Latest KFF Health News Stories
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
Flu Vaccine Manufacturers In A Tight Spot After Canceled FDA Meeting
An HHS spokesman said the FDA will “make public its recommendations to manufacturers in time for updated vaccines to be available for the 2025-2026 influenza season.” It’s possible it might use the recommendations of a WHO panel that meets today to pick the strains for next season’s shots.
HPV Vaccine Uptake Greatly Improved Cervical Cancer Prevention: CDC
The study shows an almost 80% drop in rates of cervical precancers among women ages 20-24 from 2008 to 2022, correlating to vaccine uptake. Simultaneously, an mRNA pancreatic cancer vaccine is showing promise in a small, early-stage trial.
Wyo. Governor Signs Legislation That Effectively Ends Surgical Abortions
The new law requires clinics providing procedural abortions to be licensed as ambulatory surgical centers and will likely force the only such clinic to close, Wyoming Public Radio reported. Plus: Montana lawmakers have shelved an abortion travel ban.
Private Equity Sycamore Might Take Over Walgreens, Carve It Into Three
The deal is not yet finalized. Other news includes: tariffs on the pharmaceutical industry and what it means for medicine; Pfizer putting emphasis on merit in the face of DEI overhaul; and more.
Pentagon Bars Openly Transgender Troops From Serving Their Country
Meanwhile, The New York Times says the actual number of transgender troops serving is more than two-thirds lower than previously estimated. Other news includes Iowa and Missouri pushing to limit transgender rights and care; medical groups opposing Trump’s definition of “sex;” and more.
Doctors Call Out RFK Jr. Over Inaccurate Measles Information
“This is not usual,” one doctor said. “Any death of a child is one death too many, especially when it comes to vaccine preventable illnesses,” said another. Meanwhile, as cases crop up in Kentucky and New Jersey, the Trump administration and Texas officials are mum about vaccines available to prevent the disease.
First Edition: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Planned Parenthood Wins Appeal In Medicaid Fraud Case
The ruling overturns a decision by Texas U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who ruled in 2023 that Planned Parenthood must return millions of dollars it received from Texas and Louisiana’s Medicaid programs, Politico reported. Plus: more news from Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, California, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
Malpractice Standards Change From ‘Medical Custom’ To ‘Evidence-Based’
The American Law Institute’s guidelines — which it approved last year but now are published — pointed out that medical decision-making has changed in the past 40 years “away from subjective judgments and reliance on authorities toward a formal analysis of evidence,” MedPage Today said.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Viewpoints: Dangers Of The Anti-Vax Movement Come Into Focus As Child Dies In Texas Measles Outbreak
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Eli Lilly To Spend Billions Shifting Its Drugmaking To US
This move will help shore up the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain, which currently relies heavily on foreign sources for key raw ingredients. Also in the news: prescription drug legislation, uses of AI in health tech, and more.
Trump Administration Ends Nearly All USAID Programs
The announcement came hours before the administration was to restart payments on foreign aid grants, NPR reports, but Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily paused that lower court order Wednesday evening, allowing the White House more time to make the payments. Also in the news: NIH funding, VA funding, and an EPA move on climate regulations.
White House Reconsidering Moderna’s Bird Flu Vaccine Contract
The administration also told Vaxart Inc. to halt its research on an oral Covid vaccine, Bloomberg reports. In related news, the policy to cull poultry caught in H5N1 bird flu outbreaks will not be changed after all, but the poultry industry will see a $1 billion infusion to fight outbreaks.
FDA Scraps Panel Meeting That Advises On Vaccines For Next Season’s Flu
The committee typically meets in the spring to decide which strains to include in shots for the next winter wave. Meanwhile, a child has died in the Texas measles outbreak. Also, the WHO reports the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network is on the verge of collapse after the U.S. withdrew funding.
First Edition: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
GenBioPro, Leading Mifepristone Manufacturer, Enters Abortion Fight
On Tuesday, the company asked to be added to the list of defendants in a case brought before a Texas judge by three Republican state attorneys general, The New York Times reported.
Psilocybin Businesses Are Sprouting As First Licenses Issued In Colorado
It marks a start to the legal psychedelic-assisted therapy industry. Separately, Texas sees an increase in children being vaccinated amid the growing measles outbreak. Utah, Iowa, New York, California, and Idaho are also in the news.
FDA Eases Access To Medication For Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
The agency is eliminating a long-held blood test requirement, broadening access to clozapine. Also, new clinical trial results show hope for those with sickle cell disease and could lower the cost of treatment. Other news is on compounding pharmacies lawsuit against the FDA, promising cancer drugs, and more.
