Latest KFF Health News Stories
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Today’s stories are on blindness, tremors, tattoos, fatherhood, and more.
Asthma Risk Higher In Kids Exposed To Ozone Pollution Early In Life
The analysis showed exposure before age 2 increased the risk of asthma and wheezing by age 4. Other news is on the link between covid and heart disease; creatine supplement effectiveness; and more.
Tennessee Audit Of Express Scripts Finds It Violated State Laws
Express Scripts is one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S. The state found that the company did not properly reimburse pharmacies and favored its own specialty pharmacies over others. Other news comes from Florida, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, and California.
Idaho Judge Orders State To Expand Exemptions In Near-Total Abortion Ban
Four women represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights sued to bring clarity exceptions to the ban. Idaho’s abortion ban is among the strictest in the country. Meanwhile, the Wyoming Supreme Court will hear a case regarding its abortion ban, and Texas lawmakers eye tweaks to their law.
Measles Cases Surpass 700 With 7 Outbreaks, Several Pop-Up Infections
The Texas-New Mexico hot spot accounts for nearly 600 of the confirmed cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. Roughly 97% of people with infections are either unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
CMS Proposes Hospital Pay Hike For 2026
Under the proposed rule for fiscal 2026, Medicare reimbursements for inpatient hospital care would rise 2.4%. Reimbursements for long-term care hospitals would rise 2.6%, and nursing home reimbursements would rise 2.8%. Other Medicare and Medicaid news is on pricey bandages, provider taxes, and more.
Drug Tariffs Will Affect Millions Of Americans And Could Complicate Care
Many drugs use active ingredients that are manufactured outside the U.S., among them the anticoagulant heparin, which 12 million patients use each year. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca’s Chairman Michel Demaré says pharmaceutical tariffs will hurt patients.
Viewpoints: Let’s Keep Realistic CRISPR Expectations; ‘Most Favored Nation’ Drug Pricing Falls Short
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
President Trump Touts Physical, Cognitive Health After Medical Exam
Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, his doctor, proclaimed Donald Trump is “fully fit” to carry out the duties of his office. The full medical report is available.
Oz Tells States Not To Use Medicaid For Gender-Affirming Care
New CMS administrator Mehmet Oz sent out a letter Friday. Plus: Experts express doubt about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s autism timetable and criticize him for giving families false hope.
Kennedy’s Comments Alarm FDA Employees During Friday’s Visit
Politico reports that in his speech to employees, HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. referenced the “deep state” and human mind control. He also referred to the people in the audience as “sock puppets.” Several staffers reportedly walked out mid-speech.
First Edition: Monday, April 14, 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 homelessness, microplastics, Cory Booker, and more.
Maryland’s Maximum Security Psychiatric Facility Loses Accreditation
According to The Washington Post, The Joint Commission visited Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center to inspect the location after the facility struggled with safety concerns, understaffing, and excessive leadership turnover. Others states making news are Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, and California.
Crozer Health Raises Funds To Stave Off Closure As Sale Woes Continue
Prospect Medical Holdings has managed to keep the lights on for another week at two of its Pennsylvania hospitals while it transitions some services to nearby providers in line with its closure contingency plan. Also in the news: GE HealthCare, Cincinnati Children’s, GWU Hospital, and more.
Opinion writers examine these public health issues.
What Is Causing Rising Autism Rates? RFK Jr. Vows To Find Out By September
At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said his agency has launched a large research effort involving “hundreds of scientists from around the world” to determine “what has caused the autism epidemic.” Experts in the field of autism say rising rates are due to increased awareness and expanded parameters, as well as increased access to services, reports ABC news.
FDA Leans Into AI Models As Replacement For Animal Testing
FDA Commissioner Martin Makary said this move would offer newer treatments for patients quicker, while also reducing the cost of research and development. Other news includes: lab models of pain pathways to test drugs; a device that diagnoses TB without a lab; and more.
Immigrants Aren’t Dead, But Social Security Adds Them To Death Database
By adding more than 6,000 immigrants to the death file, the Trump administration is cutting off their access to Medicaid, Medicare, and other programs, The Washington Post reports. The administration is using this tactic to force people to leave the U.S., with plans to reclassify more people in the future.
NIH Allegedly Tells Workers To Ignore DOGE Emails About Their Productivity
Messages obtained by Politico said, “NIH … will notify employees directly if any information related to work duties or performance is needed.” The messages also said the ability to travel or purchase work materials “will be restored to full capacity and use” on Thursday, Politico reported. In March, DOGE put a $1 spending limit on purchasing cards.
