Daily Edition for Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Dignity Health, fentanyl trade, maternity ward closures, Medicare Advantage, environmental health, and more are in the news.
Biden Administration’s Limit on Drug Industry Middlemen Backfires, Pharmacists Say
By Arthur Allen
A rule taking effect Jan. 1 was intended to stop one set of abuses by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, but some pharmacists say it’s enabling these price brokers to simply do new things unfairly.
The Unusual Way a Catholic Health System Is Wielding an Abortion Protest Law
By Judy Lin
Dignity Health is suing several patients and their advocates for “commercial blockade” for refusing discharge during the covid-19 pandemic. The lawsuits could set precedents for use of the California commercial blockade statute, conceived to constrain abortion protesters, and how hospitals handle discharges.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, November 14, 2023
A long-term care special report; Plus, air quality, a cyberattack, suicide and military health, cancer, and more are in the news.
What Long-Term Care Looks Like Around the World
By Jordan Rau
Most countries spend more than the United States on care, but middle-class and affluent people still bear a substantial portion of the costs.
Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care
By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau
The United States has no coherent system of long-term care, leading many to struggle to stay independent or rely on a patchwork of solutions.
Adult Children Discuss the Trials of Caring for Their Aging Parents
By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau
The financial and emotional toll of providing and paying for long-term care is wreaking havoc on the lives of millions of Americans. Read about how a few families are navigating the challenges, in their own words.
Do Republican Spending Cuts Threaten Federal HIV Funding? For Some Programs, Yes.
By Grace Abels, PolitiFact
Spending cuts proposed by a Republican-led House subcommittee would cut millions from HIV-related spending.
Daily Edition for Monday, November 13, 2023
Health minimum wage law, patient data breach, hospital watch, long covid, vaccines, weight loss drugs, opioids, and more are in the news.
Why It’s So Tough to Reduce Unnecessary Medical Care
By Markian Hawryluk
Treatments that don’t help patients, and may even harm them, are difficult to eliminate because they can be big sources of revenue.
