Latest KFF Health News Stories
Florida Demands Personal Information In Drug Prescription Data Probe
Data requested by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in January includes names of patients, dates of birth, and names of doctors, sparking concerns about government overreach and patient privacy. Other news comes from South Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and California.
Aspirin Appears To Stop Some Cancers From Metastasizing, Researchers Find
A study on mice with melanoma found that aspirin lowered TXA2 levels, which freed up T cells and allowed them to fight cancer more effectively. However, the lead scientist stressed that long-term aspirin use is associated with many health risks and urged patients to discuss it with their doctors.
Over 1,000 Acute Care Hospitals To Split $700 Million In Opioid Settlement
Drug manufacturers and distributors were accused of misrepresenting prescription opioids, improperly handling some orders, or filling scripts for dubious medical purposes. Per the settlement, they deny any wrongdoing. In other news, Americans borrowed about $74 billion last year to pay for health care.
Staff Cuts And ‘Major Changes’ Coming To VA; Funding Cuts Blocked At NIH
Veterans Affairs plans to slash about 80,000 jobs. Secretary Douglas Collins said in a video on social media that the cuts would not reduce health care or benefits for veterans or their beneficiaries. Even so, Collins said, vets should “get used to it now,” The Washington Post reported.
NIH Nominee Sidesteps Questions Over Vaccines, Research, Funding Cuts
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said during his confirmation hearing that he supports childhood vaccinations but that more research is needed to convince parents shots won’t cause autism. He declined to weigh in on President Donald Trump’s efforts to block funding for biomedical research.
GOP Can’t Attain Budget Goal Without Cuts To Medicaid, Medicare, Or CHIP
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released an analysis Wednesday. Other coverage from Capitol Hill and the White House is on high-deductible health plans, price transparency, Medicare Advantage lawsuits, and more.
First Edition: Thursday, March 6, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Slow-Walking Flu Preparedness Isn’t Smart; Cancer Vaccine Needs Continued Research
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Georgia Hides New Maternal Mortality Committee Members’ Identities
The Department of Public Health, which previously disclosed that information, “determined that the broad confidentiality protections directed toward the committee should be extended to the identities of the committee members.” Other news comes from Oregon, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania.
Supreme Court Backs Away From Case Over Hacked Health Care Data
At question was whether a Federally Qualified Health Center is immune from liability over a former patient’s stolen personally identifying information, Fierce Healthcare explains. Plus: news on UnitedHealth, CVS, Wellvana, Monogram Health, Ensign Group, the HIMSS conference, and more.
Sperm Motility Identified As A Factor In Life Expectancy For Men
Men with a higher number of strong swimmers tend to live almost three years longer than those with lower numbers, researchers find. Meanwhile, when it comes to menopause, female patients reportedly aren’t getting the information they need.
CMS Rescinds Waivers For CHIP Programs, ‘Section 1115’ Medicaid
The agency said Tuesday it will consider states’ applications on a case-by-case basis, Modern Healthcare reported. The programs pay for high-risk services such as help for people transitioning from institutional care or temporary housing and meals for people who become homeless.
North America Is On Track To Lose Measles Elimination Status
The U.S. gained that status in 2000, after both North and South America were declared measles-free in 2016, CBS News reported. Meanwhile, as the measles outbreak spreads to nine states, HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touts alternative treatments such as vitamin A and cod liver oil.
With A Day’s Notice, Some Fired CDC Staff Are Asked To Return To Work
Workers were notified Tuesday that their terminations had been rescinded, though emails offered no guarantee that they wouldn’t be laid off again. Also Tuesday, a federal judge has extended a block on halting funding for gender-affirming care while a lawsuit makes its way through the courts.
Justice Department Drops Biden-Era Challenge to Idaho Abortion Ban
The yearslong legal battle sought to protect women whose pregnancies pose serious health risks, granting them the right to an abortion in a medical emergency. Idaho has a near-total ban on abortions. More abortion news comes from South Carolina, Alabama, Wyoming, and Missouri.
Health Care Likely To Get Burned By Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, China
Trade groups are urging the administration to consider the impact on patient care and are pushing for exemptions to the tariffs. Also in the news: Pfizer might move production to the U.S. to combat pharmaceutical tariffs.
First Edition: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
Today’s stories are on the “Man with the Golden Arm”; a new bird flu detector; a stethoscope that detects heart failure early; concussion management; and more.
Ga. Senate Passes 2 Bills Restricting Gender Care For Minors, Prisoners
The measures advanced with some support from Democrats, AP reports. Meanwhile, a bill to restrict transgender athletes from playing in women’s and girls’ sports failed to advance in the U.S. Senate. Other news is from Florida, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Hawaii, and California.
