Latest KFF Health News Stories
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.
RFK Jr.’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ Report Politely Scrutinizes Doctors
The report, Politico notes, alleges doctors are under the influence of the pharmaceutical industry to overprescribe certain medications and are failing to treat the root causes of disease. Other Trump administration news is on the Digital Equity Act, IVF policy, NIH cuts, USAID, and more.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics and more.
Drowning Deaths Have Increased — Water Safety Tips As Summer Nears
Drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4. Other public health news is on a baby food recall at Publix; cannabis use among veterans; the importance of sunscreen among people with darker skin; and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to spend some time with over the long weekend. Today’s selections are on chronic disease, hearing loss, a gonorrhea vaccination program, and more.
Trying To Win More GLP-1 Patients, Novo Nordisk Looks To Telehealth
Stat reports on the unlikely collaboration between telehealth providers and manufacturers. Other health industry news is on the rising popularity of fractional chief financial officers, and the sentencing of a former senior partner at McKinsey & Company regarding OxyContin sales.
Editorial writers tackle these public health topics.
Inspection Of VA In Fla. Finds Expired Equipment, Unsecured Medications
Health News Florida reports on the Department of Veterans Affairs’ investigation into the Gainesville Veterans Health System, which was given seven recommendations for improvement. Other states making news include Texas, Arizona, Wyoming, North Carolina, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.
US Alcohol-Associated Cancer Deaths Doubled Over Last Three Decades
The new analysis looks at data from 1990 to 2021. Meanwhile, in some areas with water sources known to have high levels of PFAS, beer was found to be contaminated. Other cancer news explores the link between taurine and leukemia growth, GLP-1 use and lower cancer risks, and more.
Alarm Bells Sound Over Deep Health Care Cuts In House-Passed Tax Bill
Health groups and news outlets dive into the nitty-gritty of the legislation — provisions related to food stamps, insurance for low-income immigrants, and transgender health care — as well as the big changes to Medicaid. Meanwhile, Republican senators say some of those deep cuts won’t survive their chamber.
RFK Jr.’s MAHA Commission Draws Dark Picture Of Kids’ Health In Report
The Trump administration released a 72-page report Thursday outlining its take on what’s driving “a chronic disease crisis” among children in the U.S. Among the culprits cited are ultra-processed foods, excessive use of prescriptions drugs, and lifestyle factors.
FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Monovalent Covid Vaccine For Fall
Vaccine advisers to the FDA decided Thursday that only strains of the JN.1 variant should be targeted by updated versions of covid vaccines that will be available next fall and winter. Separately, cases of the new covid variant NB.1.8.1 have been detected in the U.S.
First Edition: Friday, May 23, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Look for it in your inbox Tuesday.
Lawmakers Push Bill Clarifying Exceptions To Texas Abortion Ban
The bill states that doctors cannot face criminal charges for performing an abortion in a medical emergency that could cause death to the mother. Other news comes from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Missouri.
Report: UnitedHealth Paid Off Nursing Homes To Avoid Hospital Transfers
An investigation by The Guardian finds the insurance giant UnitedHealth Group quietly paid thousands in bonuses to nursing home facilities that helped it gain Medicare enrollees and reduce hospitalization charges. Whistleblowers allege that the practice harmed some patients.
Federal Judge Declares AI Does Not Have First Amendment Rights
The lawsuit, filed by a Florida mother, claims her 14 year old’s use of Character.AI led to his suicide. The parent company, Character Technologies wants the lawsuit dismissed, claiming chatbots have free speech protections. The ruling means the lawsuit can proceed.
