Latest KFF Health News Stories
Amgen Launches Direct-To-Consumer Drugs At Discount, Joins TrumpRx
Patients who pay cash through the drugmaker’s online portal will receive up to 60% off, the company announced. Other pharmaceutical news looks at where vital medicines get their start, antibiotics, cough syrup, breast cancer treatments, and more.
Trump, GOP Say Shutdown Must End, But ACA Subsidy Negotiations Can Wait
Neither side seems willing to budge on whether Obamacare tax credits should be extended. Republicans want to conduct those talks separately. Democrats insist their health care priority be addressed now, before insurers set market rates.
CDC Wants To Break Up MMR Vaccine; Covid Shot Guidelines Updated
The CDC previously said there was “no published scientific evidence” for separating the shots — and no monovalent vaccines are currently approved in the U.S. Meanwhile, the CDC has approved ACIP’s recommendation for people to talk to a health care professional before getting a covid shot.
First Edition: Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded To Trio Including Two American Scientists
The three scientists, Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi, have discovered how the immune system protects us from invading pathogens and how regulatory T cells prevent immune cells from attacking our own body. Scientists hope their discoveries will lead to cures for common autoimmune diseases.
Sepsis Causes More Than 3 Million Childhood Deaths Globally Each Year
According to the Sepsis Alliance, diagnosis in children can be very difficult, with up to 10% of cases missed in the ER. Of the 3.4 million childhood fatalities yearly, up to 85% are children younger than 5. Also: Mosquito-borne chikungunya is on the rise.
Rite Aid Closes Its 89 Remaining Stores Across The US
The pharmacy chain, in business since 1962, struggled financially after filing for bankruptcy twice in the past two years. Other U.S. health news comes from Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Washington, Florida, Ohio, and Maryland.
Costco Will Offer Wegovy, Ozempic For $499 Monthly To Uninsured Members
Novo Nordisk announced Friday that it wanted to ensure everyone had access to the “authentic” drugs. Also, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has pushed for more details regarding the White House’s deal with Pfizer; Colorado has placed a price cap on Enbrel, a drug used to treat some autoimmune diseases; and more.
Viewpoints: Gen Z Would Bear Brunt Of ACA Fight; Imprecise Nutritional Science Muddies MAHA’s Claims
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
Shutdown Is Latest Dose Of Misery For Federal Health Workers
Many federal employees, interviewed by The Washington Post across three dozen agencies, said the shutdown and related fear of layoffs felt like the last straw. Other shutdown news is on the impact to Native American communities, support for ACA subsidies, and more.
Trump Weighs Raising Qualifying Age Threshold For Disability Benefits
If the policy change goes into effect, hundreds of thousands of Americans would no longer be eligible to receive Social Security payments for being unable to work. Plus, The Washington Post contends Veterans Affairs has been targeted by veterans filing bogus disability claims.
First Edition: Monday, Oct. 6, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to read. Today’s selections are on national food aid, cancer, Jimmy Carter, and more.
Changes In Brain Shape Linked To Aging Might Indicate Dementia Risk
A recent study shows how substantial alterations in brain shape are closely associated with declines in memory, reasoning, and other cognitive functions. Plus: Poor sleep contributes to brain aging; covid infections are linked to new-onset dementia; and more.
Venture Capital Firm Takes NeueHealth Private After $1.47 Billion Acquisition
Stockholders in May approved the deal for majority owner New Enterprise to take over the care management firm. More health industry news is about UnitedHealth, Humana, and Aetna.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Nebraska GOP Trying To Weaken Law On Voter-Approved Medical Marijuana
Following in the footsteps of other red states, Nebraska Republicans are pushing back by postponing licensing of marijuana growers, despite overwhelming support at the ballot box. Other news is on firearm injury costs, midwifery clinics, whooping cough, and more.
EPA To Again Allow Use Of Refrigerants Known To Cause Climate Change
Biden-era rules were phasing out hydrofluorocarbons — a family of chemicals used in cooling — that the EPA says lead to increased costs for consumers. Also in the news: ambient trichloroethylene’s link to Parkinson’s; wildfire smoke’s effect on sperm quality; and more.
RFK Jr. Ousts NIH Scientist Who Raised Alarm On Public Health Policies
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo had filed a whistleblower complaint against the administration for actions she said had jeopardized research subjects, defied court orders, and undermined vaccine research, The New York Times reports. She is one of three scientists who was recently fired.
Second Generic Mifepristone Approved, Prompting Conservative Backlash
The FDA’s authorization of Evita Solutions’ abortion pill marks the second time a Trump administration has signed off on a generic option, this time coming just hours ahead of the federal shutdown. Plus, news outlets unpack the risks of a prolonged government closure.
