Morning Breakouts

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Texas Senate Votes Unanimously To Clarify Abortion Ban Exceptions

Morning Briefing

The bill now heads to the Texas House for approval. At the same time, the Texas Senate is cracking down on abortion pills. Other states making abortion news include North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Florida Poised To Ban Fluoride In Public Water, Following Utah’s Lead

Morning Briefing

The chemical additive has been used to prevent tooth decay. The bill, which passed the state House on Tuesday, awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature. Other news is about PBM regulations, sick leave, life expectancy trends, and more.

Gilead Sciences Will Pay $202 Million To Settle Alleged Kickbacks To Doctors

Morning Briefing

From 2011 to 2017, Gilead held dinners to promote its HIV medications at expensive restaurants that federal authorities claim were “wholly inappropriate” venues, Stat reported. Gilead said it settled to avoid the cost and distraction of potential litigation.

Supreme Court Sides With HHS Over Medicare Reimbursement Calculation

Morning Briefing

Roll Call reports that the 7-2 decision rejects an effort by hospitals for higher pay for serving low-income patients. Other Medicare and Medicaid news is on prior authorizations, Medicaid cuts, and more.

Federal Spending Grew Even As DOGE Axed Agencies, Culled Health Sector

Morning Briefing

According to the nonpartisan Penn Wharton Budget Model, which tracks weekly Treasury data, total spending rose by 6.3%, or $156 billion, since Donald Trump took office, compared to the first four months of 2024, Politico reported.

FDA Rethinking Fall Covid Shots; Scientists Told To Halt Bird Flu Forum

Morning Briefing

FDA Chief Dr. Marty Makary said Tuesday that he’d “like to see some good data” on the vaccines before deciding whether to approve a new version later this year. Plus: Reuters reports that the CDC told the National Academy of Sciences to cancel a workshop on how to prevent human bird flu infections.

7.2 Million Americans Now Suffer With Alzheimer’s

Morning Briefing

This is an increase of 300,000 cases from a year ago. At the same time, NIH funding cuts will stall research and harm Alzheimer’s patients, USA TODAY reported. In other Alzheimer’s news, improved diagnostic testing has up to 91% accuracy; new research shows it’s common for patients with Alzheimer’s to also have biomarkers for dementia; and more.

Law Requiring Parents Be Notified Of Minors’ Abortions Blocked In Nevada

Morning Briefing

The law was set to be reinstated Wednesday but has been temporarily blocked by U.S. District Judge Anne Traum to allow Planned Parenthood time to challenge it. They have until Friday to file an appeal.

Patients Struggle To Afford GLP-1s As Access To Compounded Versions Fades

Morning Briefing

Simultaneously, a new Tebra survey found that 36% of GLP-1 users are microdosing, with 38% of those people citing the desire to save money.

Third-Party Data Breach Hits Ascension Health Patients In 5 States

Morning Briefing

Ascension announced Monday that a former vendor who had access to patients’ information was hacked, potentially exposing the health data of people in Alabama, Michigan, Indiana, Tennessee, and Texas. Separately, health insurer Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has suffered a data breach.

Researchers Find That 1 Dose Of HPV Vaccine Is Just As Effective As 2

Morning Briefing

The data, which suggest that one shot helps prevent cancer, came from a clinical trial run by the National Cancer Institute. Also in vaccine news: a tuberculosis vaccine trial; vaccine policy at the FDA; and more.

With Congress’ Approval, Bill Banning Revenge Porn Is Sent To The President

Morning Briefing

The Take It Down Act would make it a crime to post real or AI-generated intimate images or videos online without the subject’s consent and would require platforms to remove the items. President Trump is expected to sign the bipartisan measure, which has the support of leading tech companies.

Feds Fire Every Contributor Working On National Climate Assessment; EPA To Set PFAS Limits On Companies

Morning Briefing

The climate review is required by Congress and was expected to be released in 2028. Plus: The EPA said Monday it will limit the amount of “forever chemicals” that can be discharged into water.

Changes At CFPB May Upend Efforts To Ban Medical Debt From Credit Reports

Morning Briefing

For now, an effort to lay off nearly all Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employees is on hold. But if the agency is shuttered, a Biden-era rule that would prevent credit agencies from including medical debt on credit reports would likely be overturned or wither away, The Washington Post says.