Latest KFF Health News Stories
To Align Drug Prices With Trump’s Priorities, Eli Lilly Raises Them Abroad
This list price for the highest dose of Mounjaro, for example, would go from roughly $165 to $447 in the United Kingdom. The drugmaker says this in effect would then “make them lower in the U.S.” Plus, a look at how President Trump’s tariffs would affect drug manufacturers that rely on Ireland.
Trump’s Wide Birth Control Mandate Exemptions Went Too Far, Judge Finds
The moral and religious carve-outs to contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act were deemed arbitrary, capricious, and an overreach of the administration’s authority, The Hill reports. Separately, scientists want to study mifepristone’s potential for breast cancer prevention but can’t.
HHS Reinstates Defunct Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines
In an effort to satisfy the demands of anti-vaccine activists, HHS announced Thursday that the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines will be restored. Experts are worried this move will undermine confidence in childhood vaccines.
First Edition: Friday, Aug. 15, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Brain-Eating Amoeba Case Reported In Missouri; West Nile Spikes In Chicago
The rare and mostly fatal amebic infection happens when a parasite enters the body of someone swimming in warm water. Also, the stratus covid variant is surging in 12 states.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Effort To Halt Use Of mRNA Vaccines Also Puts Cancer Vaccine At Risk
Scientists are warning people that it isn’t just covid vaccines that will be affected. In other vaccine news: RFK Jr.’s criticisms of the hepatitis B vaccine; updates on Vinay Prasad; and successful results from the HPV vaccine rollout, and more.
Illinois Becomes Third State To Ban AI Use For Mental Health Care, Therapy
As of last week, Illinois joins Nevada and Utah in no longer allowing chatbots or AI to be used by therapists in any capacity other than administrative. The ban also extends to companies that offer AI-powered therapy services without licensed therapists’ involvement. More news is from Arkansas, New York, Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.
In Study, People Who Used ADHD Meds Had Lower Risk Of Suicidal Behavior
The study also noted a 15% drop in substance misuse and showed benefit for patients who were taking stimulant medications rather than nonstimulants. Plus: developing new painkillers; how semaglutide affects muscle strength; and more.
NY Man Charged In Cyberstalking Of Slain UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Relative
The man is accused of making repeated threatening calls to Brian Thompson’s family member. He is due in court today. Other news is about a Mission Health settlement, reduced workforces at Providence and CentraCare, and Oracle’s EHR platform.
Ending Resistance, Mars Reveals It Will Make Naturally Colored M&Ms, Skittles
Mars Wrigley Inc. made the announcement without fanfare on its website many weeks ago — two days after meeting with FDA Chief Marty Makary, Bloomberg reported. The company will unveil “options made without FD&C colors” next year.
Billions In Foreign Aid Can Remain Frozen Or Terminated, Court Rules
A federal appeals panel voted 2-to-1 against a group of international aid groups, ruling they did not have the legal standing to bring a lawsuit. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has ordered a six-month stockpile of advanced pharmaceutical ingredients; drug companies have formed a group to present research on the negative effects of Medicare drug price negotiations; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Poll Finds Americans Aren’t Drinking: Alcohol Consumption Hits 90-Year Low
Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits survey found only 54% of U.S. adults drank alcohol in 2025. Separately, research shows that autism is being diagnosed earlier in young children, but girls still wait longer than boys. Also in the news: dementia, cancer, and warnings about the herbal tonic “Feel Free.”
Missouri Set To Close 12 Schools For Children With Severe Disabilities
The State Board of Education on Tuesday approved a plan to close the schools, citing issues of declining enrollment, staffing struggles, and deferred maintenance. Other states making news: New York, Wyoming, Florida, California, and Texas.
Combination Therapy For Weight Loss, Alzheimer’s Could Be Next Big Thing
Multiple pharmaceutical firms are researching whether their blockbuster weight loss drugs can also help treat early Alzheimer’s. Plus: The FDA has approved the first treatment for non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in people 12 and older.
After Using AI To Help Spot Cancer, Doctors’ Own Skills Faded, Study Finds
Researchers found AI tools helped professionals to spot precancerous colon growths more easily, but when the AI tool was removed, their abilities to find tumors fell about 20% compared with rates before they used AI. Meanwhile, a report says AI adoption is racing far ahead of health system governance.
Viewpoints: RFK Jr. ‘Reviewed The Science’ And Got It Wrong; Stem Cell IVF Will Open Pandora’s Box
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
ACA Market May Be In For Turbulent Ride, CMS Data Suggest
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services noted it found inconsistencies in the number of claims on exchanges. “As you pull … subsidized dollars out of the system, it means margins will be lower and people are going to be paying higher premiums,” one health care strategist says.
