Latest KFF Health News Stories
White House Expands Medicaid Fraud Probe, Turns Spotlight To New York
The look at New York’s program comes a week after the Trump administration froze nearly $260 million of Minnesota’s Medicaid funding. Also in the news: the impact of the Medicaid work mandate on homeless Californians; the rate of Tylenol use by pregnant women in ERs after President Donald Trump’s September autism comments; and more.
Community Health Systems Selling 4 Arkansas Hospitals To Pay Down Debt
Missouri-based Freeman Health System has agreed to buy the hospitals, along with outpatient centers and physician practices, allowing it to expand its reach into neighboring Arkansas. Plus, Amazon Web Services, CVS Health, and Salesforce move forward with AI health tools.
FDA Alleges Uniqure Misrepresented Request In Rare-Disease Drug Approval
FDA and HHS officials have publicly attacked Uniqure, the biotech company seeking approval for a Huntington’s disease treatment, and accused it of lying about requests made by the FDA for additional studies involving placebo brain surgery, which the company has characterized as unethical. The company says the anonymous FDA statements “are incomplete or entirely incorrect.”
DC Officials Declare Potomac River Safe, But Locals Still Wary Of Sewage
Over six weeks ago, a major sewage line collapsed, sending 243 million gallons of sewage into the river. Despite health authorities stating it is now safe to get back into the water, citizens remain skeptical. Plus, news from Maryland, Minnesota, West Virginia, Georgia, New York, and elsewhere.
First Edition: Friday, March 6, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers delve into these public health topics.
Missouri Lawmaker: Money Meant For Needy Sent To Anti-Abortion Centers
In recent years, at least eight states have given funds, meant to help families experiencing poverty, to crisis pregnancy centers. As many as $2 of every $3 for pregnancy centers in Missouri is expected to come from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in the 2026 fiscal year.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
At Hearing, House GOP Scolds Minn. Governor Over Medicaid Fraud Scandal
Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said the government has flooded his state with ICE agents “under the guise of combating fraud.” Plus: The New York Times reviewed nearly 200 lawsuits challenging the president’s power to withhold funding, including from hospitals that don’t alter their services and nonprofits that don’t embrace his gender views.
RFK Jr. Decides What Public Health Proof Is Within HHS Purview, DOJ Says
In a lawsuit challenging the legality of changes made to the country’s vaccine policy, the government contends Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may choose what evidence to consider and whom to consult, Stat reported.
Texas ICE Facility That’s On Lockdown For Measles Has Contract Reassessed
The Department of Homeland Security has faced growing scrutiny over the living conditions at Camp East Montana, a detention center at Fort Bliss in El Paso. Plus: A Haitian man has died at an Arizona detention center after suffering an untreated toothache, his brother says.
Study: GLP-1s May Help Fight Addiction To Smoking, Alcohol, Opioids
Meanwhile, Eli Lilly has launched an Employer Contract, its direct-to-employer platform for GLP-1s. Plus, researchers find that most patients can keep the weight off with less frequent GLP-1 shots.
A Month After Launch, TrumpRx Faces Lack Of Metrics, Drug Availability
STAT reports that administration officials have declined to offer details on the number of new drugs expected to be added, when that might happen, or how many people have used the site.
First Edition: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Jury Finds Father Of Georgia School Shooting Suspect Guilty Of Murder
Colin Gray, who gave his teenage son a gun for Christmas, was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. His sentencing will take place at a later date. Other news from around the nation is on drug affordability in Virginia; mental health courts in California; and more.
2 Patient-Assistance Charity Groups Merge To Form $800M Foundation
The merger of the Patient Advocate Foundation and the Patient Access Network Foundation will allow them to better serve low- and middle-income patients facing rising health care costs, leaders say. Also: Insurers react to CMS’ proposed 2027 Medicare Advantage rates.
CVS Warns Tenn. Bill Would ‘Devastate’ Access, Force 134 Pharmacies To Close
Legislation in the state Senate would ban pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) — such as CVS Caremark — from owning or controlling pharmacies in Tennessee.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
HHS Postpones Third Straight Meeting Of US Preventive Services Task Force
The group that makes recommendations on preventive health care services has not met in a year, and this latest meeting has not been rescheduled. Meanwhile, the Camp East Montana immigration facility in Texas is off-limits to outsiders amid a measles outbreak.