Latest KFF Health News Stories
Drugmakers Must Redo Research After FDA Finds Problems With Contractor
The FDA found “objectionable conditions” during a 2023 inspection of the Raptim Research facility in Nava Mumbai, India. An unspecified number of companies are affected. Raptim said on its website that the FDA recently inspected an unnamed facility and didn’t find problems; it’s unclear when that inspection occurred.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Second Texas Child Dies Of Measles As Infections Continue To Surge
The 8-year-old girl was not vaccinated against the highly contagious virus. Three days after the girl’s death — and after the nation’s tally of cases topped 600 — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted on X: “The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine.”
Administration Rejects Medicaid, Medicare Plan To Cover Obesity Drugs
The Biden-era plan, scrapped Friday, would have cost the federal government billions of dollars and expanded access to millions of Americans. Meanwhile, states are struggling with the rising cost of GLP-1 drugs.
Medicare Has Enough In Trust Fund To Last An Extra 17 Years, CBO Reports
Policy experts extended the program’s depletion date to 2052 after determining that enrollees aren’t seeking hospital care as often as they used to, leading to savings in the main trust fund. Medicare’s trustees will release their own findings this spring.
NIH Will See Second Wave Of Layoffs As Part Of HHS Restructuring
Some of the layoffs will be to compensate for those rehired after the first wave. Meanwhile, Politico reports on how HHS had no intention of rehiring 20% of the departments’ fired employees, as previously reported. Other disruptions caused by the cuts include: 9/11 firefighter programs, call centers that provide essential safety information, and more.
First Edition: Monday, April 7, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers analyze these public health issues.
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 autism, miscarriage, gun violence, ALS, and more.
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.
