Latest Morning Briefing Stories

¿Llamar al 911 o arriesgarse a perder al bebé? Redadas obligan a algunos inmigrantes a evitar la atención médica

KFF Health News Original

A casi dos semanas de iniciada la operación llamada Catahoula Crunch, que comenzó el 3 de diciembre, profesionales de salud y defensores comunitarios en Louisiana y Mississippi reportan un aumento inusual de pacientes inmigrantes que se han salteado citas médicas.

Washington’s Homeless Hide in Plain Sight, Growing Sicker and Costing Taxpayers More

KFF Health News Original

The White House says encampment sweeps have enhanced the capital, but city leaders estimate nearly 700 homeless people roam by day and bed down outdoors by night. Some have scattered to the suburbs while others avoid detection, making it hard for medical providers to care for them.

FDA Panelists Questioned Antidepressants in Pregnancy. But Doctors Call Them a Lifeline.

KFF Health News Original

Participants in an FDA panel discussion warned the public about risks from using antidepressants in pregnancy. But mental health issues, including suicide and overdoses, are the leading cause of maternal death in the United States. Antidepressants are a safe, well-studied way to help prevent those deaths, medical experts say.

Health Care Costs Jump to the Fore as Candidates Jockey To Be California Governor

KFF Health News Original

During a California gubernatorial debate, candidates promised to protect people’s access to health care and fight back against Trump administration cuts. With the contest a year away, polling shows voters want the next governor to minimize out-of-pocket health care costs, increase mental health care, and expand caregiving services.

While Politicos Dispense Blame, These Doctors Aim To Take Shame Out of Medicine

KFF Health News Original

Clinicians and researchers are starting to embrace an effort to develop what’s known as “shame competence” in physicians to combat burnout and prevent that uncomfortable emotion from being passed along to patients.

From Narcan to Gun Silencers, Opioid Settlement Cash Pays Law Enforcement Tabs

KFF Health News Original

Local governments have received hundreds of millions of dollars from the opioid settlements to support addiction treatment, recovery, and prevention efforts. Their spending decisions in 2024 were sometimes surprising and even controversial. Our new database offers more than 10,500 examples.

Sock Hops and Concerts: How Some Places Spent Opioid Settlement Cash

KFF Health News Original

States, counties, and cities are receiving millions in opioid settlement money to address the addiction crisis. The ways they spent the dollars in 2024 sometimes drew criticism from advocates and at least one state official, who alleged misuse.

Private Medicare, Medicaid Plans Exaggerate In-Network Mental Health Options, Watchdogs Say

KFF Health News Original

A federal probe of Medicare and Medicaid plans run by private insurance companies found that the plan operators often overstated how many mental health providers were available in their networks. In some cases, investigators found providers had never had contracts with plans they were listed on.

Cops on Ketamine? Largely Unregulated Mental Health Treatment Faces Hurdles

KFF Health News Original

Ketamine, long used as an anesthetic or illegal party drug, is being combined with psychotherapy to treat severe depression and post-traumatic stress — a potential tool for those with high trauma rates, like firefighters and police officers. Yet the drug’s stigma and unregulated marketplace leave first responders in uncharted territory.

An HIV Outbreak in Maine Shows the Risk of Trump’s Crackdown on Homelessness and Drug Use

KFF Health News Original

Public health experts and advocates say the outbreak has been fueled by a confluence of local factors, including the sweeping of a homeless encampment and shuttering of a sterile-syringe program. But those issues may not remain local for long. The Trump administration is leading efforts to promote similar tactics nationwide.