Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
CMS Proposes 2.5% Medicare Doctor Pay Rate Increase In 2026
Separately, CMS is proposing to start a competitive bidding program for medical goods such as glucose monitors and insulin pumps, Modern Healthcare reports. Also: Rural hospitals look to add services as a potential way to weather the looming cuts.
Menopause In Focus: 15 States Launch Bills Supporting Women’s Health
The legislation relates to insurance coverage for menopause care, awareness and education, and clinician training. More news is on weight-loss drugs and kids, medicine recalls, and more.
Study: No Link Between Aluminum In Vaccines And Kids’ Chronic Diseases
The 24-year study of more than 1.2 million children in Denmark found that aluminum exposure didn’t raise the risk of autism, asthma, or other chronic diseases. Other science and research news is on smoking cessation, dementia, inflammatory bowel disease, and more.
HHS Reviews Create Bottlenecks At Indian Health Service Facilities
New HHS contract reviews are delaying care and filling of vacancies, IHS insiders tell Stat News. Meanwhile, KFF Health News dives into rehabilitation hospitals.
Mass Overdose Event In Baltimore Hospitalizes More Than 2 Dozen
The event, caused by a bad batch of an unspecified drug, prompted a surge in 911 calls. Experts think a potent batch of fentanyl might have caused the overdoses and that the specific blend is still out there. Other states making news: Iowa, New York, Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Layoffs Formally Resume At HHS As Agency Undergoes Restructuring
Almost all employees who had received a layoff email on April 1 have now been officially severed from the agency, an HHS spokesperson says. Other administration news includes the gutting of the Education Department; federal cuts hitting Texas school programs; and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Hospitals Ready Lobbying Efforts To Fight Big Cuts From Trump’s Megabill
Delayed implementation until 2028 gives hospitals time to persuade Congress to rescind $340 billion in cuts to their budgets. The Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act included the money to pay for tax cuts and other priorities. Separately, the legislation is also expected to impact insurers due to the volatility in Medicaid-eligible patients.
Judge Reverses Biden-Era Rule That Wiped Medical Debt Off Credit Reports
Meanwhile, Bloomberg reports that the FDA may offer to fast-track drug reviews for companies that lower their U.S drug prices. Also: a billion-dollar backlog of delayed grants at HHS, and more.
Arizonan Dies Of Pneumonic Plague
The diagnosis was confirmed through rapid testing after the Coconino County resident was admitted to Flagstaff Medical Center. Pneumonic plague is the only form of the plague that can be transmitted person to person, but officials say the risk of exposure is low.
Effectiveness Of Involuntary Mental Health Care Inconclusive, GAO Finds
Despite HHS finding favorable outcomes, GAO disagrees, claiming the earlier assessments are unreliable due to methodological flaws. In other news: some common sweeteners can increase the risk of early puberty; Propecia causes fertility issues for some users; and more.
Severe Climate-Related Disasters Affect Area Health Care For Years: Study
While severe climate-related disasters were linked with decreased access to health care infrastructure, moderate climate-related disasters were linked with increased access and redevelopment. In other news, GLP-1 drugs are showing promise in areas of addiction. Also: bariatric surgery, muscle loss, and menopause.
US Sees Fewer Health Care Data Breaches This Year, But Cases Still High
Other health care industry news is on the impact of immigration policies on nursing home staffing, a long-covid clinic closure in St. Louis, and more.
North Carolina To Build Stand-Alone 500-Bed Children’s Hospital
The Raleigh-area facility will be built as a joint agreement between UNC Health and Duke Health. More news comes from Texas, New York, Arizona, and Maryland.
First Edition: Monday, July 14, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
Health Systems Bolstering Ranks By Offering Loan Repayment For Pledges
Medical providers are employing methods to counter the Trump administration’s rules that make it harder for students to borrow money. Plus, the Joint Associations Group has a counterproposal to Trump’s research overhead cuts.
Ballooning Deficit Caused By Trump’s Megabill Could Force Medicare Cuts
Unless Congress — with help from the Democrats — waives PAYGO Act requirements triggered by the legislation Republicans tout as “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Medicare could still see as much as $500 billion in cuts, even though the program was spared in the actual bill. In other fallout from the tax and immigration bill, some Planned Parenthood affiliates stop accepting Medicaid.
FDA Posts 200 Letters Citing Initial Concerns About Approved Drugs
The FDA published a database of letters sent to drugmakers during the review process of medications that provide information on the agency’s initial feedback or requirements for more data. These communications are not usually made public.