Latest KFF Health News Stories
This Year’s Projected Honeybee Losses Could Devastate Farmers, Food Supply
Farmers depend on bee colonies to pollinate their crops, such as apple trees. Other health and wellness news is on flu, bird flu, sleep, junk food, and more.
Editorial writers dissect these public health issues.
Colorado Triumphs In Drug Affordability Case
In the case filed by Amgen last year, U.S. District Court Judge Nina Wang ruled that a Colorado state board can proceed with plans to limit the costs for medications. This is the first court decision allowing a state control over prescription drug costs, Stat reported. Other states making news include Minnesota, Montana, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Missouri.
Health Systems Eye Microhospitals In Effort To Increase Access At Lower Cost
Modern Healthcare reports that many health systems, including Baylor Scott & White, Intermountain Health, and CommonSpirit Health, have invested in microhospitals, which tend to fall somewhere between urgent care centers and full-size traditional hospitals in terms of services. Other health industry news is on Solventum, Corewell Health, nonprofit hospital margins, and more.
CDC Withholds Measles Risk Analysis, Makes Vaccine A ‘Personal Choice’
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appears to be shifting its message from promoting vaccines to one that is less certain about its benefits, ProPublica reports. Meanwhile, the Texas outbreak has now afflicted 400 people as more counties report cases.
Fox News Reporter Nominated To Lead Office Of National Drug Control Policy
Sara Carter, who is no longer listed on the network’s website, has worked on border issues in her career as a journalist but has never worked in government nor dealt with drug policy, public health, or law enforcement, Stat reports.
Biotech Industry Wary After Top FDA Vaccine Official Forced To Resign
In a statement Saturday, John Crowley of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) said the loss of Dr. Peter Marks would “erode scientific standards,” The Guardian reported. In his resignation letter, Marks wrote that “misinformation and lies” from HHS led him to tender his resignation.
First Edition: Monday, March 31, 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 sludge, covid, nutrition, sneezing, beard transplants, and more.
The Nearly Eradicated Murine Typhus Is Making A Comeback, CDC Says
Most cases of the flea-borne disease are cropping up in Texas and California, and it may be due to cat fleas finding a new host — possums. Other outbreak news includes new genetic identifiers for measles cases; a rise in yellow fever cases in the Americas; and more.
New Utah Law Aims To Rein In Unqualified Life Coaches
Life coaching requires no mental health education, and it sometimes attracts former therapists who have lost their license to practice, reports ProPublica. Other states making news are New York, Iowa, California, and North Carolina.
Opinion writers examine the following public health issues.
Hospital Costs Predicted To Rise 15% Due To Tariffs
The survey predicted the increase would happen within the next six months. Other industry news is on health care access in rural areas; Pfizer’s alleged attempt to avoid taxes; and more.
Anti-Abortion Groups Press Congress To Defund Planned Parenthood
The women’s health organization counters that stripping away funding would hurt people in need of care other than abortion, which accounts for less than 5% of its services. Meanwhile, Kentucky and Texas attempt to clarify when it’s OK for doctors to perform abortions.
GOP Reportedly Working On Tax Plan That Scales Back Medicaid Cuts
Some Senate Republicans are worried about the political backlash, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, a new analysis has found that the proposed cuts would lead to 1 million job losses.
Crisis Line Call-Takers Overwhelmed By Crush Of Veterans’ Calls, Trump Cuts
The Department of Veterans Affairs hotline has been a beacon of hope in troubling moments for veterans. As it fields more calls about benefits and other services, operators themselves are coping with “a very hostile, very anxiety-producing work environment.”
Stunned HHS Employees Reel From Massive Job Cuts
The announcement that as many as 10,000 people will lose their jobs came as a shock to staff, some finding out through news reports. Including those who have already been cut with early retirement and buyouts, the total will reach 20,000 jobs lost, according to Politico.
First Edition: Friday, March 28, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Artificial Sweetener Sucralose May Actually Increase Feelings Of Hunger
The findings come from a small study published Wednesday in the journal Nature Metabolism. Other public health news is on animal-to-human organ transplants; the first medicine to treat people with Prader-Willi syndrome; “tick cement;” and more.
South Korean Investigation Reveals Widespread Adoption Fraud
South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its findings on more than 200,000 adoptees, some of whom were stolen at birth and adopted for-profit internationally, including in the United States, The Washington Post reported. Other reproductive news is from Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and New Hampshire.
