Latest KFF Health News Stories
First Edition: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Wildfires Caused Dangerous Levels Of Chlorine And Lead In The Air
Also in California, mental health workers address the struggles of fire refugees. In other news: North Carolina welcomes a new DHHS secretary; Colorado hospitals show uneven growth; St. Petersburg, Florida, wants a hurricane wall to protect its hospital; and more.
Fauci Dismisses ‘Baseless Threats’ Over Handling Of Pandemic, Takes Pardon
The pardon stretches from Jan. 1, 2014, to Jan. 19, 2025, which includes his time as a member of the White House’s covid-19 task force. Meanwhile, HHS has debarred EcoHealth Alliance Inc. and its former president, Peter Daszak, for five years over its virus studies.
US Health Care Systems Post Another Bad Year For Cyberattacks
A record 184 million people had their health care data compromised in 2024. Despite the troubling numbers, one AHA adviser commends companies’ cooperation with authorities, saying quick action helped ward off further attacks. Also in the news: MedPAC, independent surgeons, and more.
Trump Pulls US Out Of Paris Climate Agreement — Again
President Donald Trump has argued that the accord, first negotiated in 2015, is unfair to American businesses and the U.S. economy. In other news, Trump also took action on lethal injections and police chokeholds.
Viewpoints: What Does A Future Without The WHO Look Like?; Buckle Up For More Birth Control Battles
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Government Website On Reproductive Rights Is No Longer Online
The website, reproductiverights.gov, provided information on health care issues including birth control, breast and cervical exams, prenatal care, and more. Meanwhile, Maryland secures abortion rights, Texas works to clarify exemptions, and Missouri wants to roll back reproductive rights.
Trump Signals Intent To Withdraw US From World Health Organization
Leaving the WHO means the CDC would no longer have access to the global data that the agency provides, making it harder to fight the next pandemic. “This is going to be a grave strategic error that will make America less healthy and less safe,” said global public health expert Lawrence Gostin.
Dorothy Fink Selected As Interim HHS Secretary
The endocrinologist and leader of the health agency’s Office on Women’s Health will lead the agency while Robert Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick for the role and the focus of bipartisan scrutiny, undergoes confirmation by the Senate. The push back on Kennedy’s selection as health secretary could leave the agency without a Senate-confirmed leader for an extended period of time.
Trump Signs Order Designating Drug Cartels As Terrorist Organizations
President Donald Trump signed the executive order Monday, and AP reports that it could pave the way for “a militarized agenda for the border and Latin America.” Other fentanyl-related news is on tariffs, Walgreens, West Virginia, and more.
US Will No Longer Allow Transgender, Nonbinary Identities, Per Trump Order
Gender identity — and protections such as health care afforded to people in that community — will be stripped from the federal government. A legal challenge is already planned. Separately, an effort is underway to remove transgender people from the military.
President Donald Trump overwrote Joe Biden’s executive order that led to longer enrollment periods for Affordable Care Act plans in most states and extra funding to help people enroll, Stat reports. Trump also halted some prescription cost-saving efforts for people on Medicare and Medicaid, which might stall momentum for Medicare drug pricing negotiations. On Friday, another 15 drugs — including blockbusters Ozempic and Wegovy — were added to the negotiation list.
First Edition: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
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 covid, RFK Jr., Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more.
FDA Authorizes Sale Of Zyn Pouches To Help Adult Smokers Cut Back
FDA officials say that while Zyn is not safe, the data show the pouches are less harmful than alternatives and contain fewer harmful ingredients than cigarettes. Meanwhile, a new report by the American Cancer Society shows a shift in cancer diagnoses from older to younger adults, with more women being diagnosed than men.
CDC: Hospitals Treating Patients For Flu Should Also Test Swiftly For H5N1
A check for bird flu should be done within 24 hours of admission, the agency advises. Moreover, patients suspected of having seasonal or bird flu should be treated right away with antivirals.
Viewpoints: Steps Medical Professionals Can Take To Safeguard Immigrant Patients
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Arkansas Hopes To Reinstate Work Requirements For Medicaid
When Arkansas previously enacted work requirements in 2018, more than 18,000 people lost coverage. Also in the news: New Hampshire tackles the issue of exorbitant, unexpected ambulance bills; San Francisco’s public health director will step down; Montana seniors struggle with homelessness; and more.
UnitedHealth Group Dodges Blame for System Failures In Wake Of CEO Killing
In the first public appearance since Brian Thompson’s slaying in early December, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed the public’s discontent, skirting responsibility and blaming drug companies and hospitals for the health care system’s failures.
AIDS Relief Program ‘In Jeopardy,’ Lawmaker Says, Citing Misuse Of Funds
Republican Sen. Jim Risch says PEPFAR money paid for abortions in Mozambique. Although the CDC acknowledged money was used to pay abortion providers who weren’t aware of the restrictions, it says the $4,100 has been returned. “CDC identified the error, took immediate action, has a plan in place to prevent it from happening again,” a spokesperson said.
