Latest KFF Health News Stories
California To Drop Health Insurance Of DACA Recipients Due To Policy Changes
Covered California said it will end coverage of more than 2,300 DACA enrollees by Aug. 31. In other state news: Wildfire smoke wreaks havoc on the Midwest; measles cases grow; and more.
CMS Reportedly Will Allow Voluntary Coverage Of Weight Loss Drugs
The Washington Post says it has obtained documents that detail the five-year experiment involving state Medicaid programs and Medicare Part D plans. Plus: CMS has bumped up Medicare payments for inpatient services and long-term care.
CDC Tells Outside Experts Their Input On Vaccine Policy Is No Longer Needed
Subcommittee members who offer policy recommendations have been excluded from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ working groups. Other news is about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on preventive care and vaccine harm, lower kindergarten vaccine rates, and more.
Trump Withholds Millions In Medical Research Funding From UCLA
The administration has accused the University of California, Los Angeles of continuing to engage in race discrimination. Separately, a Senate Appropriations Committee voted in favor of increasing the NIH budget by $400 million.
Pharma Companies Have 60 Days To Lower Drug Prices In US, Trump Says
In line with President Donald Trump’s “most favored nation” model, letters were sent Thursday to 17 of the world’s biggest drug companies demanding price cuts for Americans and direct-to-consumer sales options. Meanwhile, the administration is testing the efficacy of a rebate system for safety-net providers that participate in 340B rather than discounting prices upfront.
First Edition: Friday, Aug. 1, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Type Of HPV On Skin Can Cause Skin Cancer In The Immunocompromised
While HPV can help UV-damaged DNA build up in cells and turn cancerous, the study found that the virus itself could cause cancerous lesions to form. More studies in the news focus on how extreme heat makes us sicker, how SNAP participation is linked to slower cognitive decline, and more.
California Governor Signs Executive Order To Boost Men’s Mental Health
The order is aimed at improving the mental health struggles of men and boys ranging from loneliness to suicide rates. Other states making news: New Hampshire, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Illinois, North Carolina, West Virginia, and New York.
Health Officials Warn Of Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak In NYC
The city’s health department is investigating a cluster of cases that has killed one person and sickened more than 20 others. Separately, researchers have noted a surge in pediatric cases of influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news
Viewpoints: The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program Is Essential; Why Autism Diagnoses Have Risen
Editorial writers discuss the following public health topics.
Communities In A Bind After Private-Equity Payouts Gutted Hospitals
The Wall Street Journal delves into the bankruptcies of two hospital systems that left gaps in health care and financially strained state and local governments. Separately, the workforce shortage afflicting the health care sector might worsen under President Trump’s budget cuts.
Estimated Average Cost Of Health Care For Retirees Sees 4% Rise, Fidelity says
The average cost now sits at $172,500, according to research by Fidelity Investments. The research also shows that a quarter of Gen Xers have not factored in health care costs to their retirement plans. Also in the news: Democrats attempt to repeal health cuts; pharmaceutical costs are expected to rise; and more.
White House Teams Up With Big Tech On A Consumer Health Records System
Experts raised questions over privacy and security related to a consumer health tracking system following President Donald Trump’s Wednesday announcement. Other administration news is on the FDA, CDC, and more.
First Edition: Thursday, July 31, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Alzheimer’s Association Recommends Favoring Diagnostic Blood Tests
The group says certain blood tests can be used as high fidelity negative tests, since they have over 90% sensitivity. Positive results would still need to be confirmed with traditional tests like PET scans or spinal taps. In other news: a home test for melanoma; risks from ultraprocessed foods; and more.
Family Tried To Get Help For Walmart Stabbing Suspect, Brother Says
The family of Bradford Gille, 42, who is accused of stabbing 11 people at the store near Traverse City, Michigan, told Bridge Michigan, “We’ve been throwing flags for the last 28 years.” Other states making news: New York, North Carolina, Colorado, and South Carolina.
Report: Many Hospitals Fail To Identify ‘Harm Events’ For Medicare Patients
Hospitals told the HHS Office of Inspector General that they did not identify some harm events because staff did not consider them to be harmful or that it was difficult to distinguish harm from patients’ underlying medical conditions, Modern Healthcare reported. Plus: Today is the 60th anniversary of the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
UnitedHealthcare To Leave Some Medicare Advantage Markets
Hit by rising medical care costs and squeezed by government changes, the health care conglomerate acknowledges “pricing and operational mistakes” affected its bottom line and has outlined steps to profitability. Other companies making news include Humana, Novo Nordisk, P&G, and more.
