The Week in Brief: Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
Conflicting Advice on Covid Shots Likely To Ding Already Low Vaccine Rates, Experts Warn
Phillip Reese
About 1 in 4 American adults got a covid vaccine shot during the 2024-25 virus season, a fraction health care experts warn could be smaller this year as millions wrestle with conflicting advice from the government and trusted medical organizations about the value of a shot.
Listen: New Federal Guidelines Could Weaken Consumer Protections Against Medical Debt
Noam N. Levey
The Trump administration has taken another step to weaken protections for Americans with medical debt, issuing rules that undercut state efforts to keep these debts off consumers’ credit reports.
Health Care Costs Jump to the Fore as Candidates Jockey To Be California Governor
Claudia Boyd-Barrett
During a California gubernatorial debate, candidates promised to protect people’s access to health care and fight back against Trump administration cuts. With the contest a year away, polling shows voters want the next governor to minimize out-of-pocket health care costs, increase mental health care, and expand caregiving services.
A Few Good Things From 2025 (Really)
Dan Weissmann
Good news for health care access this year includes new state laws to rein in prior authorization and medical debt collectors.
Shutdown Has Highlighted Washington’s Retreat From Big Ideas on Health Care
Stephanie Armour
As voters feel financial pressure from runaway health care costs and crave innovations that would provide relief, the standoff in Congress has been firmly rooted in the status quo — keeping an existing provision of the Affordable Care Act alive.
The Government Is Open
The record-long federal shutdown is over after a small group of Democrats agreed to a deal with most Republicans that funds the government through January — but, notably, does not extend more generous Affordable Care Act tax credits. Plus, new details are emerging about how the Trump administration is using the Medicaid program to advance its policy goals. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Julie Appleby, who wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.
What the Air You Breathe May Be Doing to Your Brain
Paula Span and Oona Zenda
Studies increasingly find links between higher concentrations of certain pollutants and the prevalence of dementia.
ICE Crackdown Heightens Barriers for Immigrant Domestic Violence Victims
Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
Immigrant victims of domestic violence have long encountered hurdles when seeking help from police and courts. The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has made victims without legal status even more afraid to report abuse, advocacy groups say.
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Journalists Shed Light on Opioid Settlement Cash, New Medicaid Work Requirements
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Readers Take Congress to Task and Offer Their Own Health Policy Fixes
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.