Latest KFF Health News Stories
AI Model Holds Promise For Autism Assessment, Brain Mapping
Researchers hope the new model can help toward improving backlogged assessment pathways. Other news is on the reporting of hospital-acquired infections, long covid among older adults, a drug trial for late-stage breast cancer, and more.
With Wegovy Pill Coming Soon, Its Maker Seeks To Regain Industry Lead
Novo Nordisk is poised to shake up the weight loss medication landscape again next year with the first-to-market pill. But pharmaceutical competitors are on its heels. Other health industry news reports on telehealth, hospital rankings, and more.
CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel Abandons Universal Covid Shot Recommendation
The panel had previously supported an annual covid vaccine shot for anyone 6 months and older. Now, after a unanimous vote, the panel says it is up to individuals to choose. Meanwhile, ACIP put off a vote on whether newborns should get a dose of the hepatitis B shot.
GOP Mulls Modifying ACA Tax Credits — And Then Extending Them
Although a federal shutdown looms, Axios reports Republican leaders as saying that any extension of the subsidies would not be part of stopgap legislation to keep the government open into November. Other news is on telehealth and hospital-at-home programs, Medicaid work requirements, and more.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 22, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Where Do Docs Get Paid The Most? Rochester, Minn., Home Of Mayo Clinic
Physicians in the Rochester metro area make $495,532 a year on average. This was the first year Doximity included Rochester in its annual rankings, MPR News reported, after expanding its analysis from the top 50 most populous metro areas to the top 60.
Despite New Texas Law, Abortion Pill Providers Refuse To Obey In Advance
On Wednesday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that allows residents to sue someone they suspect of manufacturing, distributing, or mailing abortion medication into the state. In response, out-of-state providers have vowed to continue providing care.
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 obesity, weight loss, terminal cancer, natural childbirth, and more.
Opinion writers examine these public health issues.
Vaccine Panel Proposes Splitting MMR, Varicella Shots For Kids Under 4
The recommendation stems from data that indicate young children have a small risk for febrile seizures. Public health experts question the motive behind the change, with one noting: “This feels like using a known, disclosed, managed risk to undermine confidence in the entire schedule.” Next up for ACIP review: hepatitis B, and vaccines given during pregnancy.
US Shifts Strategy On Global Health Aid
After dismantling the United States Agency for International Development, the State Department will turn to multi-year bilateral agreements that require recipient nations to pony up funds for health initiatives while meeting “performance benchmarks.” Plus, the HHS overhaul remains blocked.
Fight Over ACA Subsidies Will Decide Fate Of Stopgap Funding Bill In House
The House will vote today. The Republican measure would fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats say Congress won’t have the votes to get the bill passed unless it addresses health care policies. High on Democrats’ priority list is an extension of ACA subsidies, which would cost the government roughly $350 billion, the CBO estimates.
Chemical Breakthrough Could Lower Some Drug Production Costs, Prices
Researchers are exploring a cost-reducing pathway to produce one of the crucial building blocks in cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics. Plus, news on specialty pharmacies; autoimmune drug production; obesity drug marketing; and more.
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Eli Lilly Study Shows Mounjaro As New Way To Fight Childhood Diabetes
The positive results show that the shot reduced blood sugar levels by an average of about 2% in kids as young as 10, as well as a 10% reduction in body weight after a year of treatment. Plus: how GLP-1 drugs could help patients on antipsychotics live longer; the link between medical imaging and blood cancer in kids; and more.
Study: Vitamin B3 Linked To A Reduction In Skin Cancer Risk
Researchers found the biggest reduction in risk among people who began taking B3 after their first skin cancer diagnosis. Other public health coverage is on the benefits of blueberries on infants’ immune systems, mental health, and more.
Blind People Decry Changes To Iowa’s Independent-Living Program
A state training initiative ended a requirement that people in the program use sleep shades, or eye masks that block out all light. Former participants say the shades are critical to understanding how much a vision-impaired person can achieve in daily life, especially if the person is newly impaired.
Fired CDC Director Says RFK Jr. Wanted Her To Preapprove Vaccine Changes
In her Wednesday testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Dr. Susan Monarez outlined how she was expected to preemptively approve changes to the childhood vaccine schedule without evidence or data and fire other scientists without cause.