KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Congress Punts to a Looming Lame-Duck Session
September 26, 2024
Podcast
Congress left Washington for the campaign trail this week, but not before approving a spending bill that expires shortly before Christmas. Lawmakers will be busy after the election working on not just the legislation needed to keep the government running, but also several health programs set to expire. Meanwhile, Republicans continue to downplay abortion as Democrats press it as a campaign issue. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.
Keep the Conversation Going: Share Your ‘Silence in Sikeston’ Feedback With Us
September 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Do you have feedback about the “Silence in Sikeston” project that you’d like to share with KFF Health News? Tell us here.
NY Resident’s Death Is 10th Fatality In Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post notes that the listeria outbreak tied to Boar’s Head deli meat is the largest such outbreak since 2011, as two more hospitalizations were announced by the CDC. Separately, in Los Angeles, a cluster of dengue cases has now grown to four in just over two weeks.
Lower Opioid Overdose Rate Noted Among Diabetic Semaglutide Users
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Although the new findings are “unclear,” researchers are curious to see if appetite suppressants could be used for addiction treatment. A separate study found that fentanyl users trying to kick the habit benefited from taking higher doses of buprenorphine, a medication to reduce side effects.
Starting January, Hospitals Will Report Quality Data On Older Patients’ Care
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The effort, which will give compensation to hospitals providing quality data to support “age friendly” medical care, is designed to boost private-sector efforts to pivot toward care for an aging population. Exeter Hospital, Mount Sinai Health System, Guardian Pharmacy, and more are also in the news.
FDA To Consider Approving First New Schizophrenia Drug In Over 30 Years
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
During clinical trials, Bristol Myers Squibb’s KarXT was said to offer better treatment with fewer side effects. Meanwhile, Pfizer’s sickle cell disease treatment Oxbryta was withdrawn from all markets over concerns about the risk of a painful complication and death.
Texas Disenrolled People From Medicaid Faster Than Other States
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Texas Tribune and ProPublica report that after the pandemic-era Medicaid agreements expired, Texas moved faster in kicking more people from Medicaid rolls than other states, ignoring guidance and warnings. Separately, Kaiser Permanente stays on as a Maryland Medicaid provider.
Research Roundup: Mpox; Covid; Genetic Variants; Autism
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Democratic Lawmakers Push For Permanent ACA Tax Credits
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Legislation announced Wednesday would help cut the cost of Obamacare plans. Vice President Kamala Harris said she would make the tax credits permanent if elected president, The Washington Post said. Also: the Senate has voted to hold Steward Health Care’s chief executive in contempt.
Number Of Suicides In 2023 Holds Steady At Nearly Highest Level
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Provisional data from the CDC show that a little over 49,300 suicide deaths were reported last year, compared to just under 49,500 in 2022. CDC information also shows more women are using firearms in suicide deaths — traditionally men die by suicide at higher rates, and often do so using guns.
Biden Wants More Study On Childhood Trauma From Active-Shooter Drills
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
President Joe Biden’s executive order directs several federal agencies to prepare a report about when and how to implement drills, which sometimes include pellet guns or fake blood. The executive order also takes issue with 3D-printed firearms.
200+ Women Faced Pregnancy-Related Charges After Roe’s Fall
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Just one charge was tied to an abortion ban — a state law that was subsequently overturned — and four others were abortion-related. Many stemmed from allegations of substance use that might affect the health of a growing fetus.
Judge: EPA Must Reexamine Risk To Kids From Fluoride In Drinking Water
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
“The scientific literature in the record provides a high level of certainty that a hazard is present; fluoride is associated with reduced IQ,” wrote U.S. District Judge Edward Chen in San Francisco. In other public health news, the VA looks into PFAS and kidney cancer; 36% of children and teens around the world are near-sighted; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024
September 26, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Nursing Aides Plagued by PTSD After ‘Nightmare’ Covid Conditions, With Little Help
By Amy Maxmen
September 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A KFF Health News investigation reveals that employers and the government have offered nursing aides little assistance for PTSD and other ongoing maladies triggered by hazardous work during the pandemic.
In Montana Senate Race, Democrat Jon Tester Misleads on Republican Tim Sheehy’s Abortion Stance
By Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact
September 26, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy has said he supports letting states decide the abortion parameters within their borders and supports including exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the pregnant woman in legislation to restrict abortion.
CrowdStrike Chief Rues Software Flaw That Shut Down Systems Worldwide
September 25, 2024
Morning Briefing
Adam Meyers, a senior vice president, testified to a House panel about what caused the global outage in July that affected major industries, including health care.
