Latest KFF Health News Stories
Novo Nordisk Makes Deal With WeightWatchers For Wegovy
Days after the breakdown of the partnership with telehealth company Hims & Hers, Novo Nordisk has announced a new deal with WeightWatchers. Also in the news: UnitedHealth, EasterSealsNH, Carlsmed, and more.
New Magnetic Scoliosis Treatment Gives Kids A Less-Traumatic Remedy
The “magic rods” are surgically implanted and can be slowly lengthened with internal and external magnets. It is a less invasive treatment than traditional methods involving body casts and surgeries. Also: Mpox vaccine trials; animal antibiotics’ link to resistance in humans; and more.
Planned Parenthood Can Be Excluded From Medicaid, Supreme Court Rules
The ruling means that under federal law, health care providers or patients cannot sue if a state violates a provision guaranteeing Medicaid patients can visit their preferred provider. Other news is on the handling of newborns’ extra blood samples; a class action lawsuit against the EPA; and more.
Panel Advises Against Scantly Used Thimerosal In Flu Vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also agreed to add Merck’s RSV shot Enflonsia to the government’s list of recommended childhood immunizations. Separately, news outlets take a closer look at ACIP.
Viewpoints: Draconian Abortion Ban Led To Adriana Smith Tragedy; Monarez May Disrupt Anti-Vax Agenda
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
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 crash test dummies, organ transplants, wellness retreats, and more.
GOP Scrambling After Senate Ruling On Medicaid Provision Of Tax Bill
Republicans are going back to the drawing board after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that Medicaid cuts proposed in President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spend bill are ineligible for a majority vote. Other administration news from the health agencies makes the day’s headlines.
First Edition: Friday, June 27, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Study Suggests Disposable Vapes Have More Toxic Metals Than Cigarettes
A study by UC Davis found that some disposable e-cigarettes emit in a single day the same amount of lead as 20 packs of conventional cigarettes. More news is on nitrates in water linked to preterm births; heart attack deaths; and a cancer-fighting compound.
New York Judge Fired For Opposing Trump’s Order On Gender Identity
Administrative Judge Karen Ortiz, who worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, was let go a month after opposing an executive order decreeing male and female as two “immutable” sexes. Other states making news: Tennessee, California, North Carolina, Oregon, and Missouri.
Health Care Spending To Top One-Fifth Of GDP By 2033, CMS Report Predicts
National health expenditures will increase 5.8% a year on average from 2024 to 2033, at which point $8.6 trillion will be spent on health care, Modern Healthcare reports. More news is on: layoffs at UCSF Health; CVS’ overbilling ruling; and more.
Protesters In Wheelchairs Zip-Tied As Lawmakers Squabble Over Medicaid
The demonstrators, 34 of whom were arrested, oppose cuts to Medicaid and other programs that senators are considering. Congress is still hashing out health care-related provisions in the megabill, including a rural hospital relief fund, provider taxes, the effects of payments to states, and more.
CDC Nominee Susan Monarez Skirts Questions On RFK Jr. During Hearing
In Wednesday’s confirmation hearing, Monarez told members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that she “values vaccines, public health interventions, and rigorous scientific evidence.” In other news: the NIH has stopped grant terminations.
Viewpoints: The Danger Of Medicaid Cuts May Be Overblown; Ending Support For LGBTQ+ Youth Is Cruel
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
ACIP Will Revisit Vaccine Schedule, Give HepB And MMR Another Look
The advisory panel has created three work groups to study shots that have already undergone rigorous scientific study, medical experts say. The panel today may discuss an RSV jab for infants.
First Edition: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers weigh in on these topics and others.
USDA Giving States $12M To Fight CWD In Animals, Prevent Spillover To People
The funds will be used to increase surveillance and testing for the fatal prion disease that affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose. There has not been a documented human infection of chronic wasting disease. Plus: More cases of avian flu in mammals and wild birds.
Texas Led Nation In 2024 For Women Seeking Out-Of-State Abortions
A Guttmacher Institute study found that roughly 20% of the more than 150,000 people who traveled for abortion care lived in Texas, where abortions are illegal after six weeks. Other states in the news include California, North Carolina, and Mississippi.
Oz Signals Administration Looking To End Complicated Drug Rebate System
In a comment made Tuesday, CMS chief Mehmet Oz pushed for the elimination of the payments drugmakers send to pharmacy benefit managers after prescriptions are filled. Other industry news is about a sutureless peripheral nerve repair device, medical device recalls, and more.
