Latest KFF Health News Stories
‘State Of Crisis’ As Rural Hospital Maternity Unit Closures Rise In 2025
A new report points to 27 completed or planned labor and delivery unit closures this year. Other industry news is on Genesis HealthCare, the fight between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the UMass Memorial Health system, pediatric ER care, and more.
Cancer Scientist Richard Pazdur Picked As FDA’s Top Drug Regulator
Pazdur will head the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, replacing George Tidmarsh. Other pharma news is on telehealth prescriptions for certain controlled substances, health information privacy related to wearable devices and mobile health apps, and more.
HRT For Menopause Will No Longer Carry A ‘Black Box’ Warning
The FDA issued the announcement Monday. Commissioner Marty Makary said the warnings were based on outdated science. Scroll down to our Editorials and Opinions section to read the story.
Full SNAP Payments Remain On Hold While Congress Works On Funding Bill
The Supreme Court’s emergency ruling will expire by midnight Thursday, giving the House and President Trump just days to approve and sign a measure that would fund the government.
ACA Subsidies: GOP Alternatives Would Link Abortion Or Even Gut The System
Republicans are floating ideas for discussion after the government reopens. One idea from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would extend the soon-to-expire Obamacare subsidies in exchange for stricter abortion restrictions on insurance plans. Another idea from President Donald Trump would give federal health care funds directly to individuals instead of through insurers. Policy experts say Obamacare would collapse under that plan.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: American Health Care Needs A Reboot; Planned Parenthood Cuts Destroy Public Health
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Maryland Legislature Considers Relaxing Laws On Psychedelic Drugs
The Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances submitted its report on the benefits of easing restrictions on psilocybin, mescaline, and dimethyltryptamine, three natural psychedelics. Also in the news: Colorado, Ohio, Connecticut, North Carolina, Texas, California, and Louisiana.
New Cholesterol Breakthroughs Help Reduce LDL Levels, Heart Attack Risk
Merck’s new pill, enlicitide, and Amgen’s longtime Repatha shot are showing heart attack risk-lowering potential, and researchers have made progress on the gene-editing front.
55% Greater Risk Of Asthma For Vets Stationed In Iraq, Afghanistan: Study
Researchers also found higher risks of chronic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal polyposis. Also, ByHeart baby formula has been recalled due to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism. Plus, research shows 1 in 27 women are informally sharing breast milk.
Trump Claims Most Americans Will Get $2,000 Tariff Dividend Payout
There’s no specific plan for the payments, which Congress would likely need to approve. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments about whether Trump overstepped his authority in levying tariffs without congressional support. Plus: Would 50-year mortgages help the housing crisis?
Hunger Pains And Confusion Grow As Courts, States, Trump Battle Over SNAP
On Sunday night, an appeals court denied President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt the release of full funding for November’s payments. Trump also threatened Friday to penalize states that paid full benefits and ordered them to claw back the money. It’s unclear if that demand still stands.
ACA Subsidies Still In Limbo As Senate Nears Deal To End Longest Shutdown
Eight senators voted with the Democratic caucus to advance a compromise measure to fund the government through the end of January. SNAP benefits would resume, but the extension of health care tax credits is not included. Plus, President Trump renews call to repeal Obamacare.
First Edition: Monday, Nov. 10, 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 peanut allergies, nutrition, SAD, ELISA testing, and more.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Judge Rules Social Media Giants Must Face Trial Over Youth Addiction Claim
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat’s parent companies will be forced to face trial in the claim that they designed social media platforms to addict youths. Trials are set to start in January, after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl ruled against the companies this week in their last chance to avoid trial.
Texas Seeks Restraining Order Against Tylenol For Alleged False Advertising
In the Thursday filing, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused the makers of Tylenol of false advertising because the painkiller is promoted as safe to use during pregnancy.
LGBTQ+ Advocates Decry Ruling That Blocks Gender Changes On Passports
The Supreme Court let stand a Trump administration policy that bars people from updating their gender markers. One ACLU director quickly denounced the decision, calling it an “attempt to dehumanize, humiliate, and endanger transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Americans.”
Applications For $50B Rural Health Fund Are In From All 50 States
Half of the money will be divided equally among all states with approved applications, while the other $25 billion will be awarded at the discretion of CMS chief Mehmet Oz and will be based on criteria such as whether the states have adopted MAHA policies. Also: AI-powered prior authorization programs; a nurse staffing agency challenges the $100K visa fee; and more.
