Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Hampshire Medicaid Recipients May Be Required To Pay Premiums
Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte proposed the changes last week in her budget address. Also in the news: Montana, Iowa, Texas, Maryland, and South Carolina.
First Edition: Monday, Feb. 24, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Paxlovid Is Less Effective In Older Vaccinated Covid Patients, Study Shows
Covid hospitalizations were not significantly reduced when adults used the antiviral pill, researchers find. Also, a nationwide study suggests estrogen may play a role in long covid, putting women at a higher risk. Also in the news: bird flu, measles, flu, and cholera.
Missouri Judge Sets 2026 Trial Date To Permanently Remove Abortion Ban
In other state news, Florida Democrats have filed legislation to reverse the six-week abortion ban; the Colorado House passes a bill to protect patients from forced institutionalization; New York Gov. Kathy Hochul seeks changes to the state’s mental health laws; and more.
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 viruses, vaccine skepticism, USAID, the history of language, and more.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Trump Halts Vaccine Advisory Panel Meetings, Quashes 2 Other Committees
The directive comes just as the CDC panel was set to gather next week to weigh guidance on flu and other vaccines. Committees addressing long covid and health equity were scrapped altogether. Meanwhile, a federal judge today will hear arguments regarding NIH research cuts.
On Medicaid, Some In GOP Must Pick: Against Trump Or Against Constituency
A handful of Republicans represent areas where large parts of the population receive SNAP or Medicaid, NBC News reported. A Trump-endorsed budget plan going through the House right now could result in steep cuts to both programs.
Drug Overdose Death Rate Drops For First Time In Years
Some experts point to the broader availability of naloxone and fentanyl test strips. Even so, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington saw an increase in overdose deaths in 2023. More news is on gene therapy breakthroughs; the link between narcissism and loneliness; and more.
Luigi Mangione Set For First Court Date In UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Slaying Case
The Baltimore Sun reports on the unusual defense strategy being mounted by his lawyers. Other industry news includes: a health insurance fraud case; the effect of high specialist fees on health care systems; the toll global warming takes on hospitals; and more.
First Edition: Friday, Feb. 21, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Administration Fires Border Health Inspectors Who Screen For Diseases
Experts warn that Americans may be more vulnerable to pathogens carried by plants, animals, and people. Meanwhile, the CDC is ending a successful campaign designed to encourage people to receive the flu vaccine. In other news: Experts say the egg shortage will not affect flu vaccines; bird flu lab techs in California are going on strike; and more.
Medical Device Lobby Urges HHS To Rethink Trump’s FDA Cuts
The CEO of the medical device lobby, AdvaMed, raised concerns over the cuts’ impact on patient health and medical device innovation. Separately, the former administrator of CMS spoke up to caution Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency against acting too quickly. Also: a protest over cuts; aid groups head to court; and more.
US Hospitals On Track To Exceed Critical Capacity By 2032, Study Shows
According to the author of the study: “If the U.S. were to sustain a national hospital occupancy of 85 percent or greater, it is likely that we would see tens to hundreds of thousands of excess American deaths each year.” Other big names in the news: UnitedHealth, Sutter Health, Hims & Hers, and more.
Sepsis Rates Increased After Abortion Ban In Texas, Analysis Shows
Rates shot up by more than 50% for pregnancies lost in the second trimester, and the maternal mortality rate rose in Texas, bucking national trends. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood in Missouri has resumed abortion procedures after a judge temporarily blocked state licensing requirements imposed on clinics. Other news comes from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois, and California.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Read recent commentaries about these public health issues.
HHS Revises Sex-Based Definitions That Omit Gender Identity References
The move to recast sex as an “immutable biological classification” comes as data shows a pronounced uptick in the number of Americans who identify as LGBTQ. Separately, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been advised to find a scientist who “can prove vaccines do cause autism.”
Under Trump-Endorsed House Bill, Medicaid And SNAP Take $1T Hit
Despite promising just hours earlier to protect safety net programs, Trump said he supports a Republican-led proposal floated in the House that trims $880 billion from Medicaid and about $230 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
First Edition: Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.