Latest KFF Health News Stories
RFK Jr.’s Grasp Of Medicaid, Medicare On Display At Senate Hearing
Fielding questions from Democrats and Republicans, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave several uninformed answers about the Health and Human Services programs he would oversee, The New York Times reports. The HHS nominee also indicated mifepristone access could be curtailed.
First Edition: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Unvaccinated Resident Becomes Georgia’s First Measles Case Of 2025
The highly contagious and vaccine-preventable disease is mostly fatal in children under 5, but the childhood MMR vaccine rate has dropped five percentage points over the past 10 years. Meanwhile, the CDC says the Kansas tuberculosis outbreak is not the largest in U.S. history. Other news includes: data leaks, lead exposure, and more.
Ozempic Approved To Treat Chronic Kidney Disease With Type 2 Diabetes
The FDA’s move may change how doctors treat chronic kidney disease, which, according to Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk, affects around 37 million Americans and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Meanwhile, 20,000 advocates have called on CMS to include FDA-approved anti-obesity medications in Medicare and Medicaid.
UNC, Duke Team Up To Build State’s First Standalone Children’s Hospital
The planned 500-bed pediatric hospital will be somewhere in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region, but no specific location has been announced. Other health industry news is on hospital-at-home alternatives, buyouts, supply chain costs, “smart locks” at CVS, and more.
RFK Jr.’s Family Members Warn He Is Ill-Equipped To Lead HHS
Confirmation hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. begin today in the Senate. The Boston Globe explores a key area where Kennedy has largely been silent: entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Trump Signs Order Restricting Gender-Affirming Care For Those Under 19
The president’s order directs the secretary of Health and Human Services to issue regulations to end such care for minors, NBC News reported, and directs all federal agencies to rescind guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. In related news: Six transgender active-duty service members are suing over Trump’s policy on transgender troops.
Medicaid Access Back But May Be Slow; Judge Halts Freeze On Some Grants
Several states lost access Tuesday to the federal Medicaid portal despite assurances from the Trump administration that his recent funding freezes wouldn’t affect the insurance program for low-income people. Plus: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces a waiver for some lifesaving medicines that were part of the freeze.
First Edition: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Sleep-Related Infant Deaths Soar 12%, With Notable Racial Disparities
Meanwhile, overall infant mortality rates from 1999 to 2022 dropped by 24%, researchers found. Additional news of public concern covers breast milk guidance for air travelers, heart disease stats, the link between sugar-laden drinks and Type 2 diabetes, and more.
Viewpoints: Relational Communication Is How Doctors Can Combat Misinformation And Prevent Burnout
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Largest US Tuberculosis Outbreak On Record Happening Now In Kansas
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, 67 active TB cases and 79 latent cases have been reported since the beginning of 2024 in Wyandotte and Johnson counties. Separately, a rare strain of bird flu has been detected at a farm in California’s Merced County.
Wyoming House Committee Passes Bills Making Abortion All But Impossible
Meanwhile, Wisconsin Supreme Court race could determine the future of abortion in the state; Minnesota will implement insulin price cap; Denver hospital opens its free naloxone vending machine; and more.
Walgreens Unlikely To Sell To Private Equity Firm Sycamore Partners
Pharmacy chain Walgreens has been struggling for over a year and has been in talks to sell to Sycamore Partners, a deal that is now “mostly dead.” Meanwhile, some independent pharmacies are opting to not stock drugs that are under negotiation because of significant loss of revenue that they may sustain. Other news includes layoffs, cardiac device recalls, and more.
HHS Nominee RFK Jr. Won’t Rule Out Seizing Drug Patents To Lower Prices
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he would consider authorizing the government to seize from manufacturers the patents of high-dollar medicines that were developed with taxpayer money and give them to drug makers to bring down costs, Politico reports. Meanwhile, anti-abortion groups are unsure about whether to back his nomination. More news is on vaccine policy and skepticism.
The president’s executive order cites diagnoses “that require substantial medication or medical treatment” and could affect many thousands of servicemembers. It likely also would stunt efforts to reduce the military stigma surrounding asking for help. Plus: Troops who were dismissed for not getting a covid shot will be reinstated with full back pay.
White House Halts Federal Grants And Loans, Rattling Health Agencies
Although the memo specifically mentioned gender-affirming care, it is unclear how many other federal programs will be affected. It does not include Medicare. Meanwhile, NIH researchers can resume their work as long as they don’t violate the communications freeze, and the CDC was ordered to stop working with the World Health Organization immediately.
First Edition: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Iowa Faces Backlash Over Swapping ‘Evolution’ For ‘Biological Change’
The current K-12 curriculum draft downplays human impacts on climate change, critics contend. The state is still reviewing feedback, and the draft has not been approved. Also in the news, transgender care in North Dakota; developmental disability costs in Montana and Maryland; and more.
