Latest KFF Health News Stories
ACIP Vice Chair Resigns After Judge Questions Advisers’ Qualifications
A federal judge said last week that Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices panelists do not have the expertise needed to make vaccine recommendations. Dr. Robert Malone cited “uncompensated labor, incredible hate from many quarters” as some of the reasons for why he quit the panel.
Children’s Mental Health Suffered On Meta’s Platforms, N.M. Jury Determines
Jurors in New Mexico concluded that Meta violated parts of the state’s Unfair Practices Act and engaged in “unconscionable” trade practices that compromised children’s safety, the AP reported.
Experts Worry ‘Hib,’ A Deadly Pediatric Illness, Could Make A Comeback
Pediatricians are expressing alarm that Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib, could be making a return as vaccine hesitancy rises. According to MedPage Today, serious cases are being reported in California, New York, Florida, and elsewhere. Also in the news: measles, alpha-gal syndrome, RSV, and more.
Belgian Drugmaker UCB To Build Factory Outside Atlanta, Add 330 Jobs
The rapidly growing company will spend $2 billion on the suburban Atlanta plant, marking a major expansion into the U.S. Other industry news is on insulin pricing, doctors’ drug kickbacks, and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these public health problems.
CMS Ditching Antiquated Fax Machines For Claims-Related Documentation
With the exception of prior authorization, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is shifting to electronic submission standards for attachments and digital signatures. The agency expects to save $781 million annually with the change. Plus, the challenge of finding a new CDC director.
Highly Mutated Covid Strain That’s Lurking In US Could Cause Trouble
The BA.3.2 variant has been detected in wastewater samples from 25 states. The strain is “genetically distinct from the JN.1 lineages that have circulated in the United States since January 2024,” CDC researchers said. The current formulation of the 2025-26 covid vaccine targets the JN.1 subvariants — which means BA.3.2 might have the ability to evade protection from vaccines.
Despite Restrictive State Laws, Number Of Abortions In US Remains Consistent
An estimated 1,126,000 people ended pregnancies in 2025, roughly the same number as in 2024, according to a Guttmacher Institute report. More people relied on telemedicine and fewer people were forced to travel to obtain abortions, the report suggests.
18% Of Deaths Among Hospitalized Kids In US Linked To Sepsis: Study
The study was based on electronic health records and included data from nearly 4 million admissions from 2016 through 2023. Also: Axios looks at how the Trump administration’s visa policy may be sidelining possibly thousands of foreign-born doctors.
Congress Will Open Inquiry Into Alleged Hospice Fraud In California
In an announcement Monday, House Republicans alleged “rampant hospice fraud” in Southern California that is costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Other states making news: Minnesota, Nebraska, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, and more.
Eating Disorder Hospitalizations Fall To Pre-Pandemic Levels
Starting in October 2024, eating disorder-related hospitalizations among 8- to 25-year-olds dropped to about 350 per month, which is on par with the pre-pandemic period. Also: the impact of exercise on Alzheimer’s risk; sleep EEGs to predict dementia; and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
OB-GYNs Urge More Insurers To Follow UnitedHealthcare’s Lead On Doulas
Some physicians say insurance coverage for doulas should be the norm. UnitedHealthcare was the first major insurer to offer the benefit nationwide, NBC News reported. Studies suggest doulas can reduce the rates of preterm births, cesarean sections, and postpartum depression. Separately, researchers see a link between midwife care and lower childhood vaccination rates.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
TrumpRx Adds Three More Medicines As Ninth Drugmaker Joins Platform
The discounted drugs from German manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim are Jentadueto and Jentadueto XR, for Type 2 diabetes, as well as the COPD drug Striverdi Respimat, NBC News reported. Plus, the effects of the Iran war on drug supply chains; a gene-therapy drug shortage; and more.
CMS Is Weighing Medicare Advantage As Recipients’ Default Enrollment Path
Individuals could still opt into a different insurance arrangement, according to Medicare Director Chris Klomp. Meanwhile, President Trump’s surgeon general nominee is still facing pushback.
Hospitals Offer A Record 44,344 Residency Positions On Match Day
That’s a 2.6% increase in positions offered compared with 2025, according to the National Resident Matching Program, though a slightly lower percentage of the offered positions were filled, compared with last year.
VA Worker Shot At Ga. Clinic Has Died; Gunman Sought Mental Health Consult
The victim was identified as Nicholas “Nic” Crews, 34, a social work case manager who had worked at the Jasper clinic for nearly three years. Crews died at the hospital a day after the March 17 shooting. His widow is 38 weeks pregnant with their third child, Military.com reported.