Latest KFF Health News Stories
AI Offers New Hope To Couples Suffering With Male Infertility
The Columbia University Fertility Center used a tiny camera to find viable sperm within hours in a man who had almost no detectable sperm. In other lifestyle news: the cognitive consequences of chatbots; a new AI test shows 87.9% accuracy at detecting Parkinson’s; and more.
New Hampshire Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning Transgender Care For Minors
The measure includes a “grandfather clause” that would allow youths who are already receiving care to continue to get it. Meanwhile, hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children might be on the cusp of losing federal funds.
Second WHO Probe Into Covid’s Origins Ends Just As The First: Inconclusively
It likely jumped from animals to humans, the experts said in their final report Friday. However, a critical component of the investigation was missing: Despite repeated requests, the group was not given access to Chinese data and therefore could not evaluate claims of a lab leak, AP reports.
CMS Launches Prior Authorization Trial For Some Medicare Services
Health care service companies are being asked to join a program that relies on technology to review certain fee-for-service Medicare requests. A program-affiliated medical professional will give the final ruling on a claim. Plus, Social Security Administration payment changes start in July.
DOGE No Longer In Charge Of Awarding Billions In Federal Grants
DOGE has been overseeing the grants.gov site for the past three months, giving it control of more than $500 billion in annual awards. On Thursday, departments were advised to return to “standard procedures.” More than $14 million in health care grants had been stalled under DOGE’s control, The Washington Post reports.
Senate Republicans Forge Ahead With Vote-A-Rama On Medicaid-Cutting Bill
The Senate is set to begin the process 9 a.m. today, giving members of both parties an opportunity to introduce and vote on an unlimited number of amendments to the package, The Hill reported. The Congressional Budget Office now estimates the megabill would reduce spending on Medicaid, Medicare, and Obamacare by more than $1.1 trillion by 2034.
First Edition: Monday, June 30, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Florida Laws Support Mental Health Care, Substance Abuse Programs
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure designed to redirect people experiencing mental health struggles to treatment instead of incarceration and another establishing a research center at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Novo Nordisk Makes Deal With WeightWatchers For Wegovy
Days after the breakdown of the partnership with telehealth company Hims & Hers, Novo Nordisk has announced a new deal with WeightWatchers. Also in the news: UnitedHealth, EasterSealsNH, Carlsmed, and more.
New Magnetic Scoliosis Treatment Gives Kids A Less-Traumatic Remedy
The “magic rods” are surgically implanted and can be slowly lengthened with internal and external magnets. It is a less invasive treatment than traditional methods involving body casts and surgeries. Also: Mpox vaccine trials; animal antibiotics’ link to resistance in humans; and more.
Planned Parenthood Can Be Excluded From Medicaid, Supreme Court Rules
The ruling means that under federal law, health care providers or patients cannot sue if a state violates a provision guaranteeing Medicaid patients can visit their preferred provider. Other news is on the handling of newborns’ extra blood samples; a class action lawsuit against the EPA; and more.
Panel Advises Against Scantly Used Thimerosal In Flu Vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also agreed to add Merck’s RSV shot Enflonsia to the government’s list of recommended childhood immunizations. Separately, news outlets take a closer look at ACIP.
Viewpoints: Draconian Abortion Ban Led To Adriana Smith Tragedy; Monarez May Disrupt Anti-Vax Agenda
Opinion writers tackle these public health topics.
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 crash test dummies, organ transplants, wellness retreats, and more.
GOP Scrambling After Senate Ruling On Medicaid Provision Of Tax Bill
Republicans are going back to the drawing board after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that Medicaid cuts proposed in President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spend bill are ineligible for a majority vote. Other administration news from the health agencies makes the day’s headlines.
First Edition: Friday, June 27, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Study Suggests Disposable Vapes Have More Toxic Metals Than Cigarettes
A study by UC Davis found that some disposable e-cigarettes emit in a single day the same amount of lead as 20 packs of conventional cigarettes. More news is on nitrates in water linked to preterm births; heart attack deaths; and a cancer-fighting compound.
New York Judge Fired For Opposing Trump’s Order On Gender Identity
Administrative Judge Karen Ortiz, who worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, was let go a month after opposing an executive order decreeing male and female as two “immutable” sexes. Other states making news: Tennessee, California, North Carolina, Oregon, and Missouri.
Health Care Spending To Top One-Fifth Of GDP By 2033, CMS Report Predicts
National health expenditures will increase 5.8% a year on average from 2024 to 2033, at which point $8.6 trillion will be spent on health care, Modern Healthcare reports. More news is on: layoffs at UCSF Health; CVS’ overbilling ruling; and more.
Protesters In Wheelchairs Zip-Tied As Lawmakers Squabble Over Medicaid
The demonstrators, 34 of whom were arrested, oppose cuts to Medicaid and other programs that senators are considering. Congress is still hashing out health care-related provisions in the megabill, including a rural hospital relief fund, provider taxes, the effects of payments to states, and more.
