Latest KFF Health News Stories
Supreme Court Gives The Go-Ahead To Fire Federal Workers
A court-ordered pause on mass layoffs left workers at federal agencies in limbo. On Tuesday, that pause was lifted. In other news: Growth in mental health careers faces uncertainty from budget cuts; Boston University, a leading research facility, announces major budget cuts and layoffs; and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Centene Withdraws Earnings Forecast, Triggering Possible Credit Downgrade
S&P Global Ratings is considering whether to reclassify Centene Corp.’s credit ratings to junk, which would strongly impact its borrowing power. Centene, the top seller of ACA health plans, is suffering from financial uncertainty due to federal crackdowns on Affordable Care Act enrollments.
CDC Curtails Bird Flu Updates, Making It Harder To Spot State Outbreaks
The U.S. ended its emergency designation for bird flu last week, a person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg. Starting this week, bird flu stats will be updated monthly and won’t include infection rates for animals. “We are letting our guard down,” said one infectious-disease expert.
Study Shows US Kids’ Physical, Mental Health Deteriorated Over Past 17 Years
The study, published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed a generalized decline in kids’ health, with more obesity, chronic diseases, and mental health problems like depression. Plus: A link between glucose and Alzheimer’s.
Medicaid Funding Cuts For Planned Parenthood Put On Hold — For Now
A provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law Friday, imposes a one-year ban on state Medicaid payments to health care nonprofits that received more than $800,000 in federal funding in 2023 and also offer abortions. A judge on Monday halted cuts to Planned Parenthood; the provision can still be enforced against other providers.
Medical Groups Sue To Restore Access To Covid Jabs For Kids, Pregnant People
The medical organizations contend Health and Human Services and its chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are trying to undermine vaccines by limiting access. In other vaccine news: Nervous parents are asking about an accelerated vaccine schedule; a look at thimerosal in vaccines; and more.
Opinion writers dissect these public health issues.
HHS’ Order To Remove Health Websites Was Illegal, Judge Rules
U.S. District Judge John Bates vacated directives from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Personnel and Management. However, he denied a broader request to prevent HHS from blocking references to gender. The government is “free to say what it wants,” he said, “including about ‘gender ideology.’ But … it must abide by the bounds of authority and the procedures that Congress has prescribed.”
First Edition: Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump Signs Megabill Into Law, Setting Up Historic Medicaid Cuts
The $4.5 trillion tax and immigration bill cleared the House Thursday after a chaotic overnight and morning in Congress. The legislation contains $1.2 trillion in cutbacks to Medicaid and food stamps. The CBO forecasts that 11.8 million Americans would become uninsured by 2034 under the bill’s provisions. Check back with KFF Health News for more coverage of this breaking news.
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 terminal cancer, NIH cuts, PFAS, aging, the Slim-Fast founder, and more. Happy July Fourth weekend!
Iowa Has Launched Its New And Improved Behavioral Health Program
The overhaul, which was signed into law by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds in May 2024, replaces the old system with a more centralized safety net system. Other states in the news include Florida, California, and Texas.
Medtech Companies Expand US Production To Meet Increased Demand
These expansions include millions of dollars to increase domestic manufacturing by adding new facilities and increasing capacity at existing facilities. In other news: Regeneron gets FDA green light on blood cancer drug; FDA issues alert about Abiomed blood pump controller; and more.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Viewpoints: Planned Parenthood Decision Has Far-Reaching Effects; Defunding Gavi Will Harm Children
Opinion writers dissect these public health topics.
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.
