Latest KFF Health News Stories
New Strain Of Bird Flu, More Dicey For Humans, Infects Nevada Dairy Cows
The D1.1 version of the virus was detected during milk testing late last year and was the strain that led to the death of a Louisiana man and severely sickened a Canadian teen. The CDC has not held bird flu briefings since Donald Trump became president, and now Virginia lawmakers are urging the release of essential public health data.
First Edition: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Good News For Parkinson’s Patients: FDA OKs New Wearable Treatment
MedPage Today reports on the infusion device, aimed at treating motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Also in public health news: hopes are dimmed for GLP-1 drugs’ ability to treat Parkinson’s; a new blood test may detect colon cancer with 80% accuracy; and more.
San Francisco Gives New Mayor Expanded Powers In Fentanyl Crisis
AP reports on the San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors’ 10-1 vote in favor of giving Mayor Daniel Lurie more power and flexibility in the fentanyl fight. Other news from across the nation is on overdoses in Maryland, a covid-related discrimination bill in Wyoming, a Missouri prison nursery, and more.
Moody’s Dings Health Insurance Sector With ‘Negative’ Outlook
The ratings agency expects Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial insurers to continue to see high medical costs this year. More industry news is about Baystate Health, Tricare East, and others.
White House Advances Its Crackdown On Transgender Health And Research
The moves have sparked confusion and fear among organizations that serve the LGBTQ+ community. In other news: A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s order that prisons must house trans women with male inmates.
Health Workers, Most Of Them Black, Listed As ‘Targets’ Over DEI ‘Offenses’
A website called “DEI Watch List” has had a chilling effect on federal employees, who are now concerned for their safety after their photos and personal information were published online. Meanwhile, physician and advocacy groups are pushing back against the administration’s data purge.
Federal Workers Fight For Their Jobs; Trump Further Dismantles USAID
Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health has resumed at least some grant reviews for health research projects. In other news, AP has reported that the United States will withdraw from the top U.N. human rights body and also will review its involvement in the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO.
Editorial writers dissect these public health topics.
RFK Jr.’s HHS Confirmation Probable After Gaining Cassidy’s Support
Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, said he was swayed after nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. agreed to significant vaccine concessions, Stat and The Hill reported. Also in the news, Pfizer’s CEO says he met with Kennedy and is “cautiously optimistic.”
New Attorney General Pam Bondi Will Play Key Role In Abortion Restrictions
Bondi says she has “always been pro-life,” and she supported abortion restrictions as the attorney general of Florida, where abortion is outlawed after six weeks. As U.S. attorney general, she could try to restrict abortion access through the Comstock Act.
First Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
FDA OKs Pig Organ Transplant Studies For Those With Kidney Failure
The organs will come from genetically modified pigs in the hopes of helping the thousands of Americans waiting for transplants. Also in the news: the world’s smallest heart pump, nanoplastics in the brain, rising lung cancer diagnoses, and more.
NY Hospitals Caught In The Middle Of Federal-State Trans Care Tug-Of-War
New York providers, wary of losing federal funding in light of President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt gender-affirming treatments, are told they would be violating state law if they don’t provide such care. More news comes from Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana.
New York Law Will Protect Doctors Who Prescribe Abortion Meds Online
In the aftermath of the indictment of a New York doctor in Louisiana, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill Monday that allows doctors to keep their names off abortion pill prescriptions. Also, Virginia moves to shield doctors who provide abortion care to out-of-state patients from extradition.
Viewpoints: Republican Senator Deserves Praise For Pushing Back Against RFK Jr.’s Misinformation
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
Cigna Makes Plans To Link Executive Pay With Customer Satisfaction
The move comes amid a public outcry over the health insurance industry’s denials of care and the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Other news is on antisemitism investigations at four medical schools; an acquisition of Texas nursing homes; Molina Healthcare; Baxter; and more.
Democratic Senators Urge RFK Jr. To Avoid Vaccine Decisions If Confirmed
Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Ron Wyden of Oregon are concerned his family could benefit from anti-vaccine litigation, Bloomberg reported.
Some CDC Webpages Reinstated, But Not All Health Care Info Is Back
News outlets report on the purge of DEI content from health and science agencies after Trump’s executive order last week. Meanwhile, the EPA is planning to sideline career staffers overseeing scientific research and public health matters and replace them with political appointees.
Rubio Takes The Helm At USAID In Apparent State Department Takeover
As Democrats and public health leaders denounce the White House’s moves against the humanitarian agency, one senator vows to stall State Department nominees until the attack ends. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China went into effect today.
