Hospital Deaths Investigated; Price Hikes for 500 Drugs; Mushroom Poisonings Rise

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Police are investigating an Oregon hospital where several patients died after reportedly receiving tap water injections instead of fentanyl doses. (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Many pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Sanofi and Takeda, plan to raise prices on more than 500 drugs this month, according to a healthcare data analysis. (Reuters)

More than 13 million people lost Medicaid coverage in 2023, many due to procedural issues, such as missing paperwork. (NBC News)

Longtime Dallas congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D), the first registered nurse to serve in Congress, died at 88. (Fox 4 News)

More Americans can expect lower insulin costs in 2024 as new $35 a month price caps are set to go into effect this month. (CNN)

Federal officials seized more unauthorized electronic cigarettes, but say thousands of new flavored vaping products are still making it into the U.S. (AP)

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) vetoed a state bill aimed at banning gender-affirmed care for children and adolescents. (Politico)

Meanwhile, an Idaho state court rejected a request to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to expand the list of exceptions to the state’s abortion laws. (The Hill)

Mushroom foraging is having a moment, and so are poisonings, according to experts. (CNN)

Reckitt/Mead Johnson Nutrition recalled several batches of Nutramigen powder, a specialty hypoallergenic infant formula, due to possible Cronobacter sakazakii contamination.

Respiratory viral activity increased in recent weeks as thousands are being hospitalized with COVID-19, flu, or respiratory syncytial virus, according to the CDC. (CNN)

IV drips and injections given at unregulated med spas are leading to more severe infections and injuries, experts warned. (NBC News)

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit western Japan, where officials said at least 48 people died. (Axios)

Here’s how unconscious bias among medical professionals might increase risks for Black pregnant women. (New York Times)

Almost 60 years after being barred from Medicaid, U.S. lawmakers might give mental hospitals another chance amid the dual crises of drug addiction and homelessness across the country. (Politico)

The Biden administration’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes has pitted allies against each other, including several Black and civil rights groups. (The Hill)

Healthcare professionals want Hollywood to depict dying and death in more realistic ways on TV. (NPR)

Experts hope AI can streamline the complicated system of billing and processing for U.S. medical expenses, which total roughly $4 trillion annually. (Politico)

Addiction medicine may have a pivotal year ahead as experts say methadone access could expand. (STAT)

McKinsey & Company agreed to a $78 million settlement in a case over its role in advising opioid manufacturers to design misleading marketing campaigns. (The Hill)

A U.S. judge upheld the FTC’s decision to block IQVIA’s attempted purchase of DeepIntent, a pharmaceutical digital ad service. (Fierce Pharma)

Here’s the skinny on cold plunges — and the science behind their potential health benefits. (NPR)

If ice baths aren’t ideal, here are 10 nutritional tips for staying healthy in the new year. (New York Times)

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