Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

After Second Loss In Court, Humana’s Contested MA Star Rating Will Stick

Morning Briefing

Humana had disputed its 2025 Medicare Advantage rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which gave it a 3.5 out of five. A federal court ruled Tuesday that CMS doesn’t have to recalculate it.

Colorado School Shooting Victim Leaves Hospital After Critical Injuries

Morning Briefing

Michael Silverstone, an Evergreen High student, was shot in the head and chest on Sept. 10, and has been released after five weeks in the hospital. The other student critically injured in the shooting has been released and is recovering. Also in the news: Minnesota, California, New York, and more.

FDA Cracks Down On Unapproved Weight Loss Drug Popular Online

Morning Briefing

The compounded retatrutide, developed by Eli Lilly but still in the testing phase, has become popular among fitness influencers on social media. The FDA has sent warning letters to six online companies. Also: funding for specialty drugs; the effectiveness of the recombinant shingles vaccine; and more.

Coal Miners Plead For Trump To Make Good On Black Lung Protections

Morning Briefing

A Biden-era rule would have lessened exposure limits for miners to airborne silica, but the Trump administration has frozen the rule, now citing the federal government shutdown as a reason. Plus, the confusion over whom to believe about autism, the global food aid crisis, and more.

North Carolina Initiative Eliminates $6.5B In Medical Debt For Residents

Morning Briefing

In a first-of-its-kind effort, North Carolina officials have helped to erase medical debt for more than 2.5 million residents through a program that offered hospitals more Medicaid funds in exchange for financial relief for low- and middle-income patients.

AstraZeneca Agrees To Lower Drug Prices For Three-Year Tariff Reprieve

Morning Briefing

AstraZeneca will sell its drugs to Medicaid at prices comparable to what some European countries pay. But in many cases, experts say, those prices are already similar, The New York Times reports. Plus, Novo Nordisk’s new manufacturing plant in Indiana fails to meet FDA standards.

Kaiser Criticizes 5-Day Strike As Money Grab. Unions Say It’s Not That Simple.

Morning Briefing

The historic walkout, which begins today, will include tens of thousands of health care workers and nurses. Kaiser’s latest proposal on the table would lift wages 21.5% over four years but remains shy of the 25% the unions are seeking. Union leaders say wages are only part of the story, citing unsafe staffing, scheduling pressures, and burnout.

Some Pregnant Women Slam ‘Fearmongering’ Over Tylenol

Morning Briefing

Several expectant moms who spoke to The Wall Street Journal said they are confident that using Tylenol is safe during pregnancy. However, the Trump administration’s push against it has now left some with “that little question mark.”

Trump Fires Health Workers, Brings Back Some, As Shutdown Grows Longer

Morning Briefing

Although the CDC’s “disease detectives” have been reinstated, those who work on mental illness and addiction, and in biodefense, have been let go. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson, who refuses to negotiate unless Democrats capitulate, said, “We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history.”

In Another Setback For Rural Health, Montana Hospital Halts Maternity Care

Morning Briefing

The Family Maternity Center at Providence St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Montana, will close today. There is only one other hospital in the city. Plus: A judge upholds North Dakota’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors.