Latest KFF Health News Stories
Fundraising For Nonprofit Providers To Help Offset Low Operating Margins
Post-pandemic operating margins remain low. With the National Institutes of Health — a major source of grant funding — facing an uncertain future under the incoming administration, nonprofit health systems are turning to large donors for help.
As Anti-Abortion Rhetoric Ramps Up, Blue States Erect Protective ‘Firewall’
Threats to abortion medication, shield laws, and contraception at the national level have officials in Democratic-leaning states shoring up reproductive freedoms where they can. Meanwhile, in the wake of ProPublica reporting about deaths of pregnant women, Georgia has given the boot to all members of its Maternal Mortality Committee.
Senate Democrats Push Forward With 12 Judge Confirmations, Drop 4 Others
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says the four who were withdrawn from consideration didn’t have the votes to get confirmed. However, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday advanced the nominations of six additional judicial picks.
Trump Taps Loyal Ally Pam Bondi As Nation’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer
In her role as Florida attorney general, Bondi sought to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Although that effort was unsuccessful, the Supreme Court did rule that the individual mandate to purchase insurance was unconstitutional. Also, GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia is poised to become the chairperson of the not-yet-created subcommittee on government efficiency.
Project 2025 Authors Awarded Spots in Trump Administration
Although many of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks have come from the dust jacket of Project 2025, prominent author Roger Severino, a staunch anti-abortionist, has been rejected from consideration for the position of HHS secretary due to his views on abortion being too controversial.
First Edition: Friday, Nov. 22, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Trench Fever Risk Grows For The Unhoused And Transplant Patients, CDC Says
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns us about a rare disease spread by body lice that is affecting homeless people and can cause complications and death to transplant patients who receive infected organs.
Half Of Those With HIV In The US Live In Climate Change-Vulnerable Areas
The 19th reports that for those living with HIV, extreme weather events make it more difficult to stay on top of medications. In separate climate news, rising temperatures may propel a wider spread of tick-borne diseases. Also: Semaglutide shows success at improving liver fibrosis in a late-stage trial.
Trans People’s Bathroom Use Limited To ‘Biological Sex’ Facilities At Capitol
The rule change is in response to Delaware Democrat Sarah McBride’s election to Congress. No stranger to such actions, McBride said: “This effort to distract from the real issues facing this country hasn’t distracted me over the last several days.”
Health Care Industry Maneuvers Ahead Of Trump’s Planned Tariffs On Supplies
Industry leaders are hopeful that the threatened taxes won’t be imposed on items and pharmaceutical ingredients crucial to patient care. Also in the news: Affordable Care Act subsidies, prior authorization policies, health transparency rules, and more.
World Girds For Trump Abortion Policy
Global health officials wait to see whether the incoming administration will withhold funding from the United Nations Population Fund and other groups that offer abortion assistance abroad. Past Republican administrations have. Meanwhile, women worried that contraception won’t be covered after Trump takes office are racing to renew their IUDs.
Top Candidates For FDA, NIH Wait In The Wings As RFK Jr. Steals Spotlight
Marty Makary, a surgeon at Johns Hopkins, is considered a contender for the job of FDA chief, sources told Bloomberg. And Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University, who once was the object of ex-NIH director Francis Collins’ scorn, has emerged as a contender to lead the agency. Plus: More on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Biden’s CMS Chief Warns That GOP’s Plans Will Hurt Low-Income Enrollees
Some say that putting TV star Dr. Mehmet Oz in charge of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would be “devastating” for millions of Americans. Disability advocates warn that proposed changes would undermine the nation’s system of home and community-based services.
Kaiser Permanente To Downsize Headquarters In California
In other news, federal investigators found evidence that anti-discrimination laws at Cedars-Sinai may not have been followed for Black maternity patients. Also: Texas aims to create dementia research fund; patient care workers strike; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Texas Sues Health System For Stopping Off-Duty Cops From Carrying Guns
The lawsuit alleges it happened illegally at least 10 times at Memorial Hermann Health System facilities in Houston. In related news: Houston nurses say violence is on the rise at hospitals.
Viewpoints: Texas Makes Strides In Dementia Research; RFK Jr. Pick Rattles Public Health Officials
Editorial writers discuss dementia research and RFK Jr.
Biden Unlikely To Achieve Menthol Ban Before End Of Term
The FDA might still try to push through a proposal to curb nicotine levels in cigarettes in an attempt to lower their addictiveness. Still, it’s unlikely that a federal ban on menthol cigarettes will go into effect before Donald Trump takes office in January.
