Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers discuss 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.
63% Of US Drug Plants Are In Counties With Prior Climate-Related Disasters
Researchers point to supply chain risks, given that so many American drug manufacturing plants fall in the path of hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Also in pharma and tech news: radiopharmaceuticals, airborne germ sensors, UTI treatments, and more.
Construction Companies Sued In Deadly NY Legionnaires’ Outbreak
The lawsuits, filed Wednesday, claim the companies neglected safety measures, causing a “completely preventable” outbreak that has killed at least five and sickened many more. Other states making news: Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, and California.
Hundreds Laid Off At CDC; 750 HHS Workers Vent Anger In Letter To RFK Jr.
Between 500 and 600 employees were terminated as of Monday, The Washington Post reported today. A federal health official confirmed the layoffs but not the number. Meanwhile, HHS employees have accused HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of “dangerous and deceitful statements and actions.”
Feds Subpoena Hospitals For Wide Range Of Sensitive Trans Care Info
The Justice Department demanded access to sensitive information related to medical care for transgender patients under age 19, including billing documents, communications with drug manufacturers, and personal data such as birth dates, Social Security numbers and addresses.
UnitedHealth Adds ‘Public Responsibility Committee’ To Its Board
The goal, Bloomberg reports, is to bolster governance and oversight as UnitedHealth aims to improve its standing with shareholders, regulators, and the public. Other health industry news is on Elevance Health, Aetna, Epic, hospital inpatient costs, and more.
Some Breast Cancer Tumors Steal From Fat Cells To Power Growth, Study Finds
Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco found that the energy heist is a critical step in fueling a triple-negative breast cancer’s development. They hope their discovery leads to a cure for the often-deadly cancer and others. Other studies look at colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
To Prevent Illness In Infants, Parents Urged To Mix Formula More Carefully
Parents should boil water, add formula, and then wait. Researchers found that not following these steps — which isn’t spelled out in packaging instructions — could lead to serious illness in infants. More public health news is on Omega-3 in adults and children, a covid surge, and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Kentucky Bans ‘Designer Xanax’ In Response To Increasing Overdoses
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, announced Monday that bromazolam, aka “Designer Xanax,” has been reclassified as a Schedule 1 drug. Other states making news: Connecticut, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Florida, California, and Texas.
RFK Jr. Scoffs At Pediatrics Group For Still Encouraging Covid Vaccines
After the American Academy of Pediatrics broke with HHS guidance, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused the group of being in the pocket of pharmaceutical companies. AAP says its guidance is based on science. Vaccine researchers weighed in, saying: “There is no scientific evidence to support the changes that HHS made to covid vaccine recommendations.”
Rising Health Care Costs For Employers Means Less Coverage For Employees
A report by the Business Group on Health showing health care costs projected to rise 9% in 2026 has caused companies to reevaluate benefits and contracts for the coming year. A survey shows 66% of employers are worried Medicaid and Medicare cuts will mean hospital cost increases for the commercially insured.
CMS Plans To Remove Noncitizens From Medicaid And CHIP
Meanwhile, Iowa Medicaid work requirements are set to go into effect in January. Also: the impact of Medicaid cuts on Black children; provider reimbursement rate cuts in North Carolina; and more.
HHS Authorizes FDA To Use Animal Drugs To Fight Screwworms
Although there are no specific FDA-approved drugs in the U.S. to treat the parasite, the emergency authorization paves the way for the use of animal drug products approved for other purposes or available in other countries. Plus: Legionnaires’ disease, plague, measles, and more.
In A First, FDA OKs Glucose Monitoring System For Weight Management
The system, from Signos, offers three- and six-month plans ($139 and $129 a month, respectively), and the company will send all of the continuous glucose monitors a patient needs, CNBC reported. Plus: Some veterans are losing insurance coverage for weight loss drugs.
First Edition: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Bucking The CDC, Pediatric Experts Back Covid Vaccine For Young Kids
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation is for children ages 6 to 23 months. In May, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed the covid vaccine from the CDC’s immunization schedule for healthy children. Meanwhile, MedPage Today reports on how financial conflicts of interest in federal vaccine panel members have actually fallen since 2000.