Don’t Say Your Food Has Allergens In It When It Doesn’t, FDA Warns
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The agency criticized Bimbo Bakeries USA — the company behind Sara Lee and Entenmann’s products — and said the labeling isn’t a “substitute” for working to actually prevent cross-contamination in factories.
Medications May Come From 3D Printer; Preventive Azithromycin Not Effective In Newborn Mortality
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in KFF Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Biden Pardon Will Allow Vets Dismissed For Sexual Orientation To Apply For Benefits
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden is set to pardon thousands of LGBTQ+ former military service members who were dismissed due to Pentagon policies over sexual orientation. The move would allow them to apply for veteran benefits.
Senators Demand To Know Why Troops Are Struggling To Get Birth Control
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
A dozen Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee are urging Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to remove any barriers to access as mandated by Congress. Also: The Supreme Court will soon deliver a ruling on abortion access.
Officials On Alert Over Rise In Both Dengue Fever And Powassan Virus
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The CDC issued an alert Tuesday about the increased risk of dengue fever infections in the U.S. Meantime, CIDRAP reports on surveillance data showing a four-fold rise in the number of U.S. cases of tick-borne Powassan virus from 2014 to 2023.
Emerging Covid Variant Is No More Severe Than Its Predecessor, CDC Says
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Two variants — LB.1 and KP.3 — are tied to this summer’s surge, officials say. Also: As the summer covid surge accelerates, North Carolina lawmakers are considering whether to override the governor’s veto of a bill that addressed face masks.
4 Months After Cyberattack, VA Grapples With Paying Providers
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The attack hit a third-party company that manages some processes for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Officials say they’re still working to clear a backlog of payments to pharmacies and other providers. Also in the news: AI use by Medicare Advantage insurers.
People Who’ve Lost Weight Via Ozempic Lead Plastic Surgery Surge
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Bloomberg reports a boom in plastic surgery procedures to remove excess skin from people who’ve successfully lost a lot of weight thanks to drugs like Ozempic. Meanwhile, another weight-loss drug, Saxenda, was found to reduce bone density in patients in a study.
Children’s Health, Pandemic Readiness Measures Scrapped From Calif. Ballot
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
In a deal with initiatives’ backers, officials agreed to tackle those policy issues in the Legislature. Other news out of California focuses on sex education, vape recall, medical debt relief, and more.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 26, 2024
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Rural hospitals, medical debt relief, birth control access, summer covid surge, weight-loss drugs, child health, Dengue, and more are in the news.
First Edition: June 26, 2024
June 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Closing of Rural Hospitals Leaves Towns With Unhealthy Real Estate
By Taylor Sisk
June 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Dozens of small cities and towns across the United States struggle not just with health care access and the loss of jobs, but also with the burden of what to do with big, empty buildings.
California’s $25 Health Care Hourly Wage Relies on Federal Boost, State Worker Exemption
By Don Thompson
June 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
California’s nation-leading $25 minimum wage for health workers relies on a significant boost in federal funding. It also leaves out thousands of state employees under an agreement that is expected to win approval from state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom in the coming days.
Los Angeles County Approves Medical Debt Relief for Residents
By Molly Castle Work
June 25, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The most populous county in the U.S. is buying up and retiring millions of dollars in residents’ medical debt as part of its plan to tackle a $2.9 billion burden. But some health experts worry the initiative could incentivize hospitals to pursue debtors rather than boost financial assistance to patients.
Viewpoints: What’s The Next Step In The Reproductive Rights Battle?; Here’s What It’s Like Living With Long Covid
June 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle abortion rights, long covid, U.S. health insurance, and more.
Supreme Court First: Deciding Whether Minors Will Have Transgender Rights
June 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
The court also is weighing in on disability bias, antitrust, the Feres doctrine, and religious covid-vaccine exemptions.
Texas Infant Deaths Increased Nearly 13% In Wake Of Strict Abortion Law
June 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the rest of the U.S., infant mortality rates climbed just 2% over the same period, an analysis shows. Among other news: Republican anti-abortion ballot initiatives are falling short; Democrats are aiming to repeat success at the polls with abortion-rights candidates; and more.
Health Providers Must Allow EHR Access Or Face Consequences: HHS
June 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
A final rule from the Health and Human Services Department aims at discouraging “information blocking,” where providers bar authorized users from electronic health records. Separately, inconsistencies in EHR symptom data fields are highlighted.
Bill Would Stop Real Estate Investment Trusts From Owning Hospitals In Mass.
June 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
In the wake of the Steward Health Care System collapse, state lawmakers included a provision in a health care oversight bill that would ban hospitals leasing their sites from REITs — a first-of-its-kind crackdown in the U.S. Also in the news: Hartford HealthCare, Oscar, Centene, and more.
