Latest KFF Health News Stories
Research Groups Propose Alternatives To Ensure NIH Funding Still Flows
Stat reports that the Joint Associations Group offered two options: award payments that would vary depending on the type of institution and the type of research funded in a particular grant; or provide a detailed accounting of administrative and facility costs as line items in each grant proposal. Lawmakers and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya appear open to the policy proposals.
CDC To Summer Camps: Check For Documentation Of Measles Immunity
The directive comes as measles cases so far this year have hit 1,197 infections, which is fewer than 100 cases from surpassing the record 1,274 cases that were confirmed for all of 2019. Related news is on measles exposures in Boston, Washington, D.C., and Boulder, Colorado.
Slain Minnesota Lawmaker Played Key Role In Safeguarding Health Care
Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed Saturday morning at their home. Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman, who was also shot at his home Saturday, is in stable condition after “many surgeries,” his wife said. The suspect in the slayings has been captured.
First Edition: Monday, June 16, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump Team Pressures Pharma Companies To Voluntarily Lower Prices
The administration issued an order in May directing companies to begin negotiating drug pricing to bring them in line with other economically comparable nations, but pharmaceutical executives note that the order was light on details. Plus: RFK Jr.’s threat to yank medical school funding.
Ousted ACIP Adviser Says Physicians Should Now Seek Guidance Elsewhere
Helen Chu, MD, urged doctors to find “science-based recommendations” from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Chu noted, “It puts us in a very dangerous place if we can’t trust the national recommendations made by ACIP.”
AMA Seeks More Reliable AI Tools, Proposes Third-Party Verification
In order for doctors to trust AI in a clinical setting, artificial intelligence must explain its clinical decisions and cite sources, according to an association report.
Illinois Lawmakers Vote To Strengthen Law That Helps Sexual Abuse Survivors
The changes come after an investigation showing dozens of hospitals violated the 49-year-old law. It’s unclear whether Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker will sign the bill.
Average Age Of First-Time Moms Rises To Nearly 28; Teen Pregnancies Decline
A CDC study shows that the average age of all mothers giving birth in the U.S. is at 29.6 as of 2023. Other news is on SIDS prevention, the popularity of Zyn with women, 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 malaria, abortion, smoking, pesticides, aging, and more.
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Teen Wins Supreme Court Case Over Disability Accommodations At School
In Thursday’s ruling, justices unanimously agreed that the burden placed on students to prove their school is not meeting their disability accommodations is too high. In other news: “Wheelchair rules” for airlines will not be enforced until August.
Bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act Clears House, Heads To President Trump
The legislation makes permanent an emergency rule issued in 2018 that classifies copycats of fentanyl as Schedule I controlled substances. However, it does not add funding for public health or anti-drug-trafficking efforts to combat addiction and deaths. Another bill advancing in the House would legalize for-profit VA claims consultants, a measure veterans’ advocates have fought against.
First Edition: Friday, June 13, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
CDC Rehires More Than 400 People Who Had Received Layoff Notices
Politico reports that roughly half of those rehired work for the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention. Also: the effect of CDC cuts on women with chronic diseases; the oncology community sounds the alarm over budget cuts; and more.
Megabill Scraps ‘Silver Loading,’ Potentially Disrupting ACA Plans
Although the measure would reduce Silver plan premiums, an estimated 300,000 people would lose health coverage, experts say. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans won’t be targeting Medicare Advantage changes after all.
UnitedHealth Group’s Credit Rating Downgraded From ‘Stable’ To ‘Negative’
Moody’s and S&P Global noted their downgrades were unusual for the insurance giant and expressed optimism that the company will overcome multiple operational difficulties, Modern Healthcare reported.
Democratic Governors Scale Back State-Funded Health Care For Immigrants
The cuts, which would freeze or pare down funded health care for undocumented immigrants, have been largely attributed to budget restraints. The governors in question come from California, Illinois, and Minnesota. Other news comes out of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, and Colorado.