Latest KFF Health News Stories
In A First, Plastic Surgeon Group Sides Against Youth Gender Care Surgeries
The Washington Post reports that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the first major U.S. medical association to narrow its guidance on youth gender care following a crackdown by the Trump administration. Other news on gender care comes from New York, Minnesota, and California.
Staffing Worries Mount As Health Care Workers Must Pay $100K H-1B Visa Fee
Medical organizations have petitioned DHS to exempt health care workers in the H-1B visa program. Other health industry news is on nursing shortages; the carbon footprint of a popular anesthetic; the dangers of duplicate medical records; and more.
New Mexico Health Department Warns Against Raw Milk After Infant’s Death
The child died of listeria, allegedly after its mother drank unpasteurized milk while pregnant. In unrelated news, two infants developed severe neurologic symptoms after infection with Paenibacillus dendritiformis, an emerging infectious-disease threat.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
$1.2T Spending Package Boosts HHS, Funds Bipartisan Health Care Measures
The one-year funding bill, which gives Health and Human Services $20 billion more than the administration had requested, provides a five-year extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home program and a two-year extension for Medicare telehealth flexibilities, Fierce Healthcare reported. It also introduces reforms to pharmacy benefit manager practices.
Bhattacharya Gives Senate A Glimpse Of Changes Being Made At NIH
Some of the reforms underway include centralized peer review, a new analytic office, stronger oversight, and a unified funding strategy to better align investments with national health priorities, MedPage Today reported. Plus, news about the FDA’s drug voucher program.
NIH Director Contradicts RFK Jr.’s Theory That Vaccines Cause Autism
“I have not seen a study that suggests any single vaccine causes autism,” Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health said, emphasizing that there has been no link found between the MMR vaccine and autism, but that other vaccines are “less well studied.”
First Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Under New State Law, Texas Man Sues California Doctor Over Abortion Pills
A Texas law that took effect Dec. 4 allows private citizens to sue anyone who manufactures, distributes, mails, or provides abortion medication to or from the state. Plus: The issue of recreational pot won’t appear on Florida’s ballots after petition signatures fell short.
Researchers Discover How To Turn Off Chronic Inflammation
Researchers at the University College London have found that promoting tiny, fat-derived molecules called epoxy-oxylipins can help regulate a type of immune cell linked to chronic inflammation. Plus: why men develop heart disease earlier than women; the gap in hypertension control in the U.S.; and more.
Emerging Bat-Borne Virus Found In Suspected Nipah Virus Patients’ Swabs
Bangladeshi researchers are uncovering a worrying co-circulation of the dangerous bat-borne virus Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) and NiV, which has led to the recommendation that patients with NiV-like illness also be scanned for PRV. Plus: The fallout from foreign aid cuts, and more.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Measles Reported At Crowded ICE Site In Texas; Doctors Seek Urgent Action
One San Antonio-based physician implored the state to take “an immediate, unified command-and-control of the measles outbreak.” He emphasized that “this is a public health emergency,” given workers who come and go from the facility can spread the disease.
RFK Jr. Unveils $100M Faith-Based Plan To Stem ‘Spiritual Disease’ Of Addiction
The Safety Through Recovery, Engagement and Evidence-Based Treatment and Supports (STREETS) initiative expands the role of religious organizations in helping people who are both homeless and mentally ill or addicted, The New York Times reported. More administration news is about animal testing, NIH workers, a Planned Parenthood lawsuit, and more.
HHS Aggressively Rolling Out AI, Data Show, But Transparency Is Missing
A year into President Trump’s revamped federal AI plans, new data show that while the Department of Health and Human Services’ use of AI tools is up by 64%, only two of the 467 use cases identify adverse impacts, appeal processes, and incorporate feedback from users and the public, achieving “high-impact” status. Both are in the pre-deployment phase.
First Edition: Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Speaker Johnson Hopeful He’ll Secure A Quick End To Government Shutdown
Funding measures for Health and Human Services and other departments cleared the Senate, but the appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security has been pulled back for more consideration. The House must again take up votes on the measures passed by the Senate.
More States Are Rolling Out New SNAP Work Requirements
The requirements mean that 18- to 64-year-olds without dependents will have to work a minimum of 80 hours a month to be eligible. Those not meeting the requirements can receive benefits for only three months within a three-year period. Rollout has been varied across states.
Justice Department Begins Civil Rights Inquiry Into Nurse’s Killing In Minn.
Alex Pretti was shot and killed Jan. 24 while protesting federal agents. The Department of Homeland Security is also investigating the shooting, Bloomberg reported.