Latest KFF Health News Stories
Medicaid Is Safe, Johnson Assures, As House Whittles Budget Bill
As Republicans look to shave $2 trillion from a reconciliation bill, the House speaker noted savings are possible “if you eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse.” Other news from Capitol Hill is about telehealth rules, PBM restrictions, and more.
Physicians’ Efforts Pay Off As Judge Orders Health Websites Restored
The CDC, FDA, and HHS have until Tuesday to put back information about HIV, contraception, and other topics that affect “everyday Americans, and most acutely, underprivileged Americans, seeking healthcare,” U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled. A separate federal judge expanded an order blocking the Trump administration from cutting medical research funds.
First Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health issues.
Colorado Bill Defines Which Mental Health Care Is Medically Necessary
The bill would make it harder for insurance companies to deny coverage and require them to provide the criteria used to deny coverage based on medical necessity. Other news includes: suicide trends in the military; using Ozempic to curb addiction; and more.
Nevada Adult Infected With New Bird Flu Strain; Human Risk Still Low
The D1.1 version of the virus had sickened a Canadian teenager and led to the death of a Louisiana man, The Washington Post reports. In other news, North Carolina lawmakers tackle preauthorization delays; Florida has the lowest passing rate of students taking the nurse licensing exam; and more.
Bill Would Block Abortion In Montana, Despite Results Of November Election
Voters approved a state constitutional right to abortion, but the new “personhood” bill would confer rights to an embryo at conception, ruling out the use of in vitro fertilization or other methods without risking criminal penalties. Other news: a lawsuit to protect abortion patients’ information; abortion videos in health class; and more.
Mass General Brigham Laying Off Hundreds Of Employees
The Boston Globe reports that the layoff is the largest in the organization’s history and comes amid financial shortfalls and operational challenges. Also in industry and pharma news: the nurse strike in Oregon, Kaiser Permanente’s earnings boost, AI-prescribed drugs, and more.
Hegseth Halts Gender-Affirming Care For Trans Service Members
ABC News also reports that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed a pause on all new military promotions for those “with a history of gender dysphoria.” News outlets also cover thoughts from the highest-ranking trans elected official in the country, the effects of President Donald Trump’s executive orders on trans identity, and more.
Trump Administration Again Ordered To Unfreeze Federal Grants
A federal judge initially ruled Jan. 29 that the administration could not “pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate” money that Congress had allocated to the states to pay for Medicaid, low-income housing subsidies, and other essential services. Monday’s ruling orders the administration to comply. Separately, another federal judge has temporarily blocked attempts to limit research funding.
First Edition: Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies about what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please share your story at https://kffhealthnews.org/hhs-tips/, or contact reporter Arthur Allen directly by email or Signal at ArthurA@kff.org or 202-365-6116.
Second Person Living With Pig Kidney Is Off Dialysis And Out Of Hospital
A 66-year-old New Hampshire man received the kidney as part of a small pilot study at Mass General Brigham. United Therapeutics, another developer of gene-edited pig organs, just won FDA approval for the world’s first clinical trial. Meanwhile, studies suggest a link between sleeping pills and the risk of dementia.
To Prevent Suicides, Gun Bill Would Let Coloradans Join ‘Do Not Sell’ Registry
The legislation would allow people experiencing mental health struggles to temporarily restrict themselves from purchasing firearms. If passed, Colorado would become the fifth state to implement such a registry. Plus: News from Florida, Texas, New York, California, and Maine.
Mission Health’s Sale To HCA Brought No Lasting Improvements, Study Finds
An academic study of the merger hopes to give insight into how attorneys general can strengthen certificate-of-need laws and the importance of having more power over sales. Other industry news focuses on private equity; weight loss drugs and the consequences; and more.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
2 Million Baked Goods Recalled — Some Sold At Dunkin’ — Over Risk Of Listeria
Separately, the FDA has linked ready-to-eat mini pastries imported from Canada with a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 18 in the U.S. Other outbreak news is on mpox, measles, flu, covid, Legionella, bird flu and more.
Public Health Officials Scramble To Archive Data As Websites Are Scrubbed
Scientists and organizations are attempting to preserve data by saving it to Substack accounts and personal websites. They’re also trying to figure out a new system to share health data, The Hill said.
Medical Researchers Face Drastic Cuts After NIH Issues New Funding Policy
The policy change, effective today, limits institutions’ payments to 15% for indirect costs such as support staff, equipment, and overhead expenses. In other news, as the legality of Elon Musk’s role in the U.S. government is challenged in court, his team starts searching for evidence of fraud in Medicaid and Medicare logs.
First Edition: Monday, Feb. 10, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies about what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please share your story at https://kffhealthnews.org/hhs-tips/, or contact reporter Arthur Allen directly by email or Signal at ArthurA@kff.org or 202-365-6116.
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 CRISPR, MDMA therapy, dementia, gun violence, climate change, and more
