Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Hampshire Advances Plan To Nix Group That Buys Childhood Vaccines
The New Hampshire Vaccine Association served as a universal buying program, combining money from all insurers in the state to get a 30% discount on vaccines. Other news comes out of Washington, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and New York.
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 funding cuts, Alzheimer’s drugs, chronic disease, and more.
Private Equity Firm Sycamore Partners Snaps Up Strained Walgreens For $10B
As part of the deal, which will be completed later this year, the Chicago-based pharmacy chain will sell its VillageMD unit. Other pharmaceutical news is about Cost Plus Drug Co., Eli Lilly, and more.
Arizona’s Abortion Ban Is Struck Down And Abortion Rights Enshrined
With the passage of Prop. 139 and a Maricopa County Superior Court judge’s ruling, the abortion ban is over “permanently and forever,” reports AZ Mirror. Also, late-stage pregnancy loss is more common in the south; 19% of men surveyed suffer from ED two years after covid infection; and more.
FDA Nominee Makary Signals Abortion Pills And Policy Will Get Another Look
During a hearing before the Senate health committee, the Johns Hopkins University surgeon also fielded questions about vaccines, agency layoffs, food additives, and vapes. Also, The Washington Post has published FDA food director Jim Jones’ resignation letter.
Unvaccinated New Mexico Resident Infected With Measles Has Died
Officials have not confirmed measles as the cause of death. All cases of measles in New Mexico involve people who either aren’t vaccinated or whose vaccine status is not known. Meanwhile, some worry that HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is not taking the outbreak seriously.
CMS Warns It May Soon Update Policies To Prevent ‘Mutilation’ Of Trans Kids
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent a special alert to hospitals across the country Wednesday, Fierce Healthcare reported. Plus: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, makes waves for speaking out against trans athletes in women’s sports.
Idaho House Swiftly Passes Medicaid Work Requirement Bill
The bill was debated Thursday for less than 10 minutes, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. Every Republican voted yes, and every Democrat voted no. The bill now heads to the state Senate for a hearing. In other news: Pennsylvania officials say weight loss drugs might lead to more than $1 billion in new Medicaid costs this year.
First Edition: Friday, March 7, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Viewpoints: Is Trump’s Nominee To Lead The FDA, Dr. Marty Makary, Up To The Job?
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Staff Cuts And ‘Major Changes’ Coming To VA; Funding Cuts Blocked At NIH
Veterans Affairs plans to slash about 80,000 jobs. Secretary Douglas Collins said in a video on social media that the cuts would not reduce health care or benefits for veterans or their beneficiaries. Even so, Collins said, vets should “get used to it now,” The Washington Post reported.
Over 1,000 Acute Care Hospitals To Split $700 Million In Opioid Settlement
Drug manufacturers and distributors were accused of misrepresenting prescription opioids, improperly handling some orders, or filling scripts for dubious medical purposes. Per the settlement, they deny any wrongdoing. In other news, Americans borrowed about $74 billion last year to pay for health care.
Aspirin Appears To Stop Some Cancers From Metastasizing, Researchers Find
A study on mice with melanoma found that aspirin lowered TXA2 levels, which freed up T cells and allowed them to fight cancer more effectively. However, the lead scientist stressed that long-term aspirin use is associated with many health risks and urged patients to discuss it with their doctors.
Florida Demands Personal Information In Drug Prescription Data Probe
Data requested by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in January includes names of patients, dates of birth, and names of doctors, sparking concerns about government overreach and patient privacy. Other news comes from South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and California.
Study Suggests Bacterial Vaginosis, Or BV, Is Actually An STD
The infection has long been treated as a women’s issue, but a clinical trial in Australia showed that treating both partners eliminated reinfection, CNN reports. In other women’s health news, brain changes during pregnancy may be linked to PPD; menopause hormone therapy may be tied to Alzheimer’s; and more.
GOP Can’t Attain Budget Goal Without Cuts To Medicaid, Medicare, Or CHIP
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released an analysis Wednesday. Other coverage from Capitol Hill and the White House is on high-deductible health plans, price transparency, Medicare Advantage lawsuits, and more.
NIH Nominee Sidesteps Questions Over Vaccines, Research, Funding Cuts
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said during his confirmation hearing that he supports childhood vaccinations but that more research is needed to convince parents shots won’t cause autism. He declined to weigh in on President Donald Trump’s efforts to block funding for biomedical research.
First Edition: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Supreme Court Backs Away From Case Over Hacked Health Care Data
At question was whether a Federally Qualified Health Center is immune from liability over a former patient’s stolen personally identifying information, Fierce Healthcare explains. Plus: news on UnitedHealth, CVS, Wellvana, Monogram Health, Ensign Group, the HIMSS conference, and more.