Journalists Discuss African Mpox Upsurge, EpiPen Alternative, and Medicaid Unwinding
August 17, 2024
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and state media this week to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Ohio Has Become Both An Abortion Desert And A Haven
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Abortion is legal until fetal viability, but few clinics are left in the state, and there are no surgical abortion clinics at all in Northwest and Southeast Ohio. The lack of access is troublesome for residents, who may have to travel out of state for care. Meanwhile, women in surrounding states where abortion is banned are seeking help in Ohio.
Court Rules Florida AG Can’t Block School, Hospital Opioid Lawsuits
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, in Baltimore, a lawsuit against opioid makers and distributors will proceed to trial after a judge denied motions by the companies to dismiss the case. And MIT News reports on an implantable device that could automatically release naloxone in overdose situations.
NY Health Officials Move To Halt Use Of Key Antibiotic Against Meningitis
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Ciprofloxacin is recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis against bacterial meningitis, but the New York State Department of Health is asking providers to discontinue using it over fears of rising antibiotic-resistant strains.
Groundwater, Food Tainted With Rocket Fuel Chemical, Study Finds
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Perchlorate is more likely to be found in types of food given to youngsters, a Consumer Reports study found. There is no strict definition of what is considered to be a “dangerous level” of perchlorate, which is found in such items as fireworks, matches, and now french fries and chicken nuggets.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on AMR, extreme heat, dementia, homelessness, Zyn, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, August 16, 2024
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Planned Parenthood, Medicaid ‘unwinding,’ Harris’ health policies, Medicare drug costs, mpox, opioid lawsuits, and more
Kamala Harris’ 2024 Policy Agenda Includes Tax Break For New Babies
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post highlights proposals for eliminating medical debt for millions, a ban on price gouging for groceries and food, and a $6,000 tax credit for the first year of a new baby’s life.
First Medicare Drug Negotiations Are Done, But Round 2 Could Get Testier
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Even as the results of Round 1 were released Thursday, pharmaceutical companies were already preparing for what will now become annual price negotiations with Medicare. With 15 drugs on the table in 2025, The Wall Street Journal reports that drugmakers are fighting aspects of the process.
Mpox Variant Discovered Outside Africa On A Traveler To Sweden
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Swedish case marks the first time the virus has spread outside of Africa. This comes as Pakistan health officials say they’ve detected the virus in their country. Meanwhile, the world and vaccine makers are responding after the World Health Organization declared mpox a health emergency.
Black Death, Bird Flu Among Diseases Posing Potential Pandemic Threat
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
The WHO’s watchlist of dangerous pathogens for the first time also includes bacteria such as salmonella and cholera. Also, despite concerns about the spread of bird flu to humans, dairy farmers remain reluctant to test their herds.
Employer Health Plans Could See 9% Bump In Cost, Consulting Firm Predicts
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
An increase in high-dollar treatments and greater demand for prescription drugs are driving up costs for employers, the company says. Meanwhile, supply chain woes in 2023 hampered health providers’ ability to provide care to ailing patients.
Gel That Quickly Halts Severe Bleeding Gets FDA Clearance
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Traumagel, from Cresilon, can be used for life-threatening injuries and could be a vital new tool for EMTs. Separately, the FDA approved a non-small cell lung cancer treatment from AstraZeneca.
First Edition: Friday, Aug. 16, 2024
August 16, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Amid Medicaid ‘Unwinding,’ Many States Wind Up Expanding
By Phil Galewitz
Updated September 24, 2024
Originally Published August 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
The end of pandemic-era Medicaid coverage protections coincided with changes in more than a dozen states to expand coverage for lower-income people, including children, pregnant women, and the incarcerated.
Inside Conservative Activist Leonard Leo’s Long Campaign To Gut Planned Parenthood
By Rachana Pradhan
Illustration by Oona Zenda
August 16, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Anti-abortion groups and their allies secured a generational victory in 2022 when the Supreme Court overturned “Roe v. Wade.” A lawsuit in Texas demonstrates how those same forces threaten access to other health services, including birth control and screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted infections.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Happy 50th, ERISA
August 15, 2024
Podcast
What does a law to protect worker pensions have to do with how health insurance is regulated? Far more than most people may think. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA, turns 50 in September. The law fundamentally changed the way the federal and state governments regulate employer-provided health insurance and continues to shape health policy in the United States. In this special episode of “What the Health?”, host and KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner speaks to Larry Levitt of KFF, Paul Fronstin of the Employee Benefit Research Institute, and Ilyse Schuman of the American Benefits Council about the history of ERISA and what its future might hold.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Medicare drug pricing, medical device ‘recalls,’ dementia deaths spike, abortion law, kids’ online safety, copycat obesity drugs, and more
Research Roundup: Antimicrobial Resistance; Pneumonia; Leukemia; Aging Immune Systems
August 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
