Insurers Begin To Tackle Complex Mental Health Compliance Rules
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The industry is tasked with bringing mental health services in line with medical benefits in an effort to make it easier for Americans to find the care they need. Elsewhere, St. Paul plans to streamline its 911 services, and 988 counselors contend with “bogus sex calls.â€
Neuralink ‘Blindsight’ Brain Implant Gets FDA ‘Breakthrough Device’ Nod
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
The device is a variant of Neuralink’s brain implant technology, in this case designed to “enable even those who have lost both eyes” to see, according to owner Elon Musk. Separately, progress is reported in a gene therapy program to beat macular degeneration.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024
September 19, 2024
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Abortion Clinics — And Patients — Are on the Move, as State Laws Keep Shifting
By Bram Sable-Smith
Illustration by Oona Zenda
September 19, 2024
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
Clinics in states where most abortions are legal, such as Kansas and Illinois, are reporting an influx of inquiries from patients hundreds of miles away — and are expanding in response. Despite the Supreme Court’s overturning of federal protections in 2022, abortions are now at their highest numbers in a decade.
California Medicaid Ballot Measure Is Popular, Well Funded — And Perilous, Opponents Warn
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 19, 2024
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
Proposition 35, which would use revenue from a tax on managed-care plans to raise the pay of health care providers who serve Medi-Cal patients, has united a broad swath of California’s health care, business, and political establishments. But a newly formed, smaller group of opponents says it will do more harm than good.
These Alabama Workers Were Swamped by Medical Debt. Then Their Employer Stepped In.
By Noam N. Levey
September 19, 2024
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
A decades-old manufacturing company opened a clinic and made primary care and prescriptions free for employees and their families.
Cyberattacks Plague the Health Industry. Critics Call Feds’ Response Feeble and Fractured.
By Darius Tahir
September 19, 2024
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
Health care weathered more ransomware attacks last year than any other sector, and that was before a debilitating February hack of payments manager Change Healthcare. Executives, lawyers, and policymakers are worried the federal government’s response is underpowered, underfunded, and too focused on hospital security.
Unpacking the FDA’s Non-Recall Recalls
By David Hilzenrath
September 18, 2024
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
When the Agriculture Department posted a recall of chicken nuggets that might be contaminated, it directed consumers to return them or throw the stuff away. When the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that poorly designed baby loungers could suffocate babies, it warned consumers to immediately stop using them. But when it comes to medical devices, […]
Express Scripts Sues FTC, Calls Report About Drug Middlemen ‘Erroneous’
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Read recent pharmaceutical developments in Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News’ Prescription Drug Watch roundup.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Comes Out On Top; Religious Exemptions For Vaccinations Should End
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
High-Dose Kratom Capsules Are Safe, First FDA Study Of Compound Finds
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The botanical has been used for centuries in Southeast Asia, Bloomberg notes, but it’s more commonly found in drinks and concentrates in the U.S., triggering the research effort. Separately, financial incentives for kidney donors; changing research standards on trans issues; and more.
CDC Launches Program to Reduce Diagnostic Errors, Boost Safety
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The goal is to reduce the impact of incorrect diagnoses, or delayed ones, which can occur for many different reasons and seriously impact the safety of patient care. Among other news, New Hampshire’s attorney general demands answers from Exeter Hospital about plans to cut services.
Polio-Like D68 Virus With Paralyzing Potential Is Spiking Among US Children
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The respiratory virus is linked, in rare cases, to acute flaccid myelitis, which affects the nervous system. Meanwhile, flu deaths among kids for the 2023-24 season tied the U.S. record high of 199.
IVF Bill Again Blocked By Republicans; Competing Senate Measure Fails, Too
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The Democratic measure, which would have ensured federal protections to the fertility treatment, failed 51-44. The GOP bill, which focused on access to IVF, did not gain unanimous consent to pass. Meanwhile, AP and ProPublica report about pregnant women who have died since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
Harris Floats 7% Cap On Child Care Costs For Working Families
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
The policy initiative previously was proposed by President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, the U.S. House today is set to vote on funding the government. The Washington Post reports that it doesn’t have enough support to pass.
Ozempic Could Be Included In Next Round Of Medicare Price Cuts
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Also, Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke up again about Ozempic’s manufacturer Novo Nordisk, alleging that it can make and sell its weight loss drug for under $100 a month. Meanwhile, CNN notes that GLP-1 drugs in pill form are coming, and this may revolutionize weight loss treatments.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 18, 2024
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Each month, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers health issues in places where accessing care can be more challenging.
Alcohol May Be To Blame For Increase In Cancer Rates, Researchers Find
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
Even though cancer death rates have fallen, the report notes, moderate and light drinkers saw more cancer deaths than occasional drinkers.
US Drug Overdose Deaths Plunge 10%
September 18, 2024
Morning Briefing
NPR reports that some researchers believe the data could show an even larger drop, beyond the 10.6% drop that CDC data shows, when federal surveys take stock of state-level improvements. Separately, more than a quarter of those in Baltimore know someone who fatally overdosed.
