Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
FDNY Honors 39 Who Died This Year From 9/11-Related Illnesses; HHS ‘Chaos’ Delays WTC Health Program
Plus, three more victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were recently identified using DNA. The New York City medical examiner’s office is still working to identify about 1,100 victims.
Partisan Division Over Gun Control Erupts In US House After Kirk Slaying
Leaders across the political spectrum have decried Wednesday’s fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, at a political event in Utah. But in the House, a moment of silence led to a shouting match, with at least one conservative blaming liberals for the shooting and Democrats demanding that Republicans “pass some gun laws!”
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CMS Delays Medicare Advantage Rule Requiring Reminders Of Unused Perks
The agency says it needs time “to address logistical concerns and reevaluate current requirements” regarding a notification policy about unused benefits. Plus, UnitedHealth’s intentions for Medicare Advantage plans.
Viewpoints: Medical Debt Is A Full-On Health Emergency; Ultraprocessed Foods Have Sickened Americans
Opinion writers examine these public health issues.
Marijuana Use May Be Linked To Birth Defects, Miscarriages, Study Finds
The study, published Tuesday, links high levels of THC with changes in how eggs mature and a possible increase in chromosome malformations. Plus: a new test for HPV-linked head and neck cancer; brain iron levels linked to cognitive impairments; and more.
Wildfire Fighters Will Now Be Provided With Masks For Smoke Protection
The move, which reverses a decades-long ban, comes after a series of articles in The New York Times describing health crises among wildfire fighters. Also in the news: California, Ohio, New York, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, Rhode Island, Maine, Alaska, and elsewhere.
US Death Rate Fell 4% In 2024; Covid No Longer A Top 10 Cause, CDC Says
Heart disease and cancer remain the leading causes of death, a report indicates, but overdoses and other unintentional injuries along with suicides ticked up last year. Plus: Another group recommends covid vaccines; HHS officials want to scour health data for ill effects of covid shots; and more.
CDC Infectious-Disease Data Project Put On Hold Indefinitely
The user-friendly website would have made access to information on numerous diseases readily accessible. Also: Ex-CDC Chief Susan Monarez will testify at a Senate committee hearing on Sept. 17.
White House Steps Up Enforcement Of Rules For Pharma Ads On TV, Online
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive action to crack down on misleading ads. Separately, 340B Drug Pricing Program spending grew 565% from 2010 to 2021, according to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Also: Novo Nordisk is cutting 9,000 jobs.
HHS Report Lays Out Health Priorities For Kids, Omits Biggest Cause Of Death
HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday released the “Make Our Children Healthy Again” plan, which mentioned several dozen issues that the federal government aims to tackle, such as poor diet, chemical exposures, and excess prescription medications. But the report didn’t mention gun violence, which is the leading cause of death for people younger than 18.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Poison Centers See Big Rise In Calls Related To Self-Harm From Preteens
Meanwhile, a data analysis shows that nearly half of people age 15 and older living with diabetes are undiagnosed. Other public health news is on life expectancy, the effect of the pandemic on toddlers, remembering AIDS activist Michael Seltzer, and more.
Shield Laws Likely To Go To High Court As NY Steps Into Texas Abortion Case
As The New York Times explains, shield laws in at least eight states protect health care providers who prescribe abortion pills by telemedicine and send them to patients in states with bans. Other states making news: Louisiana, Texas, Wyoming, South Carolina, Utah, Maine, and others.
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.
