Latest KFF Health News Stories
FDA OKs Trial For Gene-Edited Pig Kidney Transplants
Stat reports that Boston-based eGenesis will likely begin the study early next year, aimed at helping patients with end-stage kidney disease. Other pharma and tech news is on Novartis, Summit Therapeutics, “smart cartilage,” and more.
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Health Care Job Growth May Be Slowing, August Jobs Report Indicates
Separately, more than 600 Kaiser Permanente certified nurse midwives and registered nurse anesthetists held a one-day strike in Northern California on Monday. Other industry news is on rural hospitals, the cost of ambulance services, hospital real estate, and more.
White House Signals Cuts To Poor Americans’ SSI Disability Benefits
The proposed reversal would end the Biden-era rule for Supplemental Security Income that allowed those in need to still receive it even if someone in the household was on SNAP. It could affect hundreds of thousands of poor Americans. Meanwhile, California looks to ban private companies from charging fees to help file veterans’ disability claims.
Vaccine Policy Exposes Signs Of Strife Between MAHA Movement, President
Stat explores the nuances in the language used by President Trump regarding vaccines, highlighting the difference in opinion between him and RFK Jr. “If I were at HHS, I would be very mindful of the president’s comments,” a former HHS official said.
FDA’s Makary Says Autism Report Isn’t Written, Calls WSJ Story ‘Premature’
Chief Marty Makary says it hasn’t even been started yet but that it will be released “within a month,” Bloomberg reported. Meanwhile, Kenvue, the parent company of Tylenol, is seeing its stock drop after The Wall Street Journal’s story saying the government plans to link autism with Tylenol use during pregnancy.
FTC’s Sole Democrat Caught In Fray As Agency Abandons Noncompete Bans
President Donald Trump had fired Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter in March, but she won a court reprieve and was reinstated. On Monday, however, the Supreme Court halted that lower court ruling. Meanwhile, the FTC voted 3-1 last week on the noncompete issue; Slaughter cast the dissenting vote. In a statement reported by Modern Healthcare, Slaughter said tossing the regulation was another attempt by Trump to “throw workers under the bus to ingratiate himself with corporations.”
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Although Still A Threat, Mpox Isn’t A Global Health Emergency, WHO Says
The Africa CDC did not lower its public health emergency status for mpox. Plus, the Democratic Republic of Congo is under strain to contain Ebola and other diseases after the U.S. cut aid. Other U.S. health threats are about bird flu, N meningitidis conjunctivitis, salmonella, and listeria.
Missouri Attorney General, Who Is Against Abortion Rights, Heads To FBI
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who used his office to attack reproductive rights, was named an FBI co-deputy director, NPR reports. Also: Justice Amy Coney Barrett defends overturning Roe.
Texas Parental Consent Law Leaves School Nurses In Limbo Over Care
The Texas Tribune reports that although the new law urges “common sense,” some nurses are concerned about violating the law if they provide basic care, like offering bandages, without a parent’s approval. Other news comes from Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Michigan, and more.
Leaked Documents Imply Meta Hid Kids’ Safety Risks In VR Apps, Devices
Meta publicly committed to making child safety a top priority across its platforms, but internal documents recently disclosed to Congress include guidance from Meta’s legal team on how researchers should handle sensitive topics that risked bad press, lawsuits, or action by regulators. The company has vehemently denied the accusations. Plus: chronic pain, hearing loss, cancer, and more.
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
Walgreens Private Equity Deal May Mean Closures, Threaten Patient Access
As part of the deal, Walgreens will be split into five privately owned companies, but experts warn that private equity takeovers often mean store closures, reduced staffing, and prescription errors. Sycamore Partners has no background in health care or retail pharmacy. Also, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) warns the buyout may run the company into the ground.
Trump Defends Covid And Polio Vaccines While Also Defending RFK Jr.
Meanwhile, among some GOP lawmakers, doubts linger over HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Also: the difficulties in getting a covid shot; Florida’s plan to drop school vaccine rules; the nation’s current covid levels; and more.
RFK Jr. Expected To Tie Tylenol Use During Pregnancy With Autism
A Department of Health and Human Services report, due out this month, will look at other potential causes of autism. It also will explore leucovorin as a means to lessen symptoms, people familiar with the report indicate. Plus, the Autism Science Foundation issues a response.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 8, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues and others.
Minnesota Judge Dismisses Lawsuit, Keeps Abortion Protections In Place
The lawsuit, brought by anti-abortion organizations and crisis pregnancy centers, sought to limit abortion access, claiming that the state’s abortion laws are too permissive. Other states in the news: North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Wyoming, New Hampshire, and more.
After Minneapolis Shooting, Feds May Ban Gun Ownership For Trans People
The discussions focus on whether to classify being transgender as a mental illness, which would disqualify individuals from the right to own guns under existing rules. More mental health news looks at LSD to reduce anxiety, a pill to heal the brain post-stroke, and more.
