Latest KFF Health News Stories
Aetna Is Leaving ACA Marketplace
A million Affordable Care Act enrollees across 17 states will have to find alternate coverage in 2026. Separately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services now has a center to fight waste, fraud, and abuse. Also, the Milken Institute is creating a Women’s Health Network to study women’s issues.
CVS Chooses Novo Over Lilly, As Top GLP-1 Drugs Face Off Over Prices
Eli Lilly & Co. and Novo Nordisk A/S are competing for drug contracts in the aftermath of drug price scrutiny. Novo has managed to secure a contract with CVS, beating out its competitor. Other news is on cost-cutting; the fallout of tariffs; the quality of compounding pharmacies; and more.
NY Eases Requirements To Forcibly Hospitalize Those With Mental Illness
New York state will now authorize first responders to involuntarily hospitalize New Yorkers who cannot meet their own basic needs such as food, shelter, or medical care. Other news comes from Texas, Florida, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Michigan.
New 400-Page HHS Report Condemns Gender-Affirming Care For Youths
It’s unclear who wrote the report, which snubs the advice and recommendations of top medical groups. It was immediately criticized by pediatric groups and transgender rights advocates.
First Edition: Friday, May 2, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine these public health issues.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
‘All New Vaccines’ To Undergo Placebo Testing For Approval, HHS Says
Public health experts worry the policy change would not only cast doubt on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines but would limit production and access. Separately, a decades-long pursuit of universal vaccines gets a $500 million boost.
Federal Funding Pulled From Campaign To Prevent Infant Sleep-Related Deaths
The Trump administration’s decision to end federal participation in the Safe to Sleep campaign comes as recent data show sudden infant deaths rising. Also: Education Department grant cuts, animals in federally funded research, PEPFAR cut impacts, and more.
Pa. Lawmakers Request Criminal Probe Over Crozer Health Closure
A group of state lawmakers pressed the attorney general to launch an investigation for the shuttering of Crozer Health by California-based private health company Prospect Medical Holdings. Envision Healthcare, Teladoc, Two Chairs, Epic, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and the Leapfrog Group are also in the news.
LA County Offers Isolated California Hospital A $3M Lifeline
Financially struggling Catalina Island Health faces insolvency as early as July. In other news from California: today’s UC health worker strike; a probe into health data sharing with LinkedIn; the soda tax in Santa Cruz; and more.
Missouri Senate Panel Pushes Resolution To Reinstate Abortion Ban
A Republican effort to overturn Amendment 3 — which voters approved in November with 51.6% of the vote — advanced Wednesday, St. Louis Public Radio reported.
Diabetes Death Rates At Lowest Level Since Start Of Pandemic: CDC
Diabetes deaths peaked in 2021 at the height of the covid pandemic, but they’ve been trending down. Although levels are still higher than before the start of covid, they are the lowest they have been in years, preliminary data show. Simultaneously, breast cancer deaths among young women fell between 2010 and 2020.
Autism Cases Are Not Becoming ‘More Severe,’ New Research Underlines
The findings, which will be presented this week at the International Society for Autism Research, show that only mild autism cases rose between 2000 and 2016. Meanwhile, the White House has so far declined to include key autism advocacy groups and researchers in its efforts to address autism.
First Edition: Thursday, May 1, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Gilead Sciences Will Pay $202 Million To Settle Alleged Kickbacks To Doctors
From 2011 to 2017, Gilead held dinners to promote its HIV medications at expensive restaurants that federal authorities claim were “wholly inappropriate” venues, Stat reported. Gilead said it settled to avoid the cost and distraction of potential litigation.
Florida Poised To Ban Fluoride In Public Water, Following Utah’s Lead
The chemical additive has been used to prevent tooth decay. The bill, which passed the state House on Tuesday, awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. Other news is about PBM regulations, sick leave, life expectancy trends, and more.
Texas Senate Votes Unanimously To Clarify Abortion Ban Exceptions
The bill now heads to the Texas House for approval. At the same time, the Texas Senate is cracking down on abortion pills. Other states making abortion news include North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
Editorial writers discuss the following public health topics.
FDA Rethinking Fall Covid Shots; Scientists Told To Halt Bird Flu Forum
FDA Chief Dr. Marty Makary said Tuesday that he’d “like to see some good data” on the vaccines before deciding whether to approve a new version later this year. Plus: Reuters reports that the CDC told the National Academy of Sciences to cancel a workshop on how to prevent human bird flu infections.