Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health Insurers, Lawmakers Lock Horns Over High Cost Of Medical Care
The chief executive officers of five large insurance companies largely deflected the blame for soaring costs, arguing it’s the hospitals, doctors, and drug companies that charge too much to begin with. Lawmakers were united in their criticism, with Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., telling the CEOs, “You all have been very delinquent in your duty.” Plus, a look at the VA’s plan to expand community care.
First Edition: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
FDA Clears AI Radiology Tool That Triages CT Scan For 14 Conditions
Aidoc’s tool can scan for multiple critical findings — including liver injury, spleen injury, bowel obstruction, and appendicitis — in one abdominal scan, which sets it apart from other approved AI-based medical devices.
Research Finds Trace Amounts Of Pesticides, Chemicals In Breast Milk
Although researchers were quick to say that the health effects are still unknown, they say this new data could help strengthen chemical regulations as well as protections for infants and parents. Plus, news about abortion access, vasectomies, C-sections, and more.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Heart Disease Deaths Drop 2.7% But Remain Top Cause Of Death In US
Other public health news is on measles in Utah, flu vaccination rates among older Americans, Robert Kennedy Jr.’s national “Take Back Your Health” tour, and more.
Florida Bill Would Criminalize Helping Minors Access Gender-Affirming Care
Although gender-affirming care is already illegal in Florida, a new bill would change who could be held criminally liable for it. More news from around the nation comes from Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Oregon, New York, and North Carolina.
Insurance CEOs In Capitol Hill Hot Seat Over Surging Health Care Costs
The chief executive officers of UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, Elevance Health, Cigna, and Ascendiun are slated to testify today. One insurer, UnitedHealth Group, has revealed plans to return ACA profits to its marketplace members while Congress works “toward more long-term solutions.”
Withdrawal From WHO, Now In Effect, Weakens America’s Sway, Experts Warn
Today marks the United States’ formal exit from the World Health Organization, of which it had been a member since 1948. Advocates for the disease-fighting alliance see a path to the U.S. agreeing to rejoin, perhaps if the Trump administration sees an American at the helm.
First Edition: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Prenatal Exposure To Wildfire Smoke Raises Autism Risk, Study In Calif. Says
The risk of autism diagnosis was 10% to 23% higher depending on how many days a pregnant person in the third trimester was exposed to smoke pollution. Plus, Florida moves to woo nurses. More news comes from Hawaii, Wyoming, Missouri, and Maryland. Also, a tuna recall affects nine states.
Viewpoints: Most Insurance Preapprovals Are Unnecessary; Patients Skip Insurance In A Broken System
Opinion writers delve into these public health topics.
Lurie Children’s Hospital In Chicago Halts Even More Trans Care For Minors
Lurie was one of just a few Chicago-area hospitals that still provided gender-affirming medications to minors. The hospital announced Tuesday that it had been threatened with a federal probe and would no longer offer the meds for those under 18 who hadn’t previously been treated at the hospital.
Red Cross Asks For Blood Donations As It Declares A Severe Shortage
The American Red Cross says hospital demand is outpacing donor blood supply, which is impacted by factors including inclement weather and the flu season. Other public health news is on cancer research, mental health, and gun violence.
CDC Official Downplays Potential Loss Of Measles Elimination Status In US
Ralph Abraham, principal deputy director of the CDC, claimed the continued spread of the virus is ‘just the cost of doing business.” As Stat notes, however, elimination status is lost if a country is unable to stop ongoing transmission of the virus and circulation continues for a year or longer.
Vice President Vance And Wife Usha Are Expecting Fourth Child, A Boy
The second family’s newest member is due to arrive in July. In other administration news, DOGE did indeed gain access to one of the government’s most protected databases — the one containing Americans’ Social Security information. Plus, the toll of ICE actions in Minnesota and Florida.
Congress Irons Out A Deal To Fund HHS, But There Still Could Be Wrinkles
The legislation still must pass the Senate and House. Stat noted that many of the health care reforms in the package were part of a deal Congress struck in December 2024 that quickly fell apart after then President-elect Trump and Elon Musk attacked it.
First Edition: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
