Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers examine these public health issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on aging, trisomy 18, Morgellons disease, the war in Ukraine, and more.
86 Dreamers Deported, 261 Detained In Immigration Crackdown, DHS Confirms
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients — those who arrived in the United States before the age of 16 — are protected under U.S. law, Democratic senators argued as they called on the Department of Homeland Security to provide more information about the removals.
Cigna Acquires Pharmacy That Supplies Prescription Drugs To 10% Of Hospitals
The acquisition of CarepathRX adds to Cigna’s ever-growing push for vertical integration and greater control over the flow of pharmaceuticals through the U.S. health care system. Plus: Novartis settles a lawsuit with Henrietta Lacks’ estate; Europe uses minipigs to test drugs; and more.
Proposed ACA Rules Billed As A Boon For Consumers; Critics Warn Of Perils
The Trump administration is proposing Obamacare plans that it says will lower health insurance premiums but that come with much higher deductibles, The New York Times reported. “There’s a chance to really exacerbate the crisis” regarding health care affordability, one expert noted.
Instagram To Alert Parents If Teens Search Suicide Content Frequently
Instagram announced Thursday that it will begin alerting parents who are enrolled in the company’s parental supervision program if their teenagers are repeatedly searching for terms related to suicide or self-harm. Plus: Demand for the 988 crisis hotline is on the rise.
FDA To Offer Its Workers Monetary Incentives For Faster Drug Reviews
The bonus program is designed to reward reviewers who find ways to be more efficient. The pilot program presentation stressed the importance of maintaining quality. Plus: The Trump administration has put a nationwide moratorium on new suppliers for certain medical equipment.
Casey Means’ Surgeon General Confirmation Isn’t A Sure Thing
Two Republican senators on the health committee say they have not decided whether to support the wellness influencer’s bid to become the country’s top doctor. Three others, including Republican Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, are mum on how they will vote. Plus, others weigh in on the nominee.
First Edition: Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Why So Many Girls With Autism Don’t Get Diagnosed; Anti-Vax Rhetoric Endangers Seniors
Opinion writers delve into these public health topics.
PFAS Chemicals May Be Making Men In Their 50s Age Faster, Study Suggests
The study indicates that men between 50 and 65 are most affected by “forever chemicals,” exposure to which has been linked to accelerated epigenetic aging. Meanwhile, 5 out of 6 adults in the U.S. want the government to do more to protect them against toxic chemicals, according to a Pew survey.
Sex, Abortion Are Taboo Topics For Meta Chatbots, Leaked Papers Show
According to leaked documents, company policy forbids AI chatbots from offering underage users “content that provides advice or opinion about sexual health” or information “that helps a user obtain or carry out an abortion,” Mother Jones reports. A spokesperson for Meta disputes the claims.
With Little Notice, Trans Kansans Will Have Driver’s Licenses Canceled Today
A Senate bill was passed by a Republican supermajority in the Kansas Legislature last week and will go into effect today, despite the governor’s veto. Other states making news: New Hampshire, Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California.
New Guidance On Psychotropic Meds Focuses On Deprescribing
The task force convened by the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology focused on recognizing situations and circumstances where deprescribing would be appropriate as opposed to the logistics of how to do it. Also in the news: radiation doses from heart scans; the FDA approves a drug for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis; and more.
In Interview For Top Doc Post, Means Sidesteps Vaccine Recommendations
Although surgeon general nominee Casey Means acknowledged vaccines are a key public health tool, she would not specifically say she endorses them. Separately, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has parted ways with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
$259M In Medicaid Funds Is Withheld From Minn.; More States May Follow
The Trump administration announced the move Wednesday, warning that similar crackdowns may be coming for other states, including California. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, called the move “devastating for veterans, families with young kids, folks with disabilities, and working people across our state.”
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
First Edition: Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medical Puzzle: Calif. Officer Dies From Fentanyl Ingestion After Giving Narcan
Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano began feeling unwell shortly after administering Narcan to a DUI suspect. But precisely how Cano ingested a deadly amount of fentanyl remains unclear. Other news from the Golden State is on autism training for police, a possible San Francisco ban on retail sales of laughing gas, and more.
