First Edition: May 15, 2024
May 15, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An Arm and a Leg: Digging Into Facility Fees
By Dan Weissmann
May 15, 2024
Podcast
“An Arm and a Leg” is looking for listener stories about facility fees for a new project.
After a Child’s Death, California Weighs Rules for Phys Ed During Extreme Weather
By Samantha Young
May 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
A California lawmaker wants the state to craft guidelines for how and when schoolchildren can play or exercise during extreme weather, including heat waves. The bill comes after a 12-year-old boy died after a physical education instructor told him to run as the temperature topped 90 degrees.
Tribal Nations Invest Opioid Settlement Funds in Traditional Healing to Treat Addiction
By Aneri Pattani and Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
May 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Hundreds of Native American tribes are getting money from settlements with companies that made or sold prescription painkillers. Some are investing it in sweat lodges, statistical models, and insurance-billing staffers.
Why One New York Health System Stopped Suing Its Patients
By Noam N. Levey
May 15, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Most U.S. hospitals aggressively pursue patients for unpaid bills. One New York hospital system decided to work with them instead.
Olvídate del botón para llamar a la enfermera. Un dispositivo que usa IA adherido a tu pecho permite que controlen tus signos a distancia
By Phil Galewitz
May 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Este delgado dispositivo, que funciona con baterías, se llama BioButton y registra los signos vitales de los pacientes, incluidas la temperatura, y las frecuencias cardíaca y respiratoria.
Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
May 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
“Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KFF Health News newsroom to the airwaves each week.
Why Medicaid’s ‘Undercount’ Problem Counts
By Phil Galewitz
May 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
Millions of people were surprised to find themselves booted from Medicaid over the past year after pandemic-era protections expired that had prevented states from terminating their coverage. Turns out, millions of them were also unaware they had been covered by the government program. Nearly 1 in 3 people enrolled in Medicaid in 2022 — or […]
Providers Worry About Liability In Aftermath Of Change Healthcare Hack
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reports on rising concern among health providers over what costs and what legal or regulatory consequences could follow the Change Healthcare hack. And Crain’s Detroit Business covers how a digital forensics firm negotiates deals during cyberattacks.
Large Study IDs New Breast Cancer Genes In Women Of African Ancestry
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Twelve genes were identified in women with African ancestry in a study, which could help better predict some people’s risk of the disease in the future. A separate study found people of West African ancestry have a higher risk of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis.
Wastewater In 9 Texas Cities Tests Positive For H5N1 Avian Flu
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Ten cities were part of a research effort: Nine had H5N1 bird flu virus levels in wastewater, sometimes at concentrations matching seasonal flu. Also in the news: probation for a West Virginia health official in a covid testing scandal; gas stove warnings in California; and more.
Viewpoints: Too Much Mental Health Awareness May Be Harmful To Teens; Health Care Is Too Hard To Access
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss mental health awareness, accessing health care, developmental milestones, and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s news roundup covers nursing home deaths, weight loss drugs, abortion bans, fentanyl seizures, breast cancer genes, bird flu, and more.
Despite Coverage Gains, Costs May Mask Biden’s Health Care Efforts
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
A closer look at the numbers helps to explain the shift in political discourse from coverage to affordability. Also in the news: pressure to reduce drug prices, removing insurance perks for seniors, Medicaid unwinding, and more.
Arizona Supreme Court Rules To Pause Enforcement Of 1864 Abortion Ban
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Although a repeal of the Civil War-era law has cleared the state, it won’t take effect until 90 days after the state legislative session ends. In the interim, Arizona’s attorney general asked the court to halt enforcement until late September. In other news: a new study confirms the safety of abortion pills; and more Americans support abortion access since Roe was overturned.
Fentanyl Seizures Soared Between 2017 And 2023: Study
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
In fact, seizures more than quadrupled during that time period. Last year alone, over 115 million pills were seized by law enforcement. Also in the news: a warning about false results from Cue Health covid tests; cortisol and stress; “heart age” and health levels; and more.
Weight Loss Drug’s Effectiveness Is Good For Four Years, Study Finds
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
The popular drug Wegovy also is found to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks in patients no matter how much they weighed, a new study concludes.
First Edition: May 14, 2024
May 14, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicaid ‘Unwinding’ Decried as Biased Against Disabled People
By Daniel Chang
May 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
People with disabilities say they are abruptly losing their Medicaid home health benefits and are being advised incorrectly when they call state offices for more information. “Every day the anxiety builds,” one beneficiary told KFF Health News.
Nursing Homes Wield Pandemic Immunity Laws To Duck Wrongful Death Suits
By Fred Schulte
May 14, 2024
KFF Health News Original
More than 172,000 nursing home residents died of covid. In lawsuits, some families who lost loved ones say they were misled about safety measures or told that covid wasn’t a danger in their facilities.