Good morning. As I mentioned to STAT’s Executive Editor Rick Berke, I’m open to trying any pizza at least once. But for the moment, let’s focus on some news over our coffee.
‘Scientists that are listening: don’t pay attention to the hype.’
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya addressed a House Appropriations subcommittee yesterday, assuring that despite the slow pace of grant distribution, the agency plans to fully utilize its budget by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.
“We will spend the allocation,” he stated. “We are in the process of identifying the excellent projects, grants are already going out the door.” Further insights on Bhattacharya’s remarks and the lawmakers’ reactions are available from STAT’s Jonathan Wosen.
Two doctors on the challenges of medicine today
Jay Baruch, an emergency medicine physician and frequent First Opinion contributor, explores the growing issue of patients being placed in hallways due to a lack of rooms in hospitals. He shares his experience as a provider and the frustration it causes in delivering care. Baruch also recounts his personal encounter with this issue when his mother was left in a hallway for too long, needing urgent bathroom access. More details are available in his essay.
In another piece, Frances Mei Hardin, a surgeon, reflects on her decision to leave the medical field after enduring a decade of strenuous training. She describes granting herself permission to step away as the start of a life she truly desires, rather than a failure. The full essay offers more on her journey.
How did this Texas couple get rich off out-of-network medical bills?
The short answer: HaloMD, a little-known middleman, exploits a system that is potentially more profitable for providers than surprise billing was.
The long story starts at a Las Vegas party where a divorced woman met a healthcare entrepreneur. A decade later, now married, the LaRoques founded HaloMD, assisting providers in navigating federal arbitration for billing disputes with insurers. However, lawsuits allege that HaloMD exploits the overloaded system to capitalize on disputes that shouldn’t qualify. While not the only company doing this, HaloMD is the largest.
“Overall, I don’t think they’re bad people,” noted a surgeon formerly associated with the couple’s healthcare business. “Now, are they going to do whatever they can to make as much money as they can? Absolutely yes.”
For an in-depth look at this story, see Tara Bannow’s examination, which includes reviews of thousands of court documents and interviews with over 50 people. The story of “independent dispute resolution” might be more intriguing than you think.
Kratom use trends in one hospital system
Kratom, a plant long used in herbal medicine, has gained popularity in the U.S. for recreational purposes and pain relief. A recent study in JAMA Network Open analyzed electronic health records from a Boston hospital system to measure this trend.
From 2017 to 2024, hospitalizations mentioning kratom in clinical notes rose significantly by 15% annually. Mentions in emergency visits also grew, though not as markedly. Overall, mentions jumped from under 500 in 2017 to nearly 1,500 in 2024.
As kratom’s usage grows, the best regulatory approach remains uncertain. Kratom is not a major cause of overdose deaths, with no fatal overdoses linked solely to 7-OH, a compound derived from the plant.
Last summer, the FDA suggested 7-OH be classified as a controlled substance. Some states have banned it, and California recently seized $5 million worth of products under a law allowing confiscation of unapproved items. In Kansas, a bill is being considered to criminalize kratom and 7-OH. However, with ongoing fentanyl-related deaths, some argue that banning a safer alternative could exacerbate the problem.
9.9%
The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults in 2024 has dropped to 9.9%, the lowest ever recorded. As reported by STAT’s Sarah Todd, this milestone is significant. Interestingly, the information emerged through external analysis by researchers published in NEJM Evidence, rather than from a federal report.
“In public health, the number 10% is very symbolic to us,” said Israel Agaku, who conducted the analysis. “Things below 10% are considered rare events or unusual events.” Learn more about this achievement and its public health implications.
What we’re reading
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U.S. considers withholding HIV aid unless Zambia expands minerals access, New York Times
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The snip shift: March Madness used to drive vasectomies. Now abortion bans do, The 19th
- Drug smoking can lead to severe burns, complicating harm reduction efforts, STAT
- ‘I feel desperate’: Minnesota woman suffering medical emergency stuck in Texas detention, Minnesota Reformer
What’s the word? Test your knowledge with today’s STAT Mini crossword.
