Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trump Admin Floats Idea To Squelch States’ Regulation Authority Over AI
A leaked copy of an executive order maps out strategies for dealing with states that try to manage artificial intelligence while also giving that power to the federal government. Plus, AI chatbots are now dishing advice about how to reverse abortions.
GOP Senator Unveils Legislation For ‘Trump Health Freedom Accounts’
The bill from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida — which is called the “More Affordable Care Act” — resembles a health savings account but could be tapped to pay insurance premiums, Politico reported. However, the account could not be used to pay premiums for any health plan that covers abortion or gender transition procedures, the legislation says.
CDC Loses Credibility Among Experts After Vaccine-Autism Reversal
Backlash was swift after the agency altered its website to say: “The claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim.'” Even Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) chimed in: “What parents need to hear right now is vaccines … are safe and effective and will not cause autism.”
First Edition: Friday, Nov. 21, 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 health policy studies and briefs.
Thousands Of Kids On ADHD Meds Wind Up On Other Psychotropic Drugs
The Wall Street Journal compared about 166,000 children ages 3 to 14 who started on ADHD medications in 2019 with kids who didn’t, finding the kids on meds were more than five times as likely to be on additional psychiatric medications four years later. The combined effects in young children, the Journal points out, haven’t been studied closely.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Botulism Cases Tied To Baby Formula Climb To 31 Infants Across 15 States
Investigators recently have found the recalled ByHeart product available on store shelves in Oregon, Minnesota, and Arizona. Other public health news is regarding fluoride in drinking water, ultraprocessed foods, the fiber fad, and more.
Firefighters Who Battled LA Inferno Show Concerning Health Changes
In the Fire Fighter Cancer Cohort Study of the risks firefighters face, researchers noted that participants who responded to the Los Angeles fires had alterations in immune function, cancer risk, and DNA function. Other states in the news include North Carolina, Missouri, Texas, and Florida.
Hollywood Elite Shift Focus To Health Care As Actors Back Function Health
Matt Damon and Zac Efron are among the investors in the subscription-based health tech company, which offers customers more than 100 lab tests and alerts them to potential medical problems such as cancer, thyroid issues, or kidney disease. Other news is on a diagnostic AI startup, hospital closures, and more.
Senators Squabble Over ‘Health Cost Freight Train’ Racing Toward Patients
The Senate Finance Committee met Wednesday to discuss possible alternatives for Affordable Care Act subsidies, which expire at the end of the year. Republicans are calling for an overhaul of the system, but Democrats say they waited too long to initiate such reforms.
On Official Website, CDC Now Suggests Vaccines May Cause Autism
The change of language came Wednesday and includes a pledge to dig deeper into the causes of autism, going so far as to say, “Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.”
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
Researchers Develop New Lyme Disease Test For Faster, More Reliable Results
The molecular test can distinguish between past infections and current ongoing ones, which is important as Lyme disease grows more prevalent in the U.S. Other news follows how Novo Nordisk is using GLP-1s to possibly treat Alzheimer’s.
Strict Abortion Bill Fails To Advance Out Of South Carolina Subcommittee
Four Republicans abstained from voting, ensuring Democrats would block the measure that called for jailing people who get an abortion. Separately, ProPublica examines cases in which women died after they were unable to access standard reproductive care. Also, one woman’s harrowing delivery.
Former FDA Chief Gottlieb Joins Board Of Embattled UnitedHealth Group
It’s seen as the latest effort by CEO Stephen Hemsley — who was appointed in May — to turn around the insurance giant, which has struggled since the December 2024 slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
RFK Jr. Suggests Kids’ Peanut Allergies Might Be From Aluminum In Vaccines
“Those studies have never been done. We’re going to do them now,” the Health and Human Services secretary said at an event Monday. However, as USA Today notes, youth peanut allergy rates have fallen since guidelines were put into effect in 2017 that recommended introducing peanuts earlier.
US Withholds Crucial Antiretroviral Drug From HIV-Plagued South Africa
An administration official noted that South Africa and other countries “have significant means of their own” to pay for lenacapavir. Critics say the plan appears politically motivated. Other administration news is about special education, SNAP, VA transparency, and more.
In ACA Subsidy Fight, Trump Demands Payments Go ‘Directly … To The People’
On his Truth Social site Tuesday, President Donald Trump criticized health insurance companies and said he would not approve any other type of legislation.
