Latest KFF Health News Stories
To Guard Against Health Care Cuts, Proposed Calif. Budget Has No Deficit
But Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, warned that steep cuts threatened by incoming President Donald Trump could throw his fiscal plans into disarray. In other news, Ohio’s former health director, a Democrat who guided the state in the early days of the pandemic, is running for governor.
Departing FDA Head Defends Agency’s Record, Looks Warily Ahead
Speaking with Stat ahead of his exit, Robert Califf expressed concern about the potential for brain drain in government. Other news is on promising drugs for lung cancer patients, the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, and more.
Jury Nullification A Real Concern In UnitedHealthcare Case, Experts Say
The suspect in the shooting death of CEO Brian Thompson has garnered sympathy and financial support as he awaits trial, a sign that public support could sway the jury, legal analysts contend. More health industry news is about IU Health, Allumia Ventures, Tricare, and more.
Florida Covid Vaccine Probe Yields Zero Evidence Of Criminal Wrongdoing
In its report, the grand jury did recommend greater transparency in clinical trials and a ban on pharmaceutical ads. The CDC maintains the vaccines are safe. Also, it’s not too late to get seasonal covid and flu shots as cases of those respiratory viruses are skyrocketing after holiday gatherings.
Johnson: No Social Security, Medicare Cuts To Fund Trump’s Priorities
“The Republican Party will not cut benefits,” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said. Also in the news: Medicare drug price negotiations, the House transgender bathroom ban, and more.
Meta Ditches Fact Checks That Had Helped Curb Health Misinformation
One of the reasons the industry had doubled down on policing speech was because of falsehoods about covid, The Washington Post noted. Meanwhile, mis- and disinformation shows no sign of slowing on the internet, and doctors are often targets.
ACA Hits Record Enrollment Yet Again, Fulfilling A Promise From Biden
Twenty-four million people have signed up for health insurance through the government marketplace. The deadline to sign up, in all but a handful of states, is Jan. 15. President-elect Donald Trump tried to dismantle Obamacare during his first term.
First Edition: Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Texas Needs More Funding To Properly Staff 988 Suicide Hotline
Also in the news: A Tennessee judge largely blocks a law requiring porn site age verification; Indiana death row inmates reject Biden’s commutation; and Donald Trump brings a new wrinkle to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s unfinished project of health care.
Study: Prescription Drugs Release ‘Forever Chemicals’ Into Wastewater
The research, published Monday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, also concluded that large municipal wastewater treatment plants are unable to fully remove the chemicals during treatment. Separately, dancing may help with depression among those with Parkinson’s disease, concussions rise among female athletes, and more.
Puberty Blockers Prescribed To Less Than 0.1% Of US Children, Study Finds
Researchers say among those with private insurance, not one transgender person under 12 was prescribed gender-affirming hormones. “There’s not some massive wave of folks accessing care,” the report’s lead author says. Separately, more than 30,000 veterans who were dismissed over sexuality might get their discharge status upgraded, opening the door to benefits they’ve been denied.
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
Medical Debt Now Banned From Credit Reports, But New Rule Faces Hurdles
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has estimated that this could boost the credit scores of people with medical debt by an average of 20 points, potentially improving their access to housing and lowering the threat of homelessness. Still, the rule may face a court challenge or could be struck down by incoming President Donald Trump.
Key GOP Senator, Who’s Also A Doctor, Balks At RFK Jr.’s View Of Vaccines
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is the incoming chairman of the Senate HELP committee. Cassidy was one of just seven Republicans who voted to convict Donald Trump in his impeachment trial in 2021. He is scheduled to meet with HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week.
FDA Sets New — And Unenforceable — Lead Level Guidance For Baby Food
Critics, however, say the move is too little, too late. Other FDA and pharma news is on AI-enabled medical devices, smaller PBMs, and more.
America’s First Human Bird Flu Death Logged In Louisiana
The patient, who had underlying medical conditions, was exposed to the virus through a backyard flock and wild birds. As Iowa records its first H5N1 case in a domestic flock this year, officials warn to be wary of signs of possible infection in birds.
First Edition: Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Governor Issues Executive Order To Limit Ultra-Processed Foods
In other news, California homelessness increased by 3% in one year; Minnesota now requires insurance companies to cover wigs for cancer patients; and more.
Former Virginia NICU Nurse Charged With Abusing Babies In Her Care
Meanwhile, a Florida ob-gyn is reprimanded for abortion care; some insurers are denying coverage of prosthetic limbs as not necessary; AI in health care; and more.
Editorial writers discuss these public health issues.
