After Bishops’ Vote, Catholic Hospitals Ban Gender-Affirming Care Across US
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
According to the Catholic Health Association, more than one in seven patients in the U.S. are treated at Catholic hospitals daily, with some communities having no alternative medical centers. Meanwhile, transgender service members are suing the Air Force after an announcement that it would deny them retirement benefits.
Medicaid Cuts Lead To Closure Of 20 More Planned Parenthood Locations
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
The closures come after months of financial struggle due to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill blocking the organization from billing Medicaid. Planned Parenthood has brought the issue to the courts in a battle that is ongoing. Plus: the potential effects of antidepressants on teenage sexuality.
FDA Unveils Blueprint For Custom Gene-Editing Treatments
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
The plan allows a company or academic group to craft custom treatments for “several” patients and then apply for approval. Rather than the FDA approving an individual, unchangeable drug, it would allow those creators to keep crafting bespoke editors for new individuals with new mutations, Stat explains.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, November 13, 2025
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
No matter which app you’re into, KFF Health News has you covered: Follow along on Instagram , TikTok , Bluesky , X , Facebook , and LinkedIn as we break down health care headlines and policy.
With Shutdown In Rearview Mirror, ACA Subsidies Are A Priority. Or Not.
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
The House voted Wednesday to fund the government through January, and President Donald Trump signed the measure that effectively ends the shutdown. Now, Democrats are maneuvering to force a vote on the expiring tax credits, while House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will not commit to bringing up the issue in his chamber, AP reports. Plus, what does this mean for SNAP benefits?
Trump Administration Aims To Slash Housing Grants By Two-Thirds In 2026
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a major shift in homelessness policy, the bulk of funding would be directed toward programs that prioritize work and drug treatment. Also: new patent policies’ impact on lowering drug prices; pediatricians’ reactions to the FDA’s effort to limit fluoride supplements; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
ICE Crackdown Heightens Barriers for Immigrant Domestic Violence Victims
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
November 13, 2025
KFF Health News Original
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.
‘They Don’t Return Home’: Cities Across US Fail To Curb Traffic Deaths
By Chaseedaw Giles
November 13, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston reported more traffic fatalities than homicides last year. Despite local, state, and federal safety initiatives, such as Vision Zero, traffic deaths across the U.S. are higher than they were a decade ago.
Ongoing Measles Outbreaks In Canada Cost Americas Their Elimination Status
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Individual countries are maintaining their standing, health officials say, but the U.S. might lose its elimination status if it can’t get current outbreaks under control by January. Plus, two U.S. airports report measles exposures.
‘State Of Crisis’ As Rural Hospital Maternity Unit Closures Rise In 2025
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
A new report points to 27 completed or planned labor and delivery unit closures this year. Other industry news is on Genesis HealthCare, the fight between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the UMass Memorial Health system, pediatric ER care, and more.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 12, 2025
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Check out our new newsletter, California Weekly Roundup. Each Wednesday, we’ll feature original reporting from our California Bureau , as well as a roundup of the latest health headlines from across the state. Sign up here!
ACA Subsidies: GOP Alternatives Would Link Abortion Or Even Gut The System
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republicans are floating ideas for discussion after the government reopens. One idea from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would extend the soon-to-expire Obamacare subsidies in exchange for stricter abortion restrictions on insurance plans. Another idea from President Donald Trump would give federal health care funds directly to individuals instead of through insurers. Policy experts say Obamacare would collapse under that plan.
Full SNAP Payments Remain On Hold While Congress Works On Funding Bill
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Supreme Court’s emergency ruling will expire by midnight Thursday, giving the House and President Trump just days to approve and sign a measure that would fund the government.
HRT For Menopause Will No Longer Carry A ‘Black Box’ Warning
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
The FDA issued the announcement Monday. Commissioner Marty Makary said the warnings were based on outdated science. Scroll down to our Editorials and Opinions section to read the story.
Cancer Scientist Richard Pazdur Picked As FDA’s Top Drug Regulator
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Pazdur will head the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, replacing George Tidmarsh. Other pharma news is on telehealth prescriptions for certain controlled substances, health information privacy related to wearable devices and mobile health apps, and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Readers Take Congress to Task and Offer Their Own Health Policy Fixes
November 12, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
