Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers weigh in on these topics and others.
Wyoming Outlaws Most Abortions If Fetal Heartbeat Can Be Detected
The procedure will be allowed to protect the life of a woman. Abortion advocates plan to ask the courts to block the ban. “Regrettably, this act represents another well-intentioned but likely fragile legal effort with significant risk of ending in the courts,” Republican Gov. Mark Gordon has said.
FDA Aims To Streamline Rules To Boost Development Of Biosimilar Drugs
According to the Food and Drug Administration, biologic medicines make up about 5% of prescriptions, yet they account for 51% of drug spending. Other FDA news is on a probe into rare-disease drug denials, flavored e-cigarettes, and more.
ACA Enrollment Might Be Artificially High Due To Dubious Sign-Ups, Oz Says
The CMS administrator says he thinks fraud, duplicative sign-ups, and enrollment mistakes might have contributed to “too high of a number” of participants. Plus, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing to remodel the health insurance exchanges.
To Remedy Past Bias, Black Patients Get Credit On Kidney Transplant List
Researchers reported Monday that thousands of Black kidney transplant candidates have moved up in priority on the waiting list. This comes as a remedy for a racially biased medical test that’s no longer in use. Other industry news is on infection-related cancers after transplants, shrinking health care jobs, and more.
VA Would Fund Psychedelic Treatments For Veterans Under Proposed Bill
The bill is sponsored by Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat and Marine Corps veteran. The legislation would designate the Department of Veterans Affairs’ medical facilities as “innovative therapies centers of excellence” and calls for $30 million to be appropriated each fiscal year “to support the research and education activities of the centers.”
Study Finds Multivitamins May Delay Biological Aging In Older Adults
Meanwhile, a small study has linked wildfire smoke inhalation to a decline in mental well-being. The data show that even a few days of exposure can lead to temporary bouts of depression.
First Edition: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Discord Among Oregon Lawmakers, Docs, Corporate Health Care Deepens
State lawmakers had tried to prevent national chains from moving in and replacing local physicians, but nonprofit PeaceHealth tapped an Atlanta-based company to staff its Oregon emergency rooms, STAT reports. Doctors, lawmakers, and others are pushing back on that decision.
North Carolina Health Plan Offers Free Surgeries To State Workers
The North Carolina State Health Plan is rolling out to more than 700,000 teachers, state workers, and their families. The unusual approach is an effort to save the state money on health care in the long run. Plus, news from New Hampshire, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, and elsewhere.
About 3 Out Of Every 4 American Teens Aren’t Getting Enough Sleep
Researchers aren’t sure what’s behind the rise in insufficient sleep, but screen time doesn’t seem to be the cause. Other wellness news is on a baby sleepsuit recall, the pandemic’s impact on the cognitive development of young children, and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on these topics and others.
Vinay Prasad Leaving Role As FDA’s Top Vaccine And Biotech Regulator
Prasad, who has been embroiled in recent controversial decisions at the Food and Drug Administration, will leave in late April. Separately, surgeon general nominee Casey Means is facing opposition on multiple fronts. Also, 11 more children have died from flu-related complications.
FDA Shifts Away From Advisory Panel Meetings; Transparency Worries Grow
Industry leaders and academics are concerned that decision-making input from agency leaders, drug developers, patients, and physicians has largely been cast aside during the Trump administration. Plus, Democrats are going to drugmakers directly for information about Trump’s drug deals.
Novo Nordisk, Hims & Hers Reportedly End Obesity Drug Feud, Aim To Partner
The potential partnership comes a month after Novo sued Hims over obesity drug knockoffs. Also: A new study finds that generic versions of Ozempic and Wegovy could be sold for less than $3 a month.
First Edition: Monday, March 9, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on FDA denials, cashless bail, mental health, and more.
Kids’ Online Safety Act Clears House Panel But Faces Rocky Road In Senate
The bill would set new requirements for parental controls and require certain online platforms to put policies in place to address certain harms to kids online, Roll Call reported.
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Noem Ousted As DHS Chief Amid Scrutiny Over Immigration Crackdown
According to two people who spoke to The Washington Post on condition of anonymity, President Trump told advisers that he had grown increasingly unhappy with Kristi Noem after the surge of thousands of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota in December and January, an escalation that led to the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at the VA.