Latest KFF Health News Stories
Effort To Halt Use Of mRNA Vaccines Also Puts Cancer Vaccine At Risk
Scientists are warning people that it isn’t just covid vaccines that will be affected. In other vaccine news: RFK Jr.’s criticisms of the hepatitis B vaccine; updates on Vinay Prasad; and successful results from the HPV vaccine rollout, and more.
Illinois Becomes Third State To Ban AI Use For Mental Health Care, Therapy
As of last week, Illinois joins Nevada and Utah in no longer allowing chatbots or AI to be used by therapists in any capacity other than administrative. The ban also extends to companies that offer AI-powered therapy services without licensed therapists’ involvement. More news is from Arkansas, New York, Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.
In Study, People Who Used ADHD Meds Had Lower Risk Of Suicidal Behavior
The study also noted a 15% drop in substance misuse and showed benefit for patients who were taking stimulant medications rather than nonstimulants. Plus: developing new painkillers; how semaglutide affects muscle strength; and more.
NY Man Charged In Cyberstalking Of Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Relative
The man is accused of making repeated threatening calls to Brian Thompson’s family member. He is due in court today. Other news is about a Mission Health settlement, reduced workforces at Providence and CentraCare, and Oracle’s EHR platform.
Ending Resistance, Mars Reveals It Will Make Naturally Colored M&Ms, Skittles
Mars Wrigley Inc. made the announcement without fanfare on its website many weeks ago — two days after meeting with FDA Chief Marty Makary, Bloomberg reported. The company will unveil “options made without FD&C colors” next year.
Billions In Foreign Aid Can Remain Frozen Or Terminated, Court Rules
A federal appeals panel voted 2-to-1 against a group of international aid groups, ruling they did not have the legal standing to bring a lawsuit. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has ordered a six-month stockpile of advanced pharmaceutical ingredients; drug companies have formed a group to present research on the negative effects of Medicare drug price negotiations; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Poll Finds Americans Aren’t Drinking: Alcohol Consumption Hits 90-Year Low
Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits survey found only 54% of U.S. adults drank alcohol in 2025. Separately, research shows that autism is being diagnosed earlier in young children, but girls still wait longer than boys. Also in the news: dementia, cancer, and warnings about the herbal tonic “Feel Free.”
Missouri Set To Close 12 Schools For Children With Severe Disabilities
The State Board of Education on Tuesday approved a plan to close the schools, citing issues of declining enrollment, staffing struggles, and deferred maintenance. Other states making news: New York, Wyoming, Florida, California, and Texas.
Combination Therapy For Weight Loss, Alzheimer’s Could Be Next Big Thing
Multiple pharmaceutical firms are researching whether their blockbuster weight loss drugs can also help treat early Alzheimer’s. Plus: The FDA has approved the first treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in people 12 and older.
After Using AI To Help Spot Cancer, Doctors’ Own Skills Faded, Study Finds
Researchers found AI tools helped professionals to spot precancerous colon growths more easily, but when the AI tool was removed, their abilities to find tumors fell about 20% compared with rates before they used AI. Meanwhile, a report says AI adoption is racing far ahead of health system governance.
Viewpoints: RFK Jr. ‘Reviewed The Science’ And Got It Wrong; Stem Cell IVF Will Open Pandora’s Box
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
ACA Market May Be In For Turbulent Ride, CMS Data Suggest
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services noted it found inconsistencies in the number of claims on exchanges. “As you pull … subsidized dollars out of the system, it means margins will be lower and people are going to be paying higher premiums,” one health care strategist says.
Monarez: CDC Will Be Guided By ‘Rational, Evidence-Based Discourse’
The CDC director spoke with staffers about the dangers of misinformation and rebuilding trust in the agency. Meanwhile, authorities confirmed vaccine mistrust motivated the gunman to attack the CDC campus — a day after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declined to discuss a motive.
UCLA Science Research Grants Must Be Restored, Federal Judge Rules
The federal government has until Aug. 19 to comply with the order or explain why it couldn’t. Only NSF grants are covered by this order. Grants from the NIH and Energy Department are not affected. “UCLA should have considerably more leverage … in resisting Trump administration demands that wrongly take research hostage for political dealmaking,” a lawyer representing researchers said.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Buoyed By MAHA, Anti-Sunscreen Fad Emerges — To Dermatologists’ Dismay
Social media influencers skeptical of sunscreen ingredients are advocating for natural alternatives, but health experts maintain sunscreen is one of the most effective tools for preventing skin cancer. “Ultraviolet radiation is a known carcinogen,” said Adam Friedman, a professor of dermatology.
Telehealth Has Unlocked Abortion Access In South And Midwest: Study
A study released Monday in JAMA found that the rates of telehealth abortion were notably highest in states with abortion bans. Also: news on birth control, in-utero procedures, and more.
In Promising Trial, Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine Helped Patients Live Longer
As NBC News reported, people with pancreatic cancer survived for an average of 29 months and lived recurrence-free for more than 15 months post-vaccination — far longer than the rates of resectable cancers. A randomized phase 2 trial is being held to test the durability of the vaccine.
