Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida Bill Would Criminalize Helping Minors Access Gender-Affirming Care
Although gender-affirming care is already illegal in Florida, a new bill would change who could be held criminally liable for it. More news from around the nation comes from Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Oregon, New York, and North Carolina.
Insurance CEOs In Capitol Hill Hot Seat Over Surging Health Care Costs
The chief executive officers of UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, Elevance Health, Cigna, and Ascendiun are slated to testify today. One insurer, UnitedHealth Group, has revealed plans to return ACA profits to its marketplace members while Congress works “toward more long-term solutions.”
Withdrawal From WHO, Now In Effect, Weakens America’s Sway, Experts Warn
Today marks the United States’ formal exit from the World Health Organization, of which it had been a member since 1948. Advocates for the disease-fighting alliance see a path to the U.S. agreeing to rejoin, perhaps if the Trump administration sees an American at the helm.
First Edition: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Prenatal Exposure To Wildfire Smoke Raises Autism Risk, Study In Calif. Says
The risk of autism diagnosis was 10% to 23% higher depending on how many days a pregnant person in the third trimester was exposed to smoke pollution. Plus, Florida moves to woo nurses. More news comes from Hawaii, Wyoming, Missouri, and Maryland. Also, a tuna recall affects nine states.
Viewpoints: Most Insurance Preapprovals Are Unnecessary; Patients Skip Insurance In A Broken System
Opinion writers delve into these public health topics.
Lurie Children’s Hospital In Chicago Halts Even More Trans Care For Minors
Lurie was one of just a few Chicago-area hospitals that still provided gender-affirming medications to minors. The hospital announced Tuesday that it had been threatened with a federal probe and would no longer offer the meds for those under 18 who hadn’t previously been treated at the hospital.
Red Cross Asks For Blood Donations As It Declares A Severe Shortage
The American Red Cross says hospital demand is outpacing donor blood supply, which is impacted by factors including inclement weather and the flu season. Other public health news is on cancer research, mental health, and gun violence.
CDC Official Downplays Potential Loss Of Measles Elimination Status In US
Ralph Abraham, principal deputy director of the CDC, claimed the continued spread of the virus is ‘just the cost of doing business.” As Stat notes, however, elimination status is lost if a country is unable to stop ongoing transmission of the virus and circulation continues for a year or longer.
Vice President Vance And Wife Usha Are Expecting Fourth Child, A Boy
The second family’s newest member is due to arrive in July. In other administration news, DOGE did indeed gain access to one of the government’s most protected databases — the one containing Americans’ Social Security information. Plus, the toll of ICE actions in Minnesota and Florida.
Congress Irons Out A Deal To Fund HHS, But There Still Could Be Wrinkles
The legislation still must pass the Senate and House. Stat noted that many of the health care reforms in the package were part of a deal Congress struck in December 2024 that quickly fell apart after then President-elect Trump and Elon Musk attacked it.
First Edition: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Minnesota Residents ‘Holding Off’ On Medical Care In Order To Avoid ICE
Also: More older adults are protesting in California; geriatricians say it can be beneficial to their health. Other news from around the nation comes from Maryland, Florida, Oregon, and Illinois.
Pig Kidney Recipient Gets A Human Organ, Making Transplant History
Doctors and scientists have been able to fine-tune treatment for future xenotransplant patients after guiding New Hampshire patient Tim Andrews through an experimental pig kidney transplant that his body rejected months later but that bought him time while waiting for a human kidney match.
Future Of Abortion Rights In Virginia Will Be Decided By Voters
A proposed constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights cleared the Virginia General Assembly last week. The issue will go before voters in November. Virginia currently allows abortion through the second trimester of pregnancy.
Phantom Exchange Enrollees May Haunt Health Insurers As Sign-Ups End
Some insurers are still seeing enrollees who were automatically enrolled when their previous carrier left the market, and they are not counting on them paying their premiums. Early evidence suggests that more exchange enrollees than usual will not keep their plans this year. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump focuses blame on insurance companies for rising health care costs.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
As Vaccinations Dip, Experts Warn That Few ERs Can Fully Care For Sick Kids
Only about 17% of hospitals met standards for high pediatric readiness in a 2024 national study of almost 5,000 emergency departments, Axios reported. In related news, the United States is on the cusp of losing its measles elimination status.
Maternal Acetaminophen Use Does Not Increase Autism Risk, Review Confirms
Acetaminophen remains “the first-line treatment that we would recommend if the pregnant women have pain or fever in pregnancy,” said Dr. Asma Khalil, the lead author of the study. Other MAHA news looks at fluoridated water, whole milk, and more.
