Latest KFF Health News Stories
Pennsylvania Attorney General Keeps Crozer Health System Open For Now
Along with Crozer’s parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings, an agreement was reached to keep the health system open as they work to find a “long-term solution.” Also in the news: Mission Hospital, Cano Health, VillageMD, and more.
In Blow To Some Republicans, Funding Bill Allows For Medicare Doc Pay Cuts
Politico reports that a measure that was skipped in the funding bill would have prevented further cuts to the salaries of doctors providing Medicare services. Also in the news: a call for changes in the Medicare enrollment system; the impact of potential Medicaid cuts on rural hospitals; and more.
HHS Employees Receive Buyout Offer As Agency Looks To Shrink Workforce
Workers who seek voluntary separation could receive up to $25,000. The 80,000 federal workers extended the offer include folks from the CDC, the FDA, and the NIH. They have until Friday to decide. More news is on funding cuts, VA staff cuts, and more.
RFK Jr. Plans Talks With Heads Of Major Food Companies
The discussions, scheduled for today, will be the first sit-down meeting between the HHS chief and the companies he has claimed are harming Americans, Politico reports. Also making news: junk food removal from SNAP could have unintended consequences; MAHA targets school lunches; and more.
Despite Being Debunked, CDC Will Reinvestigate Vaccine, Autism Link
Under the direction of HHS head Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC will reinvestigate vaccine data. In other news, the CDC announced a new tool to identify conflicts of interest; GOP lawmakers introduce legislation to ban mRNA vaccines; and the latest on the measles outbreak.
First Edition: Monday, March 10, 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 funding cuts, Alzheimer’s drugs, chronic disease, and more.
New Hampshire Advances Plan To Nix Group That Buys Childhood Vaccines
The New Hampshire Vaccine Association served as a universal buying program, combining money from all insurers in the state to get a 30% discount on vaccines. Other news comes out of Washington, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and New York.
Shutdown Looms Over Pennsylvania’s Crozer Health System
The system was removed from its parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings, and placed into receivership last month, but the term is now up. In other news, industry leaders push for obesity care coverage; lawmakers push for better patient data protection; and more.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Idaho House Swiftly Passes Medicaid Work Requirement Bill
The bill was debated Thursday for less than 10 minutes, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. Every Republican voted yes, and every Democrat voted no. The bill now heads to the state Senate for a hearing. In other news: Pennsylvania officials say weight loss drugs might lead to more than $1 billion in new Medicaid costs this year.
CMS Warns It May Soon Update Policies To Prevent ‘Mutilation’ Of Trans Kids
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services sent a special alert to hospitals across the country Wednesday, Fierce Healthcare reported. Plus: California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, makes waves for speaking out against trans athletes in women’s sports.
Unvaccinated New Mexico Resident Infected With Measles Has Died
Officials have not confirmed measles as the cause of death. All cases of measles in New Mexico involve people who either aren’t vaccinated or whose vaccine status is not known. Meanwhile, some worry that HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is not taking the outbreak seriously.
FDA Nominee Makary Signals Abortion Pills And Policy Will Get Another Look
During a hearing before the Senate health committee, the Johns Hopkins University surgeon also fielded questions about vaccines, agency layoffs, food additives, and vapes. Also, The Washington Post has published FDA food director Jim Jones’ resignation letter.
Arizona’s Abortion Ban Is Struck Down And Abortion Rights Enshrined
With the passage of Prop. 139 and a Maricopa County Superior Court judge’s ruling, the abortion ban is over “permanently and forever,” reports AZ Mirror. Also, late-stage pregnancy loss is more common in the south; 19% of men surveyed suffer from ED two years after covid infection; and more.
Private Equity Firm Sycamore Partners Snaps Up Strained Walgreens For $10B
As part of the deal, which will be completed later this year, the Chicago-based pharmacy chain will sell its VillageMD unit. Other pharmaceutical news is about Cost Plus Drug Co., Eli Lilly, and more.
First Edition: Friday, March 7, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Is Trump’s Nominee To Lead The FDA, Dr. Marty Makary, Up To The Job?
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Study Suggests Bacterial Vaginosis, Or BV, Is Actually An STD
The infection has long been treated as a women’s issue, but a clinical trial in Australia showed that treating both partners eliminated reinfection, CNN reports. In other women’s health news, brain changes during pregnancy may be linked to PPD; menopause hormone therapy may be tied to Alzheimer’s; and more.
