Latest KFF Health News Stories
States Take On Prior Authorization Reform As Congressional Efforts Stall
States are picking up the mantle on insurance reform as they await lawmakers’ next attempt to push through a bipartisan, health-industry-backed bill. Other news is on a gender-affirming care ban in Utah; votes against a fluoride ban in Louisiana; and more.
Wait Times Up For Doc Appointments Across Many Specialties, Survey Finds
A recent survey of six medical specialties in 15 U.S. metropolitan areas finds that the average wait time for physician appointments has increased significantly in recent years. Specialties most affected include OB-GYN and cardiology.
CMS Requests Hospitals’ Data Related To Transgender Care In Children
Hospitals will have to submit information on their policies and procedures as well as any adverse events related to gender-affirming procedures, The Hill reports. Plus, HHS has a new deputy general counsel to work on psychedelics policy, and news outlets list Medicaid’s defenders.
Health Experts, Industry Sound Alarm Over New Covid Vaccine Guidance
News outlets unpack the public health effects of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s revised vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women. In other vaccine news, HHS cancels its bird flu vaccine contract with Moderna; ‘Hotel Influenza’ will aid in developing new flu vaccines.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
First Edition: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics and more.
Study: People With Autism At Higher Risk Of Early-Onset Parkinson’s
A Swedish study finds that the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease before age 50 is four times higher in people with autism than those without. But a Parkinson’s diagnosis before that age is rare, including in people with autism. Other research explores diabetes, aging, covid, and more.
Weight Loss Drug Prices Start To Drop; Will They Be Affordable?
Drugmakers are introducing discounts and lower-cost options for consumers who have to pay for GLP-1 drugs out of pocket. News outlets look at the trend in pricing for drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound. Other industry news is on CarePoint Health, layoffs, supplements, and more.
Less Shiny But Safer Skittles? Mars Removes Chemical Targeted By RFK Jr.
Skittles will no longer be made with titanium dioxide, a chemical additive that brightens colors and makes candy look shiny, but that has raised health concerns. Europe has banned the ingredient and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called it out as unhealthy.
Iowa, Nebraska See First Measles Cases As National Infection Rate Declines
Also in the news: A new covid variant has been detected in California and elsewhere in the U.S.; E. coli outbreak shows food safety pitfalls; and more.
Texas’ Newly Approved Bill Requires ‘Biological Sex’ On Official Documents
The bill, titled the “Women’s Bill of Rights” and passed in the middle of the night, next goes to Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, for signing. The legislation creates no criminal or civil penalties. More news comes from Texas, Illinois, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Planned Parenthood Missouri Again Halts Abortions After Court Ruling
The state filed a petition to the Missouri Supreme Court claiming that Judge Jerri Zhang’s earlier ruling, allowing abortions to resume, left abortion facilities “functionally unregulated” and women with “no guarantee of health and safety,” the Associated Press reports.
US Pulls Covid Shot Recommendation For Children And Pregnant Women
Health officials reiterate a “need for evidence” on the benefits of repeated COVID vaccines. Separately, after withdrawing from the WHO, U.S. and Argentina are launching their own “international health system”. Plus, a deeper look at the health implications of Republicans’ “big, beautiful bill.”
First Edition: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Denials Rose In 2024 As Insurers Asked For More Info, Medical Necessity
Modern Healthcare points out from the new report, however, that the initial denials were often overturned, and insurers ended up paying nearly 97% of dollars requested. Also in industry news: Florida Blue and Broward Health; Uber Health and Lyft Healthcare; medical errors and AI; and more.
US Excess Deaths On The Rise, Remain Higher Than Tallies In Peer Countries
“These deaths are driven by long-running crises in drug overdose, gun violence, car collisions, and preventable cardiometabolic deaths,” said coauthor Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, PhD. Other news is on CRISPR, ministrokes, night vision contact lenses, and more.
Proposed Texas Anti-Abortion Pill Bill Also Aims To Defang Judicial Role
A bill that is advancing through the Texas Legislature contains multiple measures that target medicated abortion access both in the state and nationwide. The bill’s language also gets into “unprecedented” territory by making it impossible to challenge it as unconstitutional in state court. It’s unclear if the legislation will pass in this session that is scheduled to wrap by June 2.
Funding For 988 Crisis Line Still Intact, But Specialized LGBTQ+ Line At Risk
A leaked preliminary budget plan suggests that funding for the hotline will not be changed for now, but a dedicated line that linked LGBTQ+ youth to specially trained counselors might get the chop. Also, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy discusses kids’ mental health and loneliness.
Speaker Johnson Defends Tax Bill Changes To Medicaid, SNAP As ‘Moral’
House Speaker Mike Johnson said in an interview Sunday that, “If you are able to work and you refuse to do so, you are defrauding the system.” He continued: “So there’s a moral component to what we’re doing” with Medicaid work requirements. He also said states need to shoulder more of the costs of SNAP to be more invested.
