Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Trump Halts $2B For Harvard Over DEI; Scientists ‘Excited’ School Isn’t Bowing
The White House had demanded that the university, a health research powerhouse, eliminate DEI programs and change its hiring policies. Other research universities, such as Columbia, have recently acquiesced to President Trump’s demands. In other administration news: DOGE is reportedly trying to remove immigrants from their housing and jobs.
Feds Open Pharmaceutical Import Inquiry, Teeing Up Transition To Tariffs
Investigators are examining medicines and active ingredients to determine whether production can be boosted domestically.
CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel Meeting Today After Months Of Delay
Under the cloud of recent staff cuts and vaccine hesitancy, the committee’s independent experts will make recommendations on a variety of immunizations. Separately, months before covid-19 was even detected in the United States — and before testing was available — several service members returned from China with covid-like symptoms, a recently released Pentagon report states.
Man Threatening Violence Arrested Outside UnitedHealth Corporate HQ
“There is currently no indication that the individual had specific grievances against UnitedHealthcare,” Minnetonka, Minnesota, spokesman Andy Wittenborg said in a statement. Meanwhile, millions of dollars are being spent by health care systems to increase their security in the wake of heightened workplace violence.
Ransomware Attack Hits Kidney Care Provider DaVita
Parts of DaVita’s network were locked down by the attack, and the company has not yet provided a timeline for recovery. DaVita works with over 700 U.S. hospitals providing kidney dialysis. In pharma and tech news: the cancer risk posed by CT scans; antimicrobial resistance in kids; and more.
Less Travel For Abortions In 2024, But Overall Numbers Continue To Rise
A recent survey by the Guttmacher Institute showed that the number of Americans traveling out of state for abortions fell by 9% from 2023 to 2024, even as abortions are on the rise throughout the country. Another study suggests pills account for 1 in 10 abortions in states with bans.
Many Donated Organs Never Make It To A Recipient
According to CBS News, last year nearly 12,000 donated organs were never transplanted and ended up as medical waste. In other news, a study examined a potential link between cannabis use disorder and dementia; and a large-scale analysis found that the use of technology may reduce the risk of cognitive decline as we age, challenging earlier claims to the contrary.
First Edition: Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Let’s Keep Realistic CRISPR Expectations; ‘Most Favored Nation’ Drug Pricing Falls Short
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Drug Tariffs Will Affect Millions Of Americans And Could Complicate Care
Many drugs use active ingredients that are manufactured outside the U.S., among them the anticoagulant heparin, which 12 million patients use each year. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca’s Chairman Michel Demaré says pharmaceutical tariffs will hurt patients.
CMS Proposes Hospital Pay Hike For 2026
Under the proposed rule for fiscal 2026, Medicare reimbursements for inpatient hospital care would rise 2.4%. Reimbursements for long-term care hospitals would rise 2.6%, and nursing home reimbursements would rise 2.8%. Other Medicare and Medicaid news is on pricey bandages, provider taxes, and more.
Measles Cases Surpass 700 With 7 Outbreaks, Several Pop-Up Infections
The Texas-New Mexico hot spot accounts for nearly 600 of the confirmed cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Roughly 97% of people with infections are either unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
Idaho Judge Orders State To Expand Exemptions In Near-Total Abortion Ban
Four women represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights sued to bring clarity exceptions to the ban. Idaho’s abortion ban is among the strictest in the country. Meanwhile, the Wyoming Supreme Court will hear a case regarding its abortion ban, and Texas lawmakers eye tweaks to their law.
Tennessee Audit Of Express Scripts Finds It Violated State Laws
Express Scripts is one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S. The state found that the company did not properly reimburse pharmacies and favored its own specialty pharmacies over others. Other news comes from Florida, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and California.
Asthma Risk Higher In Kids Exposed To Ozone Pollution Early In Life
The analysis showed exposure before age 2 increased the risk of asthma and wheezing by age 4. Other news is on the link between covid and heart disease; creatine supplement effectiveness; and more.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
Today’s stories are on blindness, tremors, tattoos, fatherhood, and more.
Kennedy’s Comments Alarm FDA Employees During Friday’s Visit
Politico reports that in his speech to employees, HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. referenced the “deep state” and human mind control. He also referred to the people in the audience as “sock puppets.” Several staffers reportedly walked out mid-speech.
Oz Tells States Not To Use Medicaid For Gender-Affirming Care
New CMS administrator Mehmet Oz sent out a letter Friday. Plus: Experts express doubt about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s autism timetable and criticize him for giving families false hope.
President Trump Touts Physical, Cognitive Health After Medical Exam
Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, his doctor, proclaimed Donald Trump is “fully fit” to carry out the duties of his office. The full medical report is available.