The Week in Brief: Friday, Aug. 21, 2026
Headless FDA Gets a New Nominee
President Trump is nominating Heidi Overton, a physician and White House policy adviser, to lead the FDA, which has been without a Senate-confirmed leader since May. Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss this story and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews billionaire businessman Mark Cuban.
New DOJ Guidance Could Give States Cover To Cut Disability Services
By Stephanie Armour
A new rule from the Justice Department upends a 25-year-old interpretation of federal disability law. Advocates fear it could result in cuts to services that help many disabled Americans live at home instead of in institutions.
What Geriatric Emergency Departments Do Differently
By Paula Span
These specialized units can help keep older patients out of the hospital, lower their healthcare costs, and more.
Drive for Nuclear Power Boosts Uranium Industry — And Tribal Health Concerns in Southwest
By Melissa Bailey
Federal efforts to revive uranium mining in the West and decrease reliance on Russian uranium are raising concerns about drinking water for tribal communities reckoning with the industry’s deadly legacy.
Newsom Promotes Affordable Insulin, but California’s Generic Label Off to a Slow Start
By Angela Hart
California is the first to launch state-branded insulin as Gov. Gavin Newsom tries to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry. But the new CalRx drug label has been slow to reach pharmacies and patients.
How Much of a Cancer Drug Is Too Much? Patients, Researchers Challenge FDA-Approved Dosages
By Arthur Allen
Patients and researchers point to evidence that many cancer drug dosages are excessive, and that reducing the amount and frequency could save billions of dollars and prevent some of the worst side effects.
Watch: Mark Cuban Says You Can’t Fix Healthcare Until Every Price Is Known
By Julie Rovner and Hannah Norman
With his online pharmacy, Mark Cuban changed how generic drugs are sold — and he has thoughts about how to fix the healthcare system. The billionaire businessman talks to KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to answer the question: “How Would You Fix It?”
Medicare’s Paying Less for Cataract Surgery. Eye Doctors Are Turning to Lucrative Lasers.
By Phil Galewitz
More cataract patients, wanting not only restored but improved vision, are paying extra for their doctors to use a laser when a scalpel would do.
You Want To Join a Clinical Trial. Here’s What To Know About the Hurdles.
By Michelle Andrews
The Department of Health and Human Services has launched an effort to streamline clinical research, and legislation is pending in Congress. But patients and providers face participation challenges.
Violence Against Healthcare Workers and Staffing Shortages Fuel Hospital Strikes
By Lynn Arditi
Healthcare workers at a Michigan hospital have been on strike since last September. Violence on the job is one reason behind it, with federal data showing hospital workers are seven times as likely to be injured on the job due to violent acts as members of the general working population.
How Louisiana’s New Surgeon General Wants To Transform Public Health
By Rosemary Westwood, The New York Times
Evelyn Griffin is pushing for more emphasis on wellness and prevention. She has also aligned with the MAHA movement in fighting government mandates and questioning the safety of some vaccines.
Gounder Brings Clarity to Egg Freezing, AI Virus Creation, and New Trump Vaccine Order
KFF Health News editor-at-large for public health Céline Gounder made several TV appearances recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a roundup.