Latest KFF Health News Stories
Strict Abortion Laws In Louisiana, North Carolina Could Get More Severe
In Louisiana, where abortion is banned without any exceptions, a Republican bill would expand the definition of “coerced abortion.” In North Carolina, where abortion is legal only up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and has exceptions for rape and incest, a Republican bill would make abortion illegal after conception and eliminate those exceptions.
CDC Again Sends Team To Texas To Assess Growing Measles Outbreak
The three staff members are in the Lone Star State at the request of the governor. Meanwhile, public health experts weigh in on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s mixed messaging about the MMR vaccine after the HHS secretary touted treatments that have not been proved to be effective.
Viewpoints: CMS Should Reconsider Covering GLP-1 Drugs; Cuts To HIV Care Terrify Vulnerable Patients
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Federal Judge Blocks Nursing Home Staffing Mandate
U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk said the Department of Health and Human Services lacked the authority to issue the mandate. Also in health care industry news: CVS; Envision Healthcare; the “Zero Suicide Model;” and more.
Trump Administration Bumps Payment Rates For Medicare Insurers By 5%
The boost is double the one proposed in January by the Biden administration. Meanwhile, a study shows how UnitedHealth Group used certain strategies to get more money from Medicare Advantage.
HHS Chief RFK Jr. Urges More States To Outlaw Fluoride In Drinking Water
He spoke Monday in Utah, where a ban goes into effect in May. Meanwhile, the fallout continues from layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Invasive Group A Strep Infections Are Rising In US, CDC Study Shows
The rising rates of diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions make people more vulnerable to invasive strep, which can trigger flesh-eating disease and be life-threatening. Other news is on toxic metals left in the body after MRI scans, how marathon running can damage the brain, and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
Today’s stories are on paralysis, pacemakers, Alzheimer’s, mental health, and more.
More Trouble In The Egg Aisle: 2 Liquid Substitutes Recalled Over Bleach Risk
Egg Beaters and Bob Evans liquid eggs may contain a cleaning solution with sodium hypochlorite, also known as bleach. In other health and wellness news: decreased number of heart attacks in long-distance-running events; cancer research; and more.
NY Bucks White House, Says Public Schools Won’t Eliminate DEI programs
The New York State Education Department says it is “unaware of any authority” the U.S. government has to demand that states end DEI programs or to rescind federal funding if they do not comply, The Washington Post reports. Other national news is out of California, Texas, Idaho, and Virginia.
Drugmakers Must Redo Research After FDA Finds Problems With Contractor
The FDA found “objectionable conditions” during a 2023 inspection of the Raptim Research facility in Nava Mumbai, India. An unspecified number of companies are affected. Raptim said on its website that the FDA recently inspected an unnamed facility and didn’t find problems; it’s unclear when that inspection occurred.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Second Texas Child Dies Of Measles As Infections Continue To Surge
The 8-year-old girl was not vaccinated against the highly contagious virus. Three days after the girl’s death — and after the nation’s tally of cases topped 600 — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted on X: “The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.”
Administration Rejects Medicaid, Medicare Plan To Cover Obesity Drugs
The Biden-era plan, scrapped Friday, would have cost the federal government billions of dollars and expanded access to millions of Americans. Meanwhile, states are struggling with the rising cost of GLP-1 drugs.
Medicare Has Enough In Trust Fund To Last An Extra 17 Years, CBO Reports
Policy experts extended the program’s depletion date to 2052 after determining that enrollees aren’t seeking hospital care as often as they used to, leading to savings in the main trust fund. Medicare’s trustees will release their own findings this spring.
NIH Will See Second Wave Of Layoffs As Part Of HHS Restructuring
Some of the layoffs will be to compensate for those rehired after the first wave. Meanwhile, Politico reports on how HHS had no intention of rehiring 20% of the departments’ fired employees, as previously reported. Other disruptions caused by the cuts include: 9/11 firefighter programs, call centers that provide essential safety information, and more.
First Edition: Monday, April 7, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers analyze these public health issues.
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 autism, miscarriage, gun violence, ALS, and more.
