Latest KFF Health News Stories
Without US Support, WHO Is Paring Back Leadership Team, Departments
The World Health Organization, struggling financially since the U.S. left its ranks, has cut its management team by half and will reduce its departments by more than half, Stat reports. Meanwhile, Harvard is taking steps to cushion the blow by the Trump administration’s cuts.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Opinion writers discuss these public health topics.
Study Shows Suicide As Leading Cause Of Death Among Medical Residents
From 2015 and 2021, almost 30% of deaths among residents and fellows were due to suicide. In other news: Medicare fraud at UnitedHealth; patient fall rates at rehab facilities; and more.
Against Wishes of Voters, Missouri GOP Votes To Repeal Paid Sick Leave Law
Proposition A — approved in November by 57.6% of voters — allows workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, St. Louis Public Radio reported. Democrats slammed the state Senate’s repeal, which doesn’t need voter approval and now heads to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe.
Six-Week ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Abortion Law Will Stand In South Carolina
Per state law, the state Supreme Court ruled, abortions may be banned as soon as cardiac activity can be detected. Meanwhile in Missouri, GOP lawmakers plan to put forth a constitutional amendment to overturn voters’ support of abortion access.
Overdose Deaths Plummeted In 2024 But Still Higher Than Pre-Covid: CDC
Experts fear federal funding cuts could stymie strategies that are working, AP reports. Other news is on mental health, broken heart syndrome, toxic chemicals detected in rice, and more.
27-Hour Markup On GOP Megabill Ends With Billions In Medicaid Cuts
News reports have varying estimates of the exact number of billions in Medicaid cuts. And Politico reports that some Republicans were caught by surprise by some of the provisions in the bill. Also: The House Agriculture Committee greenlights as much as $300 billion in food aid spending cuts.
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. Claims Public Shouldn’t Take His Medical Advice
During a contentious House committee hearing Wednesday, Kennedy also said he would “probably” vaccinate his children against measles but that his personal opinions on vaccines “are irrelevant.” He also defended the decision to lay off around 10,000 HHS employees.
First Edition: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Overwork Could Change The Structure Of Your Brain, Study Suggests
Working 52 or more hours a week changed the brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation, researchers found. Meanwhile, another study shows that more sitting and lying down is linked to neurodegeneration in older adults, irrespective of physical activity levels.
UnitedHealth Group CEO Resigns ‘For Personal Reasons’; Shares Keep Falling
Chief executive Andrew Witty vowed to help fix the health care industry in the wake of CEO Brian Thompson’s 2024 killing. Other industry news is on Atrium Health’s pay raises; a strike among doctors and health care workers at PeaceHealth; and more.
Michiganders Shouldn’t Have To Wait For Abortion Care, Judge Rules
Noting voters approved enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, Judge Sima Patel also blocked a requirement that providers offer information about alternatives and another that said only doctors may perform the procedure. Also in the news: abortion pills, a burgeoning maternity center, pregnancy risks, and more.
Under GOP’s Medicaid Plan, 10 Million People Would Lose Coverage By 2034
A Congressional Budget Office estimate says 7.6 million Americans would go uninsured, the Hill reports. Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, 26 protesters were arrested Tuesday after they interrupted House Energy and Commerce Committee proceedings discussing Medicaid cuts.
HHS Has 20 Days To Bring Back Staff Who Examine Miners For Lung Disease
Almost 200 workers in NIOSH’s respiratory health division were let go last month, a move that the Department of Health and Human Services doesn’t have “the authority to unilaterally cancel,” U.S. District Judge Irene Berger ruled. Also: some workers have received notices rescinding their layoffs.
EPA Plans To Rescind Biden-Era Limits On PFAS In Drinking Water
The rollback would apply to four of the six “forever chemicals” that have been linked to various illnesses. Related news is on a 3M PFAS settlement, uncertainty around a Texas PFAS bill, and more.
Viewpoints: Three Opportunities To Transform Medicaid; Sen. Josh Hawley Is Right About Medicaid Cuts
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
FDA Aims To Remove Fluoride Supplements For Kids From Market
The move contradicts the advice from the CDC and professional medical associations that recommend low doses of fluoride supplements for children who live in areas without fluoridated water. HHS also takes on deregulation, infant formula, mental health care, and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Oil Well Blowout In Colorado Likely Exposed Residents To ‘Chemical Soup’
The Chevron Bishop well in Galeton last month caused dozens of chemicals to be shot into the air. Among them was benzene — a known carcinogen — at 10 times above the federal exposure limit. Other news is from North Dakota, Texas, Connecticut, California, Missouri, and Illinois.
