Latest KFF Health News Stories
Feds Freeze Family Planning Funds From Planned Parenthood
Nine of the nonprofit’s affiliates got word Monday that the Trump administration is withholding Title X funds. Separately, a federal judge has ruled it is a violation of the First Amendment and the right to travel if Alabama’s attorney general tries to punish anyone who aids in out-of-state abortions.
Hospitals Reportedly Receive Extortion Threats Over Alleged Oracle Hack
Fierce Healthcare says the incident — in which patient data was reportedly stolen from servers sometime after Jan. 22 — has not yet been announced by Oracle Health but was reported Friday in an information security publication called Bleeping Computer. That publication said a hacker is demanding millions in cryptocurrency.
‘Say Something’ School Shooting Tip Line Is Successfully Saving Lives
The anonymous tip line, founded by parents of victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting, alerts police and school authorities to potential threats to students. According to The Washington Post, the tip line has prevented 18 school shootings. Other states making news are Colorado, Texas, Montana, New York, California, and North Carolina.
HHS Workers Begin Getting Pink Slips
As many as 10,000 people could be let go across the Department of Health and Human Services. Forbes looks at how this might affect the health of everyday Americans.
First Edition: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers dissect these public health issues.
This Year’s Projected Honeybee Losses Could Devastate Farmers, Food Supply
Farmers depend on bee colonies to pollinate their crops, such as apple trees. Other health and wellness news is on flu, bird flu, sleep, junk food, and more.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
Today’s stories are on cholesterol, HIV, an at-home test for STIs, stem cell storage, and more.
Biotech Industry Wary After Top FDA Vaccine Official Forced To Resign
In a statement Saturday, John Crowley of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) said the loss of Dr. Peter Marks would “erode scientific standards,” The Guardian reported. In his resignation letter, Marks wrote that “misinformation and lies” from HHS led him to tender his resignation.
Fox News Reporter Nominated To Lead Office Of National Drug Control Policy
Sara Carter, who is no longer listed on the network’s website, has worked on border issues in her career as a journalist but has never worked in government nor dealt with drug policy, public health, or law enforcement, Stat reports.
CDC Withholds Measles Risk Analysis, Makes Vaccine A ‘Personal Choice’
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appears to be shifting its message from promoting vaccines to one that is less certain about its benefits, ProPublica reports. Meanwhile, the Texas outbreak has now afflicted 400 people as more counties report cases.
Health Systems Eye Microhospitals In Effort To Increase Access At Lower Cost
Modern Healthcare reports that many health systems, including Baylor Scott & White, Intermountain Health, and CommonSpirit Health, have invested in microhospitals, which tend to fall somewhere between urgent care centers and full-size traditional hospitals in terms of services. Other health industry news is on Solventum, Corewell Health, nonprofit hospital margins, and more.
Colorado Triumphs In Drug Affordability Case
In the case filed by Amgen last year, U.S. District Court Judge Nina Wang ruled that a Colorado state board can proceed with plans to limit the costs for medications. This is the first court decision allowing a state control over prescription drug costs, Stat reported. Other states making news include Minnesota, Montana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Missouri.
First Edition: Monday, March 31, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers examine the following public health issues.
New Utah Law Aims To Rein In Unqualified Life Coaches
Life coaching requires no mental health education, and it sometimes attracts former therapists who have lost their license to practice, reports ProPublica. Other states making news are New York, Iowa, California, and North Carolina.
The Nearly Eradicated Murine Typhus Is Making A Comeback, CDC Says
Most cases of the flea-borne disease are cropping up in Texas and California, and it may be due to cat fleas finding a new host — possums. Other outbreak news includes new genetic identifiers for measles cases; a rise in yellow fever cases in the Americas; 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 sludge, covid, nutrition, sneezing, beard transplants, and more.
Stunned HHS Employees Reel From Massive Job Cuts
The announcement that as many as 10,000 people will lose their jobs came as a shock to staff, some finding out through news reports. Including those who have already been cut with early retirement and buyouts, the total will reach 20,000 jobs lost, according to Politico.
Crisis Line Call-Takers Overwhelmed By Crush Of Veterans’ Calls, Trump Cuts
The Department of Veterans Affairs hotline has been a beacon of hope in troubling moments for veterans. As it fields more calls about benefits and other services, operators themselves are coping with “a very hostile, very anxiety-producing work environment.”