Latest KFF Health News Stories
Biden’s Alleged Mental Decline Probed; Biden Calls Claims ‘Ridiculous’
President Donald Trump has called for an investigation into whether former President Joe Biden’s aides helped to cover up an alleged decline in his mental acuity. Biden states that all his decisions as president were his own. Other White House news covers vaccine policies, funding cuts, and more.
Tax Bill Would Slash $1 Trillion From Medicaid, Health Care System: CBO
Analysis from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that $1 trillion would be cut over a decade, with Medicaid budget losses making up the biggest part — despite President Donald Trump’s claims that the bill would make “no cuts” to the social safety net program. Also in the news: ACA tax credits, Medicare drug prices, and more.
First Edition: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss the following public health issues.
Survey Shows Health Care Workers Use More AI At Home Than At Work
This holds true across the board for nurses and physicians. Also in industry news: Orlando Health holds its second mental health conference; A judge denies a motion to dismiss lawsuits accusing Claritev of colluding with insurers to reduce pay for out-of-network providers; and more.
Mississippi Public Health Advocates Find Opioid Settlement Plan Unsettling
Some fear lawmakers will allow money to be spent on issues other than addressing and preventing overdoses. Other states making news include Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, and California.
Immunotherapy Shows Promise As A ‘Potential Cure’ For Multiple Myeloma
In a small study, a third of the participants with multiple myeloma, a common blood cancer which has up until now been deemed incurable, seem to have had their cancer disappear, The New York Times reports. The immunotherapy was developed by China-based Legend Biotech. Plus, a suggestion to lower the screening age for colon cancer.
Hospitals Aren’t Required to Perform Emergency Abortions, Feds Now Say
In reversing the Biden-era guidance, the Trump administration has lifted EMTALA measures that allowed doctors to perform abortions when necessary, irrespective of the legality of the procedure in the state. HHS and CMS say that this previous guidance does not “reflect the policy of this Administration.”
USDA Confirms Third Avian Flu Outbreak At A Large Arizona Farm
The H5N1 avian flu virus has affected nearly 1.4 million birds. With the most recent outbreak, three of Arizona’s largest layer farms have been infected, leading to the loss of more than 5 million birds. Other outbreak news reports on measles, norovirus, covid, and more.
New Study Links Cannabis Use With Compromised Heart Health
The small study, published in JAMA Cardiology, found the vascular effects applied whether the cannabis was eaten or smoked. Other science and research news is on anorexia in later life, MIS-C, Pepto Bismol, and more.
Trump Eyes July 4 Deadline For Tax Bill As Senate Faces A Three-Week Sprint
AP points out that Democrats are loudly criticizing GOP proposals to cut Medicaid, food stamps, and green energy investments as part of the huge tax bill. Other news from Capitol Hill is on cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid, and the bill’s impact on Obamacare.
First Edition: Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Traveling Internationally? The CDC Suggests Getting A Measles Vaccine
Other public health news is on a dip in the rate of childhood MMR vaccinations over the past five years; an increase in pertussis cases; a Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers; and more.
Kidney Care Company Vantive To Invest $1 Billion In New Technology
Vantive is putting more money toward research, development, and manufacturing. Other health industry news is on Advocate Health, Centene, Ballad Health, Sanofi, and more.
Brain-Implantable Device Companies Vie For FDA Approval
Paradromics’ Brain-Computer Interface has been tested briefly in a patient with epilepsy. Neuralink, Precision Neuroscience, and Synchron also have devices in the works. Other news looks at a combination drug to treat extensive-stage small cell lung cancer; the MIND diet to protect against Alzheimer’s; and more.
FBI Solicits Info On Those Providing Gender-Affirming Care For Minors
Meanwhile, other news reports focus on the difficulty faced by veterans in getting mental health care outside the VA; a GAO report on how the NIH tracks unused funds; the FDA’s launch of an AI tool agencywide; and more.
Republicans Are Quietly Working To Undermine Key Parts Of Obamacare
They’re avoiding the “repeal-and-replace” branding that riled up opponents last time around, but congressional Republicans are looking to make changes to the Affordable Care Act that could leave 10.7 million fewer people with health insurance, The Washington Post reports.
Health Experts Warn Proposed Budget Cuts Will Unravel Decades Of Progress
MedPage Today and Fierce Healthcare examine the Trump administration’s 2026 budget proposal, released Friday. Proposed funding cuts will affect public health programs, research initiatives, cancer, HIV, hepatitis, and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.