Latest KFF Health News Stories
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
Today’s stories are on the “Man with the Golden Arm”; a new bird flu detector; a stethoscope that detects heart failure early; concussion management; and more.
Ga. Senate Passes 2 Bills Restricting Gender Care For Minors, Prisoners
The measures advanced with some support from Democrats, AP reports. Meanwhile, a bill to restrict transgender athletes from playing in women’s and girls’ sports failed to advance in the U.S. Senate. Other news is from Florida, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Hawaii, and California.
Carcinogens, Lead Found In Synthetic Hair Popular Among Black Women
Consumer Reports published its study findings related to products used in braids, extensions, and other hairstyles. Other news from the intersection of race and health is on the barriers to care faced by Black pediatric patients, high maternity costs faced by Black and Hispanic patients, and more.
Sutter Health Settles Lawsuit Alleging System Sought Monopoly In California
Northern California residents and businesses accused Sutter of leveraging all-or-nothing contracts to drive up costs. Additional news is about Walgreens, UnitedHealth Group, Mayo Clinic, the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference, and more.
Top HHS Spokesperson Thomas Corry Resigns Over Measles Dispute
Corry handed in his resignation after just two weeks on the job as the assistant secretary for public affairs, Politico reported. Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren takes RFK Jr. to task regarding his vaccine policies.
Feds Might Withdraw Lawsuit Over Louisiana Plant’s Toxic Emissions
The Biden administration sued Japanese firm Denka in 2023 after the EPA determined the plant was releasing unsafe levels of chloroprene. Also: A look at President Donald Trump’s speech tonight to Congress, Trump’s NIH and FDA nominees, and the media’s exclusion from a health conference.
HHS Opens Up Early Retirement For Employees Amid Agency Downsizing
Employees have 10 days to decide whether to take the voluntary early retirement. Meanwhile at the NIH, LGBTQ+ research funding has been stopped, while the Trump administration looks for ways to cut its funding for universities.
First Edition: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Federal Judge Blocks Order To Cut Funding For Transgender Care
U.S. District Court Judge Lauren King on Friday issued a preliminary injunction after previously granting a two-week restraining order on the matter, according to AP. Other states making news include Iowa, Connecticut, Tennessee, Florida, Illinois, and New York.
Staffing Levels At NC’s Mission Hospital Are Risky, Say Nurses, State Senator
On the heels of last year’s federal sanctions, North Carolina Sen. Julie Mayfield, a Democrat and a leader of Reclaim HealthCare WNC, said understaffing has once again led to “at least one other preventable death,” the Asheville Watchdog reported. But Mission spokesperson Nancy Lindell said the claims made at Friday’s news conference “are incorrect.”
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
FDA, CDC Granted Exemption To Advise WHO On Shots For Next Flu Season
Data suggests this season’s vaccines were less effective for some children, but the composition change should address that. Meanwhile, the CDC says that although influenza activity is still elevated, this flu season appears to have peaked.
Vaccines An ‘Option’ Amid Deadly Measles Outbreak, HHS Chief Says
“The decision to vaccinate is a personal one,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote after suggesting the use of vitamin A as a treatment. Measles has no approved antiviral treatment. Studies have found the MMR vaccine is safe and effective. Meanwhile, vaccine resistance hardens in Texas as measles cases grow.
Large Employers Warn Against Hospital ‘Cost-Shifting’ To Cover Medicaid Gap
The Purchaser Business Group on Health, which represents large businesses such as Walmart, Microsoft, and Salesforce, says hospital leaders shouldn’t look to businesses to make up any potential Medicaid losses, Modern Healthcare reported.
HHS Scrubs Public Comment On Health Rules, Rolling Back Transparency
Despite his pledge to “launch a new era of radical transparency,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is issuing a new rule today that effectively eliminates input from knowledgeable health care industry professionals. Reactions condemning Kennedy’s Friday announcement were swift.
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 trust in health care, covid, ABLE accounts, gun violence, and more.
Republicans Decry States’ Levies On Insurers, Providers For Medicaid Funds
To pay for President Donald Trump’s tax cuts, GOP lawmakers are leaning into restricting matching funds for provider taxes, a move that would put states in a bind to make up the difference. They allege states are inflating Medicaid costs.
Government Shutdown Looms As GOP Brass Weigh Adding DOGE Cuts To Bill
The strategy, though not firm, would be to codify savings Elon Musk claims come from waste into the federal spending bill. It would effectively back Democrats into a corner over whether to keep the government open or allow, as they see it, President Donald Trump’s unconstitutional power grab.
