Latest KFF Health News Stories
Viewpoints: Dangers Of The Anti-Vax Movement Come Into Focus As Child Dies In Texas Measles Outbreak
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Eli Lilly To Spend Billions Shifting Its Drugmaking To US
This move will help shore up the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain, which currently relies heavily on foreign sources for key raw ingredients. Also in the news: prescription drug legislation, uses of AI in health tech, and more.
Trump Administration Ends Nearly All USAID Programs
The announcement came hours before the administration was to restart payments on foreign aid grants, NPR reports, but Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily paused that lower court order Wednesday evening, allowing the White House more time to make the payments. Also in the news: NIH funding, VA funding, and an EPA move on climate regulations.
White House Reconsidering Moderna’s Bird Flu Vaccine Contract
The administration also told Vaxart Inc. to halt its research on an oral Covid vaccine, Bloomberg reports. In related news, the policy to cull poultry caught in H5N1 bird flu outbreaks will not be changed after all, but the poultry industry will see a $1 billion infusion to fight outbreaks.
FDA Scraps Panel Meeting That Advises On Vaccines For Next Season’s Flu
The committee typically meets in the spring to decide which strains to include in shots for the next winter wave. Meanwhile, a child has died in the Texas measles outbreak. Also, the WHO reports the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network is on the verge of collapse after the U.S. withdrew funding.
First Edition: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
GenBioPro, Leading Mifepristone Manufacturer, Enters Abortion Fight
On Tuesday, the company asked to be added to the list of defendants in a case brought before a Texas judge by three Republican state attorneys general, The New York Times reported.
Psilocybin Businesses Are Sprouting As First Licenses Issued In Colorado
It marks a start to the legal psychedelic-assisted therapy industry. Separately, Texas sees an increase in children being vaccinated amid the growing measles outbreak. Utah, Iowa, New York, California, and Idaho are also in the news.
FDA Eases Access To Medication For Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
The agency is eliminating a long-held blood test requirement, broadening access to clozapine. Also, new clinical trial results show hope for those with sickle cell disease and could lower the cost of treatment. Other news is on compounding pharmacies lawsuit against the FDA, promising cancer drugs, and more.
Hospitals Nationwide Overwhelmed By Crush Of Sick Patients, Execs Report
Health systems are revising strategies to meet the growing demand for inpatient care. One option is to send patients home to recuperate in their comfy surroundings and have health care personnel visit them there. Also in the news: Oregon Healthcare strike, Walgreens settlement, and more.
Editorial writers discuss these public health topics.
President Trump Signs Executive Order Reinforcing Price Transparency Rules
The regulations were first issued in 2019 during Donald Trump’s first term. Also in news on health care costs: billions “wasted” in overturning claims denials, an inquiry into UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare billing practices, and more.
Trump Administration Ordered To Quickly Pay Billions In Foreign Aid
A federal judge gave the government two days to release funds that were cut off without warning on Jan. 20. In other Trump administration news: The CDC will stop processing data on transgender identity; DOGE staffers are resigning in protest; veterans’ health data might be at risk; and more.
House Barely Passes Budget Bill, Teeing Up Tough Talks On Medicaid
Now that Republicans have taken steps to advance President Donald Trump’s tax cut goal, they must find ways to reduce spending elsewhere. The New York Times explores where potential cuts might be made and the effect it could have on states. Also, a look at cuts each district would see.
First Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Brain ‘Pacemaker’ To Ease Parkinson’s Symptoms Earns FDA Approval
The brain-computer interface technology uses an algorithm to adapt to an individual patient’s needs, improving on previous tech that provided constant electrical brain stimulation. Other news includes: antidepressants’ effect on dementia; red-light therapy; and more.
Missourians With Disabilities Receive Inadequate Care, State Records Show
From 2017 through 2023, 2,682 people with developmental disabilities died in Missouri state care, the River City Journalism Fund reported. Also in state news: a cancer cluster is found in Texas; North Carolina will get four more mental health crisis centers; and more.
Elizabeth Holmes’ Blood-Testing Fraud Conviction Upheld By Appeals Court
She claimed that her company, Theranos, could run accurate and fast tests from blood drawn from a finger prick. She was convicted of fraud in 2022, and the ruling was upheld Monday by a federal appeals court. Also in the news: hospital security, UnitedHealth, Pfizer, BGR Group, and more.
Viewpoints: The Case For Rethinking Baby Boxes; What Exactly Does ‘Ultra-Processed’ Food Mean?
Opinion writers dissect these public health issues.
High Court To Hear ACA Case In April; House Votes Today On Medicaid Cuts
In a surprising twist, the Trump administration said it will continue the Biden White House’s defense of the requirement that insurers cover certain preventive services, The Hill reported. Meanwhile, the House will vote today on a budget blueprint that proposes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid.
