Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Hampshire Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning Transgender Care For Minors
The measure includes a “grandfather clause” that would allow youths who are already receiving care to continue to get it. Meanwhile, hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children might be on the cusp of losing federal funds.
AI Offers New Hope To Couples Suffering With Male Infertility
The Columbia University Fertility Center used a tiny camera to find viable sperm within hours in a man who had almost no detectable sperm. In other lifestyle news: the cognitive consequences of chatbots; a new AI test shows 87.9% accuracy at detecting Parkinson’s; and more.
Opinion writers weigh in on these topics and others.
Senate Republicans Forge Ahead With Vote-A-Rama On Medicaid-Cutting Bill
The Senate is set to begin the process 9 a.m. today, giving members of both parties an opportunity to introduce and vote on an unlimited number of amendments to the package, The Hill reported. The Congressional Budget Office now estimates the megabill would reduce spending on Medicaid, Medicare, and Obamacare by more than $1.1 trillion by 2034.
DOGE No Longer In Charge Of Awarding Billions In Federal Grants
DOGE has been overseeing the grants.gov site for the past three months, giving it control of more than $500 billion in annual awards. On Thursday, departments were advised to return to “standard procedures.” More than $14 million in health care grants had been stalled under DOGE’s control, The Washington Post reports.
First Edition: Monday, June 30, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 crash test dummies, organ transplants, wellness retreats, and more.
Viewpoints: Draconian Abortion Ban Led To Adriana Smith Tragedy; Monarez May Disrupt Anti-Vax Agenda
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Panel Advises Against Scantly Used Thimerosal In Flu Vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also agreed to add Merck’s RSV shot Enflonsia to the government’s list of recommended childhood immunizations. Separately, news outlets take a closer look at ACIP.
Planned Parenthood Can Be Excluded From Medicaid, Supreme Court Rules
The ruling means that under federal law, health care providers or patients cannot sue if a state violates a provision guaranteeing Medicaid patients can visit their preferred provider. Other news is on the handling of newborns’ extra blood samples; a class action lawsuit against the EPA; and more.
New Magnetic Scoliosis Treatment Gives Kids A Less-Traumatic Remedy
The “magic rods” are surgically implanted and can be slowly lengthened with internal and external magnets. It is a less invasive treatment than traditional methods involving body casts and surgeries. Also: Mpox vaccine trials; animal antibiotics’ link to resistance in humans; and more.
Novo Nordisk Makes Deal With WeightWatchers For Wegovy
Days after the breakdown of the partnership with telehealth company Hims & Hers, Novo Nordisk has announced a new deal with WeightWatchers. Also in the news: UnitedHealth, EasterSealsNH, Carlsmed, and more.
Florida Laws Support Mental Health Care, Substance Abuse Programs
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure designed to redirect people experiencing mental health struggles to treatment instead of incarceration and another establishing a research center at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
GOP Scrambling After Senate Ruling On Medicaid Provision Of Tax Bill
Republicans are going back to the drawing board after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that Medicaid cuts proposed in President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spend bill are ineligible for a majority vote. Other administration news from the health agencies makes the day’s headlines.
First Edition: Friday, June 27, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: The Danger Of Medicaid Cuts May Be Overblown; Ending Support For LGBTQ+ Youth Is Cruel
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
CDC Nominee Susan Monarez Skirts Questions On RFK Jr. During Hearing
In Wednesday’s confirmation hearing, Monarez told members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that she “values vaccines, public health interventions, and rigorous scientific evidence.” In other news: the NIH has stopped grant terminations.
Protesters In Wheelchairs Zip-Tied As Lawmakers Squabble Over Medicaid
The demonstrators, 34 of whom were arrested, oppose cuts to Medicaid and other programs that senators are considering. Congress is still hashing out health care-related provisions in the megabill, including a rural hospital relief fund, provider taxes, the effects of payments to states, and more.
Health Care Spending To Top One-Fifth Of GDP By 2033, CMS Report Predicts
National health expenditures will increase 5.8% a year on average from 2024 to 2033, at which point $8.6 trillion will be spent on health care, Modern Healthcare reports. More news is on: layoffs at UCSF Health; CVS’ overbilling ruling; and more.
New York Judge Fired For Opposing Trump’s Order On Gender Identity
Administrative Judge Karen Ortiz, who worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, was let go a month after opposing an executive order decreeing male and female as two “immutable” sexes. Other states making news: Tennessee, California, North Carolina, Oregon, and Missouri.