Latest KFF Health News Stories
Trans Troops Forced Out Of Air Force After 15-18 Years Won’t Get Benefits
The move means that transgender service members will now have to take a lump-sum separation payment offered to junior troops or be removed from service, AP reported. Other news is about VA collective bargaining, maternal and mental health programs cuts, and more.
Senators Want UnitedHealth Group’s Records On Nursing Home Transfers
Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Elizabeth Warren have asked to see internal company documents after a Guardian investigation alleged that the company partnered with nursing homes across the country to cut back on residents’ hospital transfers in an effort to reduce expenses.
First Edition: Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Three Studies Show Far-Reaching Health Effects Of Maui, LA Wildfires
The studies looked at the impact of the 2023 wildfires in Maui and the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles. In Maui, 1 in 5 people suffered lung damage and up to half had symptoms of depression. In Los Angeles, there were more than 400 additional deaths due to interruptions to health care and other factors. Other news comes from Illinois, Missouri, Texas, Iowa, and elsewhere.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Opinion writers examine these public health issues.
Doctors Urged To Run For Congress Amid Dems’ Outrage Over Health Cuts
Historically, most physicians serving in Congress have been Republican. Now, a Democrat-affiliated PAC known as 314 Action aims to change that by electing at least 100 health professionals to Congress and other offices by 2030. Plus: a look at wait times in ERs, hospital closures, and more.
Louisiana Set To Lose Last Two Planned Parenthood Clinics
The clinics, scheduled to close Sept. 30, provided medical care for more than 10,000 patients last year. In other reproductive news: Hey Jane expands its reproductive telehealth care to Michigan; the Tennessee attorney general’s office demands abortion records from medical centers; and more.
HHS Has ‘Suppressed’ Data From New Dietary Guidelines, Researchers Claim
Every five years, members of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) offer recommendations for how the Health and Human Services Department and the USDA should update dietary guidelines such as the food pyramid or MyPlate. The researchers also have concerns about how quickly the new guidelines are being pushed through.
Got Obamacare? Get Ready To Start Paying A Lot More For Your Premiums
The rates could change before being finalized late this summer. But on average, ACA marketplace insurers are raising premiums by about 20% in 2026, KFF found. (Disclosure: KFF Health News is one of the three major operating programs at KFF, together with policy analysis and polling.)
Lithium Might Be Key To Curing Alzheimer’s, Harvard Study Finds
Scientists have found that lithium orotate — which is different from the kind of lithium typically used to treat mental health conditions — not only stopped the brain disease in mice but also reversed it. Researchers still must test this theory on humans, but the Trump administration’s freeze on research funding “will significantly limit our progress,” said Dr. Bruce Yankner, the team’s senior author.
First Edition: Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Warmer, Humid Climate Helps Propel Rise In Tick Bites, Lyme, Experts Say
The human imprint on landscapes also impacts where ticks are found, CNN reports. Other public health news is on obesity-related cancer deaths, chronic pain, child abuse, and more.
Wegovy Sales Are Soaring Despite Generic Copycat Drugs
Even though Novo Nordisk warned that copycat versions of its obesity and diabetes drugs would hurt sales in the U.S., second-quarter sales saw a 67% rise year on year. More news covers telehealth company eMed’s new CEO; Ascension’s new research and development institute; and more.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Death Toll Rises In Harlem Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak
Three people have died and nearly 70 have been sickened, the New York City Health Department said Tuesday. Residents are being advised to monitor for symptoms and seek treatment if needed. Other states making news: Arizona, Tennessee, Nevada, Missouri, and California.
CDC Issues Travel Advisory For China Following Chikungunya Virus Outbreak
The virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, has sickened 7,000 people in Guangdong province since June. China has revived many covid-era rules to combat the outbreak. Also in the news, Zika virus, covid, influenza, and more.
Trump Floats 250% Pharma Tariffs
“We want pharmaceuticals made in our country,” President Trump said. Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office says the administration violated the law when it withheld NIH funding approved by Congress. Also: overdose prevention funding, Medicaid cuts, nuclear threats, and more.
RFK Jr. Cuts $500M In mRNA Contracts, Eliciting Horror Among Experts
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says mRNA vaccines “fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections.” An expert says the move to end 22 grants for vaccine development is a “self‑inflicted vulnerability” because it compromises the country’s ability to respond quickly to infectious disease threats. Plus, six more states now have food stamp restrictions.
First Edition: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
