Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hospital Execs Lambaste GOP Medicaid Proposal As Death Knell For Care
The Republican plan “will lead to millions of hardworking Americans losing access to health care and many of our nation’s hospitals struggling to maintain services and stay open,” one executive says. Plus, what the cuts might mean for SNAP, drug middlemen, elder care, and more.
Trump’s Order To Cut Rx Prices Might Have Little Effect On Patients, Pharma
News outlets unpack what his executive order means for Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance plans.
A Record 24.3M People Signed Up For ACA Plans During Open Enrollment
Data out from CMS on Monday show a 13% increase in 2025 over the record set a year ago. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that millions of Americans could lose health care coverage under a GOP-led proposal to cut back Affordable Care Act subsidies.
First Edition: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
More High Schoolers Are Using Nicotine Pouches
Also: Fungus-contaminated marijuana is recalled in Arizona; the FDA is warning against tianeptine, aka “gas station heroin”; coolers are recalled after handles cause finger amputations; and more.
‘Unprecedented’ Abortion Pill Bill Clears Texas Senate
Among its restrictions, Senate Bill 2880 says no state judge has jurisdiction to rule on its constitutionality, and if they were to do it anyway, they can be personally sued for $100,000, The Texas Tribune reported. Plus: news from Maryland, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and California.
After Measles Outbreak, North Dakota Officials Quarantine Unvaccinated Kids
One school district is requiring unvaxxed schoolchildren exposed to the measles virus to quarantine for 21 days. Meanwhile, for only the second time in 30 years, the number of measles cases nationwide has surpassed 1,000. Other news is on listeria, flu, enterovirus D68, and screwworms in cattle.
Different Takes: GOP Sen. Josh Hawley Condemns Medicaid Cuts As Harmful To The American People
Opinion writers delve into these public health issues.
First At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Test Wins FDA Approval
Teal Health’s test would give an alternative to in-office pap smears. Other pharma and health industry news covers a new CEO at the American Medical Association; robots at Walgreens; a startup from Elizabeth Holmes’ partner; and more.
Judge Halts Federal Layoffs, Says Congress Must Be Involved
San Francisco Judge Susan Illston, a Clinton appointee, did not order workers to be rehired, however. She said the president can make changes but “must do so with the cooperation of Congress; the Constitution is structured that way.” Plus: more updates on how the cuts have affected health care.
FDA OKs New Natural Food Dyes As HHS Aims To Remove Artificial Ones
Meanwhile, Axios reports the FDA is making plans to use AI in its decision-making. Also: President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order to bring down the cost of meds.
House Republicans Unveil Plan To Cut Medicaid Funding
As Politico reports, states will bear the burden of the plan, which includes new work requirements and curbs states’ ability to levy taxes on providers. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will meet 2 p.m. Tuesday to debate and advance the bill.
First Edition: Monday, May 12, 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 enjoy. Today’s selections are on Pope Leo XIV’s health care stances, measles vaccination efforts, the WHO, ethics in AI, and loneliness.
Thousands Line Up For Free Care At Mega Health Clinic In St. Louis
The downtown event brought in more than 1,800 providers and served more than 7,000 people. Other states making news include Montana, Hawaii, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, New York, and Florida.
Abu Dhabi Grows Health Care Presence In San Francisco To Lure More Startups
This is part of Abu Dhabi Investment Office’s project to expand its health care cluster in the UAE. Other industry news is on NeueHealth going private; layoffs at New York-Presbyterian Health System; Mass General Brigham’s AI to detect cancer; and more.
US Infant Mortality Fell In 2024; Vaccines May Have Played A Role
Experts have pointed to RSV vaccine campaigns as a possible reason why. A separate CDC report shows that infant hospitalizations in the 2024-25 respiratory virus season were more than 40% lower than past averages. Also: the uptick in cancer in people under 50; avian flu in cats; and more.
As House Eases Up On Medicaid Cuts, Trump Tells Congress To Tax The Rich
Meanwhile, the GOP is looking to nix a Trump-backed Medicaid drug-pricing plan, and Democrats are urging cuts to excess spending in Medicare Advantage.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Anxiety, Fear Keeping Migrants From The Medical Care They Need
Health care professionals worry about the risks posed to immigrants when people forego medical treatment out of fear that ICE will come for them, The New York Times reports. Plus, news about family separations, deportation plans, foreign aid cuts, and more.
