Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Parents Win Pause On NC Medicaid Cuts For Intensive Autism Therapy
A lawsuit claimed North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services discriminated against children with disabilities by cutting Medicaid reimbursement rates for some behavioral health providers. More news comes from Oklahoma, Oregon, and Illinois.
FDA Had Documented Multiple Safety Violations At ByHeart Factory In Pa.
The baby formula that is suspected to have caused several cases of infant botulism was not manufactured at the Pennsylvania plant, where inspectors found mold and thousands of dead insects, The New York Times reported. The findings prompted worry about ByHeart’s overall safety.
Researchers Cheer Key Breakthroughs In Pig Kidney Transplant Surgery
A team at NYU Langone Health has discovered immune reactions that may explain why these organs get rejected, ABC News reported. The team also discovered a way to anticipate a potential rejection up to five days sooner. “I do believe that we will be in a position in the next few years where gene-edited pig organs will be an alternative to human organs,” said Dr. Robert Montgomery, director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute.
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 vaccines, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, PTSD, and more.
Ultraprocessed Food Could Be To Blame For Colon Cancer Rise In Young Women
A study published Thursday in JAMA suggested that eating more UPFs is linked to an increased risk of precancerous colorectal growths in women under 50. Other news covers the first documented death from alpha-gal syndrome, a human bird flu case in Washington state, the Purdue Pharma lawsuit settlement, and more.
As Grocery Angst Surges, Trump Mulls Pullback Of Tariffs On Food Imports
The administration is said to be considering tariff exemptions on beef, citrus, and “things we don’t grow here,” such as coffee, bananas, and other fruits. Plus: SNAP recipients are still struggling; a USDA employee who warned about the effects of missed SNAP payments is being fired; and more.
Medicare Cuts Resulting From One Big Beautiful Bill Are Spared — For Now
The stopgap spending measure enacted Wednesday allows the Trump administration to sidestep budget rules that would have required the White House to offset the tax law’s $3.4 trillion in deficit spending over 10 years, Modern Healthcare reports. Also: What’s going on with ACA subsidies?
First Edition: Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Expiring ACA Tax Credits Will Devastate Livelihoods; GLP-1s Don’t Cure Every Ailment
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
New Flu Strain H3N2 Causes Alarm As Some Nations Are Swamped With Cases
The strain emerged in June after the makeup of this year’s flu shots had already been determined. Cases in the U.K. are already triple from the same time last year, and cases in Japan have surged to nearly six times from last year. In the U.S., experts warn of uncertainty because the CDC has not released a national flu report since Sept. 26 due to the government shutdown.
Medicaid Cuts Lead To Closure Of 20 More Planned Parenthood Locations
The closures come after months of financial struggle due to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill blocking the organization from billing Medicaid. Planned Parenthood has brought the issue to the courts in a battle that is ongoing. Plus: the potential effects of antidepressants on teenage sexuality.
FDA Unveils Blueprint For Custom Gene-Editing Treatments
The plan allows a company or academic group to craft custom treatments for “several” patients and then apply for approval. Rather than the FDA approving an individual, unchangeable drug, it would allow those creators to keep crafting bespoke editors for new individuals with new mutations, Stat explains.
After Bishops’ Vote, Catholic Hospitals Ban Gender-Affirming Care Across US
According to the Catholic Health Association, more than one in seven patients in the U.S. are treated at Catholic hospitals daily, with some communities having no alternative medical centers. Meanwhile, transgender service members are suing the Air Force after an announcement that it would deny them retirement benefits.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Trump Administration Aims To Slash Housing Grants By Two-Thirds In 2026
In a major shift in homelessness policy, the bulk of funding would be directed toward programs that prioritize work and drug treatment. Also: new patent policies’ impact on lowering drug prices; pediatricians’ reactions to the FDA’s effort to limit fluoride supplements; and more.
With Shutdown In Rearview Mirror, ACA Subsidies Are A Priority. Or Not.
The House voted Wednesday to fund the government through January, and President Donald Trump signed the measure that effectively ends the shutdown. Now, Democrats are maneuvering to force a vote on the expiring tax credits, while House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will not commit to bringing up the issue in his chamber, AP reports. Plus, what does this mean for SNAP benefits?
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Ongoing Measles Outbreaks In Canada Cost Americas Their Elimination Status
Individual countries are maintaining their standing, health officials say, but the U.S. might lose its elimination status if it can’t get current outbreaks under control by January. Plus, two U.S. airports report measles exposures.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
