Latest KFF Health News Stories
Oregon Breaks State Record Set In 1950 For Annual Cases Of Whooping Cough
“I worry people may not fully appreciate the risk pertussis poses,” said Dr. Howard Chiou, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division. Oregon has reported 1,475 cases so far in 2025, surpassing the previous record of 1,420.
Report: Top Health Insurers Not So Transparent On Negotiated Prices
An analysis shows that UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Cigna only partially disclosed price data, despite federal rules requiring full disclosure. The worry is that this could harm the nation’s employers when it comes time to choose workplace coverage. Plus: CMS’ new Medicare payment model focuses on digital health, chronic conditions, and prior authorizations.
Education Department Hands Out Mental Health Grants Worth $208M
This announcement comes after the Trump administration canceled more than 200 Biden-era mental health grants. The 65 new grant recipients are being encouraged to focus on “evidence-based student services,” with more than half of the grant money going to rural communities.
Viewpoints: Obamacare Dispute Exposes Political Dysfunction; CDC’s New Advisers Are Vaccine Skeptics
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
Trump Weighs Reclassifying Pot; Study Cites Scant Benefit In Medical Use
Cannabis is currently a Schedule 1 substance, on par with heroin and LSD. Reclassifying it as a Schedule III drug would put it in the same category as mild prescription painkillers. The change would ease barriers to research, The Washington Post reports.
Covid Vaccines Might Soon Come With Cautionary FDA ‘Black Box’ Label
Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, is said to be making plans to unveil by the end of this year a plan to include the most serious warnings on the inoculations. Moderna and Pfizer have maintained that their shots are safe and effective.
Senate Blocks Rival Health Care Bills; ACA Premiums Expected To Soar
Neither the Democrats’ proposal — extending Obamacare subsidies for three years — nor the Republicans’ plan — boosting health savings accounts — garnered enough votes to take the pressure off Americans facing higher health care costs. Lawmakers still have until next week to find a fix.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
Hundreds Are Quarantined Amid Measles Outbreak In South Carolina
As of yesterday, South Carolina reported 111 measles cases, with 27 of those reported in less than a week. State epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell attributes the rapid increase to holiday gatherings and a low vaccination rate. Also: news from California, Massachusetts, Florida, Indiana, and elsewhere.
Report: N.J. Nursing Home Owners Understaffed Facility, Filched Millions
“All indications are that what we have identified in this and in earlier reports is just the tip of the iceberg in the nursing home industry,” New Jersey Comptroller Kevin Walsh said after his office released the report Wednesday.
FDA Panel Urges Lifting Decades-Old Limits On Testosterone Medications
Urologists and experts on the committee say the drug labeling should be revised so that doctors may prescribe it for more uses. Testosterone replacement therapy has gained popularity on social media as a way for young men to increase muscle mass. Plus, Meta cuts some reproductive health accounts.
CDC: Suicide Rate Dropped Slightly In 2024, From Historically High Levels
AP reports that experts aren’t sure why the rate dropped, or whether that trend might continue. Other mental health news is on ChatGPT, social media, antidepressant tapering, and more.
More States Ban SNAP For Junk Food As Trump Admin Pushes MAHA Agenda
Hawaii, Missouri, North Dakota, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee have agreed to restrict SNAP recipients from purchasing certain sugary drinks and food. The total number of states with restrictions is now 18.
House Advances Biosecure Act, But Talks Go Awry Over AI In Health Care
A House hearing on technology and artificial intelligence almost immediately turned into a squabble over health care costs. Plus: The latest on the debate over Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Anti-Vaccine Group Founded By RFK Jr. Calls For Covid Shots To Be Pulled
Children’s Health Defense filed a citizen’s petition asking the FDA to deem Moderna’s and Pfizer’s covid vaccines “misbranded” and to revoke their licenses “due to a lack of compliance with FDA regulations.” Meanwhile, the FDA investigates adult deaths possibly linked to the covid vaccine.
First Edition: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
MERS, Which Is Usually Confined To Arabian Peninsula, Sickens 2 In France
The two people, who were listed in stable condition, had recently traveled to the region. As Axios explains, MERS is a respiratory illness caused by a zoonotic virus that can spread from camels to people through direct contact; human-to-human transmission is possible but uncommon.
