Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hollywood Elite Shift Focus To Health Care As Actors Back Function Health
Matt Damon and Zac Efron are among the investors in the subscription-based health tech company, which offers customers more than 100 lab tests and alerts them to potential medical problems such as cancer, thyroid issues, or kidney disease. Other news is on a diagnostic AI startup, hospital closures, and more.
Senators Squabble Over ‘Health Cost Freight Train’ Racing Toward Patients
The Senate Finance Committee met Wednesday to discuss possible alternatives for Affordable Care Act subsidies, which expire at the end of the year. Republicans are calling for an overhaul of the system, but Democrats say they waited too long to initiate such reforms.
On Official Website, CDC Now Suggests Vaccines May Cause Autism
The change of language came Wednesday and includes a pledge to dig deeper into the causes of autism, going so far as to say, “Studies supporting a link have been ignored by health authorities.”
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion writers discuss these public health issues.
Researchers Develop New Lyme Disease Test For Faster, More Reliable Results
The molecular test can distinguish between past infections and current ongoing ones, which is important as Lyme disease grows more prevalent in the U.S. Other news follows how Novo Nordisk is using GLP-1s to possibly treat Alzheimer’s.
Strict Abortion Bill Fails To Advance Out Of South Carolina Subcommittee
Four Republicans abstained from voting, ensuring Democrats would block the measure that called for jailing people who get an abortion. Separately, ProPublica examines cases in which women died after they were unable to access standard reproductive care. Also, one woman’s harrowing delivery.
Former FDA Chief Gottlieb Joins Board Of Embattled UnitedHealth Group
It’s seen as the latest effort by CEO Stephen Hemsley — who was appointed in May — to turn around the insurance giant, which has struggled since the December 2024 slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
RFK Jr. Suggests Kids’ Peanut Allergies Might Be From Aluminum In Vaccines
“Those studies have never been done. We’re going to do them now,” the Health and Human Services secretary said at an event Monday. However, as USA Today notes, youth peanut allergy rates have fallen since guidelines were put into effect in 2017 that recommended introducing peanuts earlier.
US Withholds Crucial Antiretroviral Drug From HIV-Plagued South Africa
An administration official noted that South Africa and other countries “have significant means of their own” to pay for lenacapavir. Critics say the plan appears politically motivated. Other administration news is about special education, SNAP, VA transparency, and more.
In ACA Subsidy Fight, Trump Demands Payments Go ‘Directly … To The People’
On his Truth Social site Tuesday, President Donald Trump criticized health insurance companies and said he would not approve any other type of legislation.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Dysfunctional Mitochondria May Cause Onset Of Parkinson’s, Research Shows
Other news looks at a form of dementia housing that avoids locked doors; a heart disease calculator that may help predict the future risk for young adults; a test to detect fungal pathogens; and more.
Editorial writers examine these public health issues.
Some Public Health Websites Haven’t Been Updated Since Shutdown Ended
In separate news, the CDC on Monday linked for the first time the measles outbreak that began in Texas with other outbreaks in Utah and Arizona, The New York Times reported. Plus: The infant botulism outbreak has grown by eight cases in just three days.
Novo Nordisk Knocks Price Of Wegovy, Ozempic For Cash-Paying Customers
The company faces increased market pressure from both Eli Lilly and compounding pharmacies. Meanwhile, GoodRx is launching a telehealth weight loss program. Also: the Purdue Pharma settlement; a spinal cord simulator for home use; and more.
Medical Organizations Push Back On Anthem’s Out-Of-Network Policy
Anthem’s plan would punish hospitals and outpatient facilities for using out-of-network providers. Also in health industry news: Sutter Health announces plans for a California hospital; which hospitals will take the hardest hits from the Medicaid cuts; and more.
Backlash Grows Over Letting Pregnant Women Use Accessible Parking Spots
A Florida woman has sued over the state’s law, enacted in July, that allows any pregnant woman to get a one-year accessible parking permit. Disability advocates say spaces were already scarce.
GOP Senator: Replace ACA Tax Credits With Prepaid Health Savings Accounts
In other news from Capitol Hill: Senators have proposed a bill to require PPE for federal firefighters, and lawmakers are calling for the release of pregnant immigrants detained in ICE facilities.
NIH Posts Job Openings With Short Turnaround, Worrying Experts
The 12 high-level leadership positions have a two-week timeline for remaining open. Scientists worry that the short turnaround and the lack of search committees will not allow for the best candidates to be chosen and would open the door to more political appointments.
