Latest KFF Health News Stories
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 federal funding and workforce cuts, ACIP, weight loss drugs, birthing alternatives, and more.
Double-Digit Premium Increases May Be Headed To Obamacare Plans In 2026
A sharp drop is also expected in the federal subsidies that most consumers depend on to buy ACA plans. Also in the news: a lawsuit to block Obamacare changes, the challenge of tracking Medicaid patients’ work status, and more.
CMS Gives ICE Access To Medicaid Recipients’ Data, Including Addresses
The agreement, signed Monday between CMS and DHS, has not been announced publicly, AP reports. Other Trump administration news is on gender-affirming care for youth, President Donald Trump’s vein disorder, Juul e-cigarettes, childhood immunizations and more.
US Global HIV/AIDS Program Survives Trump’s Spending Cuts
Earlier versions of a spending cuts package targeted PEPFAR, the popular global AIDS relief program. The White House agreed to spare the program to avoid defections, and the spending cuts passed the Senate on Thursday.
Majority Of US Pregnant Women Don’t Plan To Fully Vaccinate Kids: Survey
Researchers from Emory University and the CDC found that only 35% to 40% of pregnant and new parents plan to fully vaccinate their children. In other news: A shortened drug regimen for drug-resistant TB shows some promise; Farm pesticides might be causing rheumatoid arthritis; and more.
Physicians Who Use AI Seen As Less Competent, Trustworthy, Empathetic
A study, which polled more than 1,200 people, found that participants were less willing to book appointments when any type of AI use was indicated. More industry news is on the fund to bolster rural health care; discounts on the blood thinner Eliquis; and more.
Florida Surgeon General Derides Covid Vaccines; Experts Assure Their Safety
Dr. Joseph Ladapo calls for more research of people who claim to have been injured by the vaccine. “Honestly, we don’t know where his data are coming from,” a Florida doctor countered. Other states making news: Maryland, Illinois, Missouri, Connecticut, and North Carolina.
First Edition: Friday, July 18, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Black, Hispanic Kids Had Higher Covid Hospitalization Rates, Analysis Finds
The study shows that even after hospitalization rates decreased in 2022 and 2023 for all groups, rates among Black and Hispanic children remained consistently higher. In other news, mRNA can be delivered by capsule; new ways to improve organ donation; and more.
Maryland Draws From ACA Fund To Cover Abortion Care Expenses
Maryland has seen a surge of out-of-state patients whom they’ve been able to help by accessing funds sourced in fees paid by insurance companies that participate in the ACA marketplaces. Other states in the news: Connecticut, Missouri, California, Massachusetts, and Arkansas.
Medicaid Cuts Could Mean 1,000 More Deaths Each Year, Report Indicates
Cuts also could lead to almost 100,000 more hospitalizations each year, according to the report published Wednesday in JAMA Health Forum. Also: The Trump administration speeds up the clawback of $7.8 billion in Medicare payments to hospitals.
Kennedy Ousts Two Top HHS Aides; NIH Overhauls Advisory Roles
Chief of Staff Heather Flick Melanson and Deputy Chief of Staff for policy Hannah Anderson served just months on the job. At the National Institutes of Health, advisory council appointees have been let go, and the director’s advisory committee has been disbanded.
988 LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Lifeline Will Go Out Of Service Today
In April, counselors fielded roughly 70,000 crisis contacts from LGBTQ youth, marking an all-time high. In 2024, the Trevor Project reported that half of LGBTQ young people who wanted mental health care said they were unable to access it.
8 In 10 US Counties Have ‘Health Care Deserts’
The research from Good Rx also shows that 87% of those in Wyoming, 74% of those in Vermont, and 70% of those in Montana live in a health care desert county, Newsweek reports. Other industry news is on Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, Geisinger Health System, Steward Health Care, and more.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
First Edition: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Amid Growing Federal Distrust, State Health Departments Should Step Up Vaccine Guidance
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
‘Underwhelming’: Doc Groups Criticize Proposed Medicare Payment Increase
Separately, Medicare is proposing “efficiency” pay cuts that would hit specialists. Also: Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wants to repeal some of the new Medicaid cuts; LGBTQ+ Americans may face a “Medicaid coverage cliff” from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Report: Anti-Addiction Funding Withheld By Trump Administration
CDC sources tell NPR that the Trump administration has delayed and might cancel roughly $140 million in grants to fund fentanyl overdose response efforts, known as the Overdose Data To Action program or OD2A. Other health programs facing funding cuts are also in the news