Latest KFF Health News Stories
Gerber, Beech-Nut, Others Will Face Lawsuit Over Baby Food Contamination
A judge has ruled that parents can try to prove that defective manufacturing and negligence for more than 600 baby food products led to brain and neurodevelopmental damage, Reuters reported. Plus: Workers at a baby formula plant allege it is still struggling with unsanitary practices.
Colorado Tightens Funeral Home Rules But Withholds Inspection Reports
KUNC News reports on the silent tweak to the law that effectively blocked all public access to funeral homes’ records and inspection reports. Other news comes from South Carolina, Minnesota, Missouri, Maryland, California, and elsewhere.
Nurses Are Still Reeling From The Repercussions Of Covid
Members of National Nurses United, the country’s largest union for RNs with about 590,000 nurses, talked to The 19th about their ongoing push for worker protections. Other health industry news is from Ascension, Aveanna Health Care, AdventHealth, and more.
Trump’s Drug Policy To Focus On Harsh Penalties, Addiction Treatment: Report
STAT reports that the administration is planning on disrupting the fentanyl supply chain in order to reduce overdose deaths. The drug policy document is not public yet. More news is on South African needle exchange programs affected by USAID cuts; the FTC case against PBMs; and more.
2 Louisiana Babies Die Of Pertussis As Cases Spike, Vaccination Rates Drop
Already this year, the U.S. has seen four times as many vaccine-preventable whooping cough cases than in the same period last year. Separately, New Jersey warns Newark Airport travelers about a measles exposure.
Judge Bars Billions In Public Health Funding Cuts To States — For Now
The federal judge’s ruling comes after $11 billion in funding was “abruptly and arbitrarily terminated,” triggering 23 states and the District of Columbia to sue the HHS. Meanwhile, the administration threatened Brown and Harvard with funding freezes unless they comply with demands. Also, more than $125 million in LGBTQ+ health funding has been blocked.
Days After Mass Layoffs, HHS Expects To Reinstate 20% Of Fired Employees
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says the agency is working to correct mistakes made during its restructuring rollout. Meanwhile, the FDA is trying to bring back fired employees to get the agency through this transitional period. Also, more insight into where job cuts were made.
Mehmet Oz Confirmed As Head Of Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Senate voted along party lines to confirm him. Also, as House Republicans look to cut spending, the GOP chair of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee pushes back on Medicaid cuts. Other news is about the potential fallout from any cuts.
First Edition: Friday, April 4, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Supreme Court Sides With FDA Over Flavored Vape Application Denials
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court dismissed the lower court’s ruling and concluded the FDA adhered to its standards when it assessed the applications. Also, the Supreme Court is allowing a truck driver to sue a CBD company after he tested positive for THC and was fired.
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 discuss these public health topics.
Nashville School Shooter Manipulated Mental Health Providers, Report Says
Audrey Hale, who died in the 2023 attack, was able to convince providers and family members that her “homicidal and suicidal ideations were well in her past,” the investigative case summary concludes. Meanwhile, efforts are underway in Florida’s Miami-Dade County and in Ohio to ban fluoride from public drinking water. More news comes from Indiana, North Carolina, and California.
Mass General Brigham Staff Rocked By Layoffs Of Chaplains, Abuse Counselors
Chaplains help families navigate the decision to take loved ones off life support and also comfort employees struggling with traumatic situations. Among other jobs cut were a clinical social worker who led violence intervention and prevention programs and a tobacco treatment specialist.
Senators Offer Up Budget Plan That Could Ease Some Health Care Cuts
Modern Healthcare reports that the Senate Budget Committee’s proposal includes the House’s recommendations that could lead to billions in health program cuts but also provides for greater flexibility. Plus: a proposal to offer nondairy milk options in school lunches.
Supreme Court Justices Differ On South Carolina’s Planned Parenthood Case
Planned Parenthood’s attorney, along with liberal justices, stated that “preventing the medical provider from suing over South Carolina’s actions could allow states to exclude providers from Medicaid for any reason at all,” Roll Call reported. Also, the CDC’s IVF unit was cut Tuesday; doctors take a deeper look at the cases of three patients who died because of abortion bans; and more.
Missed Deadline: Novavax’s Covid Shot Still Awaiting FDA’s Full Approval
The Food and Drug Administration had already indicated that it approved the vaccine, but new agency leaders are now requesting more data. Meanwhile, FDA staffers who oversaw expert panel meetings on vaccines have been dismissed. Other news is on measles and shingles.
Scientists, ACLU Sue NIH Over ‘Ideological Purge’ Of Research Grants
Also: How the push against diversity, equity, and inclusion affects transgender people and those with disabilities; the impact of Trump administration cuts on cancer research; and more.
CDC Tasked With Cutting $2.9B Of Its Spending On Contracts In Just Weeks
The Trump administration gave the agency until April 18 to reduce by 35% its spending on contracts. Also, more about the gutting of federal health agencies and how people are responding.
FDA Layoffs Will Likely Force Cutbacks In Food And Drug Inspections
CBS reports that roughly 170 workers were laid off from the FDA’s Office of Inspections and Investigations. In related FDA news, the pharmaceutical industry is worried about the cuts; layoffs include senior veterinarians working on bird flu; and more. Also, President Donald Trump’s tariff exemptions for pharma.
