe v. Wade,” thousands of out-of-state patients traveled to Maryland for abortion care. The state is trying to diversify who can offer that care. Providers in the first training class say their new skills are especially needed in rural areas.
California amplió el Medi-Cal a todos los residentes más allá de su estatus migratorio. Los resultados son desiguales.
By Vanessa G. Sánchez
November 12, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Estos inmigrantes se han ido sumando al programa poco a poco, a medida que el estado fue eliminando el requisito de residencia legal.
KFF Health News Sues To Force Disclosure of Medicare Advantage Audit Records
By Fred Schulte
November 12, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Freedom of Information Act case targets HHS inspector general’s reviews of billions of dollars in health plan overpayments.
Hospitals Adjust as Rates of Maternal High Blood Pressure Spike
By Katheryn Houghton
November 12, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Health researchers are noticing a growing problem in American pregnancies: more cases of blood pressure so high it can be deadly for the parent and baby. U.S. rates of newly developed and chronic maternal high blood pressure skyrocketed from 2007 through 2019, and researchers say they haven’t slowed down. Hospitals are working to adjust their […]
Pandemic Has Eased, But Heavy Alcohol Consumption Has Not
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
In other news, doctors are prescribing marijuana to alleviate dementia symptoms; menopausal women are driving an explosion in testosterone therapy; nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure and don’t know it; and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, November 12, 2024
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Uninsured rate, Trump and RFK Jr.’s search for health appointees, birth control, seniors living alone, vaccines, alcohol abuse, and more.
CDC Data: Uninsured Rate In US Steadies At 7.6%
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
The latest numbers collected from April to June show that about 25.3 million Americans don’t have health insurance — numbers consistent with the 2023 all-time low uninsured rate. Nearly 40% of people are insured under public programs like Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or military plans.
RFK Jr. Vetting Candidates For Trump’s Appointees To Top Health Jobs
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
News outlets report on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s role in the Trump transition reviewing and recommending people to serve in federal health agency posts. Kennedy is eyeing about 600 terminations at the National Institutes of Health and is reportedly crowdsourcing names for possible appointees.
Trump Seeks To Flout Confirmation Rules As He Staffs His Cabinet
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Despite Republicans having a majority in the Senate, President-elect Donald Trump wants to bypass that chamber’s responsibility to debate and vote on nominees. Candidates for majority leader are open to the idea. Also, a look at the nominees already tapped for cabinet roles.
Demand For Abortion Pills, Birth Control Explodes After Trump Win
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also in abortion news, Wisconsin grapples with its Civil War-era law to end abortion rights. In Florida, the battle continues over its six-week abortion ban. Plus: Missouri’s House speaker is challenged due to support for abortion law, and a Georgia woman suffers through agonizing wait for miscarriage care.
Prison Health Care Provider Wellpath Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bloomberg reports that the H.I.G. Capital-backed firm is dealing with debt and high labor costs. Other health industry news is on Kaiser Permanente, Henry Ford Health’s integrated insurer, St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center, Denver Health, and more.
23andMe Lays Off 40% Of Its Employees, Ends Therapy Programs
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
As the company restructures, it will pivot to selling genetic tests to consumers and using that data for research. Also: medicinal and tech advancements in cancer care; research monkeys roundup.
North Carolina Areas Hit Hard By Helene Still Cut Off From Crucial Care
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Providers are finding ways to get essential items to rural areas, but residents are still coping with the loss of dental services, which were limited even before the storm. In the mountains, VA teams are still navigating rough terrain as they try to care for veterans.
BCBS Of Michigan Must Pay $12.7M For Firing Worker Who Refused Covid Vax
November 12, 2024
Morning Briefing
Former IT specialist Lisa Domski had worked at Blue Cross for more than 30 years and worked 100% remotely during the pandemic. She said the vaccine went against her Catholic beliefs. The ruling could affect many other cases, including 179 more vaccine requirement cases against BCBSM.
