Latest KFF Health News Stories
As Pollution Rises, Non-Smokers Might Not Be Able To Dodge Lung Cancer
A new analysis shows high levels of fine-particulate air pollution causes more cancer mutations. A quarter of all lung cancer cases worldwide are among people who never smoked. Meanwhile, websites for U.S. national climate assessments have disappeared. The White House says NASA will now house the information, but reports as late as Tuesday say it was not available on their site.
Shriners Children’s Research Institute Plans $153 Million Facility In Atlanta
The facility should be operational within a year to 18 months, according to the organization. Other industry news is on business pressures facing Centene, the uncertainty of the ACA market, the use of MyChart to prevent no-shows, and more.
DOJ May Strip Citizenship From Those Who Dupe Medicaid, Medicare
A legal expert notes the U.S. denaturalization policy is legit but says “its use has historically been rare and reserved for extreme cases — such as war crimes or national security threats.” Plus, news about immigrant detention centers, including the “Alligator Alcatraz” set to receive occupants.
CDC Recommends RSV Vaccine For High-Risk People 50 And Older
The agency’s website indicates HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. adopted the previous advisory panel’s suggestion to expand access on June 25. AP also reports on FDA vaccine chief Vinay Prasad’s role in a decision to restrict covid shots.
‘Backdoor Ban’ In Megabill Will Likely Cripple Abortion Access In Blue States
Planned Parenthood stands to lose $700 million in federal funding tied to Medicaid. Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s President and CEO, Alexis McGill Johnson, warned Wednesday that nearly 200 health centers could close. The legislation affects blue states more severely because those states have larger numbers of people on Medicaid, The Guardian reported.
Speaking For Hours, Jeffries Slams ‘Big Ugly Bill’ That Will Decimate Medicaid
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the bill “immoral” and a “disgusting abomination.” About 11 million people would lose Medicaid coverage, estimates show. The legislation also calls for cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
First Edition: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: The First Edition will not be published Friday or Monday in observance of July Fourth. Look for it again in your inbox on Tuesday, July 8.
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
Scientists Find Microplastics In Reproductive Fluids Of Men, Women
The presence of microplastics in semen and follicular fluid were not entirely unexpected. But the lead research author added: “What did surprise us, however, is how widespread it is. This is not an isolated finding — it appears to be quite common.” Plus: hormone therapy and breast cancer; antibiotic resistance in cow manure; and more.
Wyoming Confirms Its First Measles Case In 15 Years
The patient is an unvaccinated child. Other states making news: New Mexico, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and elsewhere.
UnitedHealthcare Reaches Agreement With Cancer Center Over Coverage
The multi-year agreement announced Tuesday between UnitedHealthcare and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center will let some 19,000 UnitedHealthcare and Oxford health plan members remain in-network for their cancer care. Also in the news: Ascension Health, Sharp HealthCare, Mass General Brigham, and more.
Social Security ‘Resurrects’ Immigrants From Death List; Benefits Still Blocked
They’ll instead be flagged as “unverified.” An unnamed administration official told The New York Times that it would achieve the same goal by alerting third parties that they may not be eligible for services. Also, 20 states have sued over the administration’s use of immigrants’ Medicaid data.
Federal Judge Pauses RFK Jr.’s Mass Firings, Calling Them Unlawful
Tuesday’s order blocked the layoffs and organizational changes at HHS. Judge Melissa DuBose of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island said the changes far exceeded Kennedy’s authority. Andrew Nixon, RFK Jr.’s spokesperson, said they are considering next steps.
Senate Megabill That Would Erode Social Safety Net Now Heads To House
Hospital associations on Tuesday slammed the legislation, which would devastate millions of sick or poor Americans. The bill passed 51-50 on a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance after three Republicans joined Democrats in opposing it.
First Edition: Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Senate Passes Trump’s Megabill With Medicaid Cuts, Other Health Provisions
The massive tax and immigration bill passed the Senate Tuesday by a 51-50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tiebreaker. The legislation, which must go back to the House, offsets some of the new spending with measures that aim to cut back on Medicaid and food assistance for the poor.
Men’s Mental Health Affected By Financial, Societal Pressures: Report
The continuance of defining manhood as being a provider, especially amidst financial uncertainties, means men are 16.3 times more likely to contemplate suicide, researchers have found.
California Changes Environmental Law That Made It Harder To Help Homeless
Former California Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the landmark California Environmental Quality Act into law in 1970 in an effort to protect the state from pollution and sprawl. But it also made it more difficult to build housing, adding to the state’s pervasive homelessness problem.
Joint Commission Overhauls Its Accreditation Process For Hospitals
The group, which is the accrediting organization for more than 80% of U.S. hospitals and health systems, says the new rules will “dramatically” streamline and simplify the process. Also in the news: CMS proposes a Medicare pay cut for home health companies.
Supreme Court Orders Judges To Reexamine Gender-Affirming Care
On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed lower court rulings that benefited transgender Americans and are now requiring those lower courts to look into those cases again. The cases under review include state-sponsored health care coverage for gender-affirming care and the changing of birth certificates.
