Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
First Edition: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
KFF HEALTH NEWS ORIGINAL STORIES
KFF Health News: States Eye Aid To Prop Up Distressed Hospitals Amid Federal Medicaid Cuts
At Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital, patients on gurneys line the hallways of the emergency department waiting for care, and overflow mental health patients are consigned to outdoor tents. The 152-bed hospital, which sits on a sprawling medical campus close to the predominantly Latino and Black neighborhood of Watts, is struggling for financial stability. Its patients are poorer and sicker than average, many of them are uninsured, and three-quarters of MLK’s patient care revenue comes from Medi-Cal, the state’s version of the Medicaid program, which pays low rates. For hospitals statewide, by comparison, less than one-third of patient revenue comes from Medi-Cal. (Wolfson, 5/5)
KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘An Arm and a Leg’: The Supreme Court Case That Could Slow Generic Drugs
The Supreme Court has heard a big case about “skinny labels” on generic drugs. It could shape the future of affordable prescriptions in America. The same medication can be used to treat many conditions. And each use can have its own patent, even though the drug itself never changes. When patents expire, companies can make their own generic versions — but only so long as they make it clear that it can’t be used for anything else that still has a patent. This is what’s called a “skinny label.” (Weissmann, 5/5)
ABORTION
NPR: Abortion Pill Mifepristone Gets A 1-Week Reprieve From Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Monday put a one-week hold on major changes to how the abortion pill mifepristone can be prescribed. The ruling temporarily restores nationwide access to a drug used for most medication abortions in the U.S. On Friday, an appeals court had said the Food and Drug Administration needed to revert to rules that the pills, part of a two-drug regimen for medication abortion, must be prescribed only in-person. The change was effective immediately for the whole country. (Godoy and Simmons-Duffin, 5/4)
Axios: Abortion Pill Rulings Cause Confusion
Nationwide access to abortion pills is again in legal limbo, almost two years after the Supreme Court threw out a case challenging mail-order prescribing of the widely used drug mifepristone. A circuit court ruling on Friday that dramatically dialed back access to the drug has caused confusion for pharmacies, telehealth companies and other clinicians, even in states where abortion is legal. (Goldman and Sullivan, 5/5)
HEALTHCARE COSTS AND COVERAGE
The Wall Street Journal: UnitedHealth To Make It Easier For Patients To Get A Range Of Procedures
UnitedHealth Group plans to stop requiring doctors to get approvals for an array of procedures, tests and services, cutting back on a process that has long been detested by physicians and patients. UnitedHealth, parent of the biggest U.S. health insurer, said the changes will slash the number of reviews by nearly a third starting later this year. Doctors have long complained about the paperwork they must complete to get insurers’ permission for care, which can lead to delays and denials. (Wilde Mathews, 5/5)
Modern Healthcare: Humana Gains Medicare Advantage Members As Rivals Exit Markets
A flurry of strategic decisions by Medicare Advantage insurers to exit underperforming geographic markets, mostly in rural areas, left Humana as the last company standing in dozens of counties this year. When the 2026 annual enrollment period closed, Humana had gained more than 1 million new Medicare Advantage members. That was more than it bargained for and the most in the industry. (Tepper and Broderick, 5/4)
Becker's Hospital Review: Hospitals Face Growing Fallout From ACA Coverage Cliff
The warning signs were visible for months. Enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, and insurers are pulling back from the ACA marketplace while enrollment composition shifts toward high-deductible bronze plans. Now, the knock-on effects of these moves are beginning to emerge as leaders from the largest for-profit health systems elaborated on first-quarter results. (Condon, 5/4)
Modern Healthcare: GOP Reconciliation Bill May Target More Healthcare Cuts
Congress struck a deal last week on the homeland security budget that doesn’t contain any more healthcare cuts, but the sector’s respite could prove brief. Those in the Republican majority who want to dig deeper into federal healthcare spending after enacting more than $1 trillion in cuts last year see more opportunities to press their case this year. (McAuliff, 5/4)
Stat: AMA Billing Codes Are New Target In D.C.'s. War On Health Care Fraud
For decades, politicians have blamed the country’s biggest doctor lobby for some of the health care systems problems. Now it faces a new line of attack as Republicans portray their health care cuts as fraud-fighting policies. (Wilkerson, 5/5)
Healthcare Dive: How States Are Planning To Implement Medicaid Work Requirements: Survey
Most states are planning to adopt less restrictive policies to verify compliance with work requirements mandated by the “Big Beautiful Bill,” but some are implementing the policies early or checking eligibility more frequently. (Olsen, 5/4)
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
CNN: Department Of Education Opens Investigation Into Smith College For Admitting Trans Women
In the Trump administration’s latest move to limit trans rights, the Department of Education has launched a Title IX investigation into Smith College, an all-women’s college in western Massachusetts, for admitting trans women. (Sottlle, 5/4)
The New York Times: Kennedy Starts A Push To Help Americans Quit Antidepressants
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday announced several initiatives intended to rein in the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the most widely prescribed class of antidepressants, which he has described as exceptionally difficult to quit. Mr. Kennedy has long signaled that reducing the use of psychiatric drugs would be an aim of his tenure, but Monday’s announcements were the first significant step in that direction. (Barry, 5/4)
The New York Times: Soil At D.C. Golf Course Where East Wing Debris Was Dumped Contains Toxic Metals
Soil at a public golf course in Washington where the Trump administration dumped debris from the demolition of the White House East Wing has tested positive for lead, chromium and other toxic metals, according to data released by the National Park Service. The data, which the Park Service published on its website last week, showed relatively low levels of these contaminants in the soil at East Potomac Golf Links. (Joselow, 5/4)
The Texas Tribune: An Unreported ICE Killing Of An American Shattered 2 Texas Families
The last words Joshua Orta heard his childhood best friend utter were “I’m sorry.” Then Ruben Ray Martinez, a slender 23-year-old, slumped back in the driver’s seat. An officer had fired repeatedly through the open window, at least one bullet piercing Ruben’s heart. (Kriel, 5/4)
ProPublica: Prosecutors Had A Drugs-For-Votes Scheme 'Locked Up.' Under Trump, They Were Told Not To Pursue Charges.
Before the 2024 election, federal prosecutors were "full steam ahead" looking into how a prison gang in Puerto Rico gave drugs to inmates if they voted for a GOP gubernatorial candidate. After Trump’s election, the investigation evaporated. (Rutledge, 5/5)
Bloomberg: US Health-Aid Deal With Zambia Stalls On Privacy, Mineral Access Demands
Zambia’s talks with the US over a new $2 billion health-aid deal stalled because the proposed agreement included data sharing that would violate citizens’ privacy rights and was conditional on first agreeing to preferential access to mineral resources, the nation’s foreign minister said. The inclusion of the terms related to data sharing were unacceptable and “unconscionable,” Mulambo Haimbe said in a statement Monday. He also said it was concerning that the health pact depended on the governments signing a critical minerals agreement favoring US companies. (Hill and Mitimingi, 5/4)
GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC
The Washington Post: Gunfire Between Secret Service And Armed Person Briefly Locks Down White House
The White House was briefly locked down Monday afternoon after a U.S. Secret Service officer exchanged gunfire with an armed individual nearby, the agency said. The person, whose identity was unknown, was shot about 3:30 p.m. at 15th Street SW and Independence Avenue SW near the Washington Monument shortly after Vice President JD Vance passed by in a motorcade, according to the Secret Service. Uniformed officers approached the individual, who tried to flee on foot before firing at the agents, Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew C. Quinn said at a news conference. They fired back, and the person was struck and taken to a hospital. Gunfire from the person struck a nearby juvenile, who did not sustain life-threatening injuries, Quinn said. He said it wasn’t clear whom the person may have been targeting. (Solano, Thompson and Wang, 5/4)
HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY
Healthcare Dive: Healthcare Bankruptcies Rise In Q1: Report
The sector recorded 12 bankruptcy filings in the first quarter, up 33% from the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the analysis by Gibbins Advisors. (Olsen, 5/4)
Modern Healthcare: UPMC To Acquire CommonSpirit’s Trinity Health
CommonSpirit Health and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have signed a definitive agreement to transfer Steubenville, Ohio-based Trinity Health System to UPMC. The proposed deal includes Trinity Medical Center West, Trinity Medical Center East, Trinity St. Clairsville Neighborhood Hospital, Trinity Twin City Medical Center and associated clinics, according to a Monday news release. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The deal is expected to close in the fall, pending regulatory review and customary closing conditions. (Eastabrook, 5/4)
Modern Healthcare: Masimo Shareholders Approve Its Acquisition By Danaher For $9.9B
Masimo Corp. shareholders have approved its proposed $9.9 billion acquisition by life sciences company Danaher Corp. Stockholders voted on the decision at a May 1 special meeting, the patient monitoring company said Monday. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Masimo said it expects the acquisition to close this year. (Dubinsky, 5/4)
Bloomberg: ASG Hospital Said To Plan Filing For $500 Million IPO This Month
ASG Hospital Pvt., an Indian eye-care chain backed by General Atlantic, is planning to file for an initial public offering as early as this month that could raise up to $500 million, according to people familiar with the matter. The company is considering selling roughly 15% of fresh equity in the offering, which is expected to also include stock sold by existing investors, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. (Mascarenhas and Sanjay, 5/5)
PHARMA AND TECH
HealthDay: Experimental Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daraxonrasib Gets FDA Green Light
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted expanded access for the use of an experimental pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib. This means the drug will be available for early access to those who previously received conventional treatment for metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A healthcare provider must request access to the medication for their patient, according to an FDA statement. (Huynh, 5/4)
Stat: Johnson & Johnson Advances IBD Therapy, Despite Trial Miss
A closely watched therapy developed by Johnson & Johnson failed to show a statistically meaningful improvement for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. But the company plans to advance the drug into late-stage testing, focusing on a growing subgroup of patients. (DeAngelis, 5/5)
Bloomberg: A $12 Billion US Deal Pushes India’s Sun Pharma Into Big Leagues
For Indian billionaire Dilip Shanghvi, who made his fortune selling cheap generic drugs to the world, it was clear at least more than a decade ago that a shift toward specialty treatments would be key to success in the crowded local market. Last week, his firm Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced a $12 billion deal that could be the biggest test yet in the company’s long-brewing bid to transform into an international giant. The company agreed to acquire New Jersey-based Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal that marks one of India’s largest global takeovers and challenges Shanghvi to merge a large, complex business. (Sanjay and Kalesh, 5/5)
The Baltimore Sun: ‘I Intend To Stay On It Forever.’ Along With Rapid Weight Loss, Patients See Other Benefits And Risks Of GLP-1 Drugs
Two years ago, Jennifer Kirtley looked down at the scale and saw 328 pounds. Today, she’s looking in the mirror at a size 6. After a transformative 180-pound weight loss from weekly Wegovy shots, Kirtley says she is happy with her overall weight and health. (Goodman, 5/4)
Becker's Hospital Review: AI Is Finding Cancer Earlier. Are Systems Ready For What Comes Next?
Mayo Clinic research published April 28 showed an AI model could detect pancreatic cancer up to three years before clinical diagnosis. Projected to be the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S. by 2030, early diagnosis has a significant effect on survival outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients. The study from Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic adds to the larger evidence of AI’s value for cancer detection, but are health systems willing and able to scale these tools? (Gregerson, 5/4)
CIDRAP: Antibiotic Resistance Is Rising In Invasive E Coli Found In US Newborns, Study Finds
An analysis of invasive Escherichia coli samples from newborns at a US pediatric hospital found rising rates of resistance to recommended antibiotics, researchers reported today in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. (Dall, 5/4)
San Francisco Chronicle: Trump Slashed Scientific Research Funds. A Massive California Bond Could Offset The Cuts
Scientists, doctors, students and patients from across California rallied in Sacramento Monday, calling on state lawmakers to support a $23 billion bond — the largest ever of its kind — to fund life-saving research facing insurmountable instability during the Trump administration. The $23 billion general obligation bond introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco has a long road to approval: It must be OK’d by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in order to appear on the ballot this November, where it would then need a majority of voters’ support. (DiNatale, 5/4)
Politico: Xavier Becerra Unveils His AI Vision For California
Democrat Xavier Becerra is getting serious about tech policy after catapulting into the upper echelon of California’s gubernatorial field. The former Health and Human Services secretary on Monday unveiled an 11-point plan, shared first with POLITICO, that calls for harnessing artificial intelligence in education and government, while implementing guardrails for workers and kids. (Katzenberger and Mui, 5/4)
Los Angeles Times: Suspected Arsonist Behind Palisades Fire Looked Up To Luigi Mangione As Hero, Prosecutors Say
The man accused of starting the Palisades fire, one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history, was motivated by a resentment for the rich and viewed Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s chief executive, as a Robin Hood-like figure, according to court documents detailing evidence gathered by federal prosecutors. (Winton, 5/4)
The Wall Street Journal: One Of California’s Ritziest Beach Towns Has A Problem: A Tsunami Of Raw Sewage
Coronado was "heaven on earth." Then as much as 30 million gallons a day of Tijuana waste turned its legendary beaches into a no-go zone. (Carlton, 5/4)
Yellowstone Public Radio: Wyoming's First Measles Case Of 2026 Confirmed In Fremont County
Wyoming is reporting its first measles case of 2026. A news release from the Wyoming Department of Health on Friday reported a confirmed case of measles in an adult from Fremont County with an unconfirmed vaccination status. (Erickson, 5/4)
CBS News: More Minnesota Farmers Seeking Help To Navigate Mental Health Challenges
The past couple years have been challenging for Minnesota farmers, prompting many to seek help navigating their mental health. When Denise Reeser isn't surrounded by horses at her New Prague farm, she's surrounded by numbers and finances. That's because so much of what she does these days involves helping farmers with cash flow problems. (Lauritsen, 5/4)
North Carolina Health News: Inside Guilford County's Health Care Safety Net For The Uninsured
In Guilford County, having an orange card means an uninsured dad who breaks his hand working around the house can get medical care. It means a self-employed mom who no longer qualifies for Medicaid and can’t afford other insurance can get a mammogram. Having one of those orange cards means that someone who’s living in a tent can see a dentist about an abscessed tooth. (Fernandez, 5/5)
CBS News: Michigan Pharmacy Tech Pleads Guilty In $5.6 Million Healthcare Fraud Scheme
A former pharmacy technician working in Metro Detroit pleaded guilty to federal charges related to a $5.6 million scheme to defraud health care insurance programs. Ali Naserdean, 32, of Dearborn Heights, entered his plea on Thursday to one charge each of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and possession with intent to illegally distribute oxycodone, according to the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Michigan. He will be sentenced on Sept. 1 and faces up to 20 years in prison. (Wethington, 5/4)
The Baltimore Sun: Mount Airy Targets 2029 Deadline For PFAS Treatment
Mount Airy officials are moving forward with an estimated $8 million plan to remove “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS, from the town’s drinking water system after several wells exceeded federal and state limits. (Yelenik, 5/4)
San Antonio Report: 'Classic Unfunded Mandate': San Antonio School Districts Reveal Costs Of New Seat Belt Requirements
Local school districts say it’s not “financially feasible” to install three-point seat belts on all school buses, even though the state expects them to by the 2029-30 school year. (Garcia, 5/4)
PUBLIC HEALTH
The New York Times: ‘You Just Can’t Get The Air In’: How Hantavirus Turns Deadly
Jordan Herbst was 14 years old when he came down with what he thought was the flu. After a few days of aches and chills, though, he started having trouble breathing. The doctors who first saw him in Bishop, Calif., suspected it was pneumonia. But his breathing quickly worsened and his lungs began to fail. He was rushed by air to a larger hospital, where he was put on a machine that took over for his heart and lungs. “I imagine it’s what drowning feels like,” said Mr. Herbst, who is now 26. “You’re trying to breathe, and you just can’t get the air in.” (Bajaj and Agrawal, 5/4)
HealthDay: Social Media Videos, Easy Access Raise Risk Of Teen Inhalant Use
New research is raising alarms about inhalants, which are often portrayed online as harmless while putting teens at real risk. Two new studies point to a troubling pattern: Younger teens, especially girls, may be more vulnerable — and social media is a major source of exposure. In one study, recently published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, researchers reviewed 30 videos about nitrous oxide — often called "laughing gas" — posted in early 2025. Those videos averaged 23 million views. Some showed how to use it, with no age restrictions or health warnings. (5/4)
The New York Times: What To Know About Orphines, A New Class Of Deadly Opioids
Since last fall, new and deadly synthetic opioids called orphines have begun appearing in street drugs in the United States. They are far more potent than fentanyl but cannot be detected by standard toxicology tests. Orphines are still much less common than fentanyl, but they are proliferating quickly. As of last month, they have been found in 14 states, mostly in the South and the Midwest. Law enforcement officials and public health officials are trying to assess the gravity and endurance of the threat they pose. (Hoffman, 5/4)
