The Week in Brief: March 7, 2025
Marty Makary, Often Wrong as Pandemic Critic, Is Poised To Lead the FDA He Railed Against
Arthur Allen
Should Marty Makary take the reins at the FDA, transitioning from gadfly to the head of an agency that regulates a fifth of the U.S. economy, he would have to engage in the thorny challenges of governing.
The State of Federal Health Agencies Is Uncertain
The Supreme Court opined for the first time that Trump administration officials may be exceeding their authority to reshape the federal government by refusing to honor completed contracts, even as lower-court judges started blocking efforts to fire workers, freeze funding, and cancel ongoing contracts. Meanwhile, public health officials are alarmed at the Department of Health and Human Services’ public handling of Texas’ widening measles outbreak, particularly the secretary’s less-than-full endorsement of vaccines. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Stephanie Armour of KFF Health News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.
Medicaid Advocates Say Critics Use Loaded Terms To Gain Edge in Congressional Debate
Phil Galewitz
As policymakers in Washington debate potentially steep funding cuts to Medicaid, Republicans are using terms such as “money laundering” and “discrimination” to make their case. Language experts and Medicaid advocates say their word choice is misleading and designed to sway the public against the popular program.
To Patients, Parents, and Caregivers, Proposed Medicaid Cuts Are a Personal Affront
Bernard J. Wolfson
At a town hall in Orange County, California, angry residents said Congress should keep its hands off Medicaid. The cuts contemplated in a House budget blueprint would bore a giant hole in California’s version of the safety net health insurance program, Medi-Cal, which covers nearly 15 million residents.
Years Later, Centene Settlements With States Still Unfinished
Andy Miller
At least 20 states have settled disputes with health insurance giant Centene since 2021 over allegations that its pharmacy benefit manager operation overcharged their Medicaid programs. Two holdouts appear to remain: Georgia has not yet settled, and Florida officials won’t answer questions about its Centene situation.
UnitedHealth Wins Ruling Over $2B in Alleged Medicare Advantage Overpayments
Fred Schulte
A special master found the Justice Department failed to prove wrongdoing by the giant health insurer.
Home Improvements Can Help People Age Independently. But Medicare Seldom Picks Up the Bill.
Joanne Kenen
A small program celebrated by its proponents helps people modify their homes and safely live independently as they age. But most insurers won’t pay for it, including Medicare.
Law and Order or Bystander Safety? Police Chases Spotlight California’s Competing Priorities
Don Thompson
California’s governor is pressuring Oakland to allow more police pursuits as part of a crackdown on crime. But more pursuits mean a greater risk to public health, with more potential injuries and deaths among bystanders. Policies in cities including New York and San Francisco reflect divergent local priorities.
States Facing Doctor Shortages Ease Licensing Rules for Foreign-Trained Physicians
Arielle Zionts
Amid doctor shortages, several states have stopped requiring foreign-trained providers to repeat residencies before they’re fully licensed. Critics say patients could be harmed because of the loosened training requirements.
For Seniors With Hoarding Disorder, a Support Group Helps Confront Stigma and Isolation
Sarah Boden
Hoarding disorder disproportionately affects older people. As baby boomers age, it is a growing public health concern. Effective treatments are scarce, and treating hoarding can require expensive interventions that drain municipal resources. Some experts fear a coming crisis.
Journalists Discuss a Mysterious, Deadly Illness in Congo and Early Moves by Secretary RFK
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.