Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Novo Nordisk Ups Ante Against Lilly, Offers GLP-1 Cash Subscription Plans

Morning Briefing

Starting Tuesday, the Danish drugmaker will offer subscriptions for three months, six months, or 12 months through select telehealth partners, including Ro, Weight Watchers, and LifeMD. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk has cut 400 jobs at its Bloomington, Indiana, facility.

Judge Orders Trump Admin To Scrap New Criteria For Homelessness Funding

Morning Briefing

Plaintiffs in the case had argued against new political considerations for receiving funds that included whether jurisdictions “support sanctuary protections, harm reduction practices, or inclusive policies for transgender people.” Other state news is from California, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, and Alabama.

CMS Calls On Hospitals To Swap Out Junk Food For Wholesome Options

Morning Briefing

In line with MAHA messaging, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has asked facilities to prioritize whole grains, get rid of sugary drinks, and provide meals that have fewer than 10 grams of added sugar. Plus, the American Heart Association’s new dietary guidelines buck those issued by the government.

CVS To Open More Stores This Year Than It Closes, Signaling Comeback

Morning Briefing

Over the past four years, as health insurers have cut drug reimbursements and consumers have increasingly turned to discount chains or online shopping, CVS has closed more than 1,100 locations while only opening 200. This year the company is predicting opening about 60 stores, including nearly 20 pharmacy-only sites, Bloomberg reported.

After 1-Year Delay, Montana Governor Signs Bill Defining Sex As Binary

Morning Briefing

The bill — which defines sex as either male or female, depending on a person’s reproductive system — technically passed the Legislature in April 2025, but it appears to have been delayed from the governor intentionally to prevent it from becoming entangled in litigation. Still, the new law likely will be challenged in court.

Mexico Decries ICE Facility Conditions, Vows Action After 14th National Dies

Morning Briefing

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country will file a brief in support of a federal lawsuit over detention conditions at U.S. ICE centers and raise the matter with the Organization of American States, which promotes human rights. Plus, California alleges the government is still sharing private health data with immigration officials despite a court order to stop.

Seattle Sees Dramatic Decline In Syphilis Cases After DoxyPEP Rollout

Morning Briefing

Using public data from January 2017 to June 2025, researchers saw a 52% relative reduction in overall syphilis cases after the post-exposure prophylaxis was introduced in March 2023 compared with the pre-implementation period. The process involves taking a dose of the antibiotic doxycycline within 72 hours of unprotected sex and is recommended for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women who have sex with men.

Twice As Many People Are Now Paying Over $500 A Month For ACA Premiums

Morning Briefing

CMS data show total enrollment in ACA plans dipped by about 5%. The decline is expected to deepen as people who can’t pay the higher-priced premiums drop off plans. Plus, more than half of Medicaid beneficiaries could be at risk of losing coverage for not meeting work requirements, a study found.

Trump Administration Looks To Shave 20% Off NIH Research Funding: Sources

Morning Briefing

The White House denies that it will call for less funding for the National Institutes of Health. Lawmakers last year rebuffed such a suggestion, even increasing the amount set aside for the biomedical research agency.

Ex-ACIP Panelist Slams White House For Stifling RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Policy

Morning Briefing

The Trump administration is making a political calculation that silencing Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s talk about vaccines could help Republicans in the midterms, says Robert Malone, who quit as vice chair of the committee. It’s a move that is alienating the MAHA base, he warns.

Colorado’s Medicaid Cuts Could Double 7-Year Wait For Adult Disability Care

Morning Briefing

Because of the funding cuts, the state will now add one person to the adult developmental disabilities waiver for every two who exit, potentially doubling the waitlist to 14 years. Other states in the news: Connecticut, Illinois, Alabama, California, and Texas.

Pelvic Scans Offer New Understanding Of Women’s Sexual Function, Anatomy

Morning Briefing

Researchers say they have created the first 3D scans of the entire network of clitoral nerves. The insight could provide crucial information about the organ’s role in sexual arousal and orgasm and also is likely to help with reconstructive surgery after female genital mutilation. The work has not yet been peer-reviewed, The Guardian noted.

GOP Eyeing ACA Subsidy Cuts, Other Health Care Moves To Pay For Iran War

Morning Briefing

But redirecting health care funding during an election year might be a sticking point for moderate Republicans, who could thwart efforts that appear to chip away at constituents’ needs. Plus, the war is pinching health care supply chains.

ACA Exchange Plan Carriers Denied Nearly 1 in 5 Claims In 2024: Report

Morning Briefing

Fewer than 1% of denials were appealed by members, and insurers stood by their original decisions in 66% of challenges. The trade and advocacy group AHIP said in a statement: “The vast majority of denials are due to incorrect or incomplete claim submissions from providers, duplicate claims, claims for unproven or unsafe treatments and services, or for services that are not part of covered benefits.”