Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 10, 2025
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
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Fate Of Medicaid Cuts Unclear After House Pauses Budget Resolution Vote
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare reported that the measure was abandoned Wednesday because a few conservative Republicans had reservations. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he’d try to hold a vote today before the House goes on a two-week recess.
Maternal Health Under Siege As Study Shows Mortality Rate Up 27% in US
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The NIH analysis saw the increase over five years and called the issue “an urgent public health priority.” Almost one-third of the pregnancy-related deaths took place between six weeks to a year after giving birth. Meanwhile, the entire team behind a key CDC dataset for OB-GYN research has been cut as part of the administration’s downsizing of federal health agencies.
Pharmaceutical Tariffs, Still Promised, Would Hurt Americans, Experts Warn
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Such tariffs could cause drug shortages and added costs for consumers, they say. For example, an assessment by The Budget Lab at Yale found that a 25% tariff would raise pharmaceutical prices by an average of 15%. House representatives have warned the move could backfire and drive manufacturers to “cheaper foreign markets.”
In Interview, Kennedy Says He Is ‘Not Familiar’ With $11 Billion In HHS Cuts
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Speaking to CBS News’ chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated the HHS cuts were mainly “DEI cuts.” Other topics discussed in the interview were food additives, weight loss drugs, and measles.
Idaho’s ‘Medical Freedom’ Law Bans School, Business Vaccine Mandates
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Under the law, which goes into effect July 1, state entities may not require medical interventions as a condition for school attendance or business employment. Texas is pursuing similar legislation. Meanwhile, measles continues to spread across the nation.
Trump Wants $45B To Build Immigrant Lockups That Have Little Medical Care
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports that detention centers under contract don’t have to meet the same standards for detainee care that the government typically abides by. The new centers likely wouldn’t include comprehensive medical care, such as access to mental health services. Plus: Recent federal funding cuts have left about 600 immigrant children in Pennsylvania without legal aid.
First Edition: Thursday, April 10, 2025
April 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Tácticas migratorias de Trump obstaculizan esfuerzos para evitar una pandemia de gripe aviar, dicen investigadores
By Amy Maxmen
April 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Los trabajadores de las industrias láctea y avícola han representado la mayoría de los casos de gripe aviar en el país, y prevenir y detectar los casos entre ellos es clave para evitar una pandemia.
Tax Time Triggers Fraud Alarms for Some Obamacare Enrollees
By Julie Appleby
April 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Consumers who were enrolled fraudulently in Affordable Care Act coverage could receive unexpected tax bills — the first and possibly only clue they were a victim of fraud. Getting help may become difficult as federal workers are laid off and funding for assistance programs is cut.
Misinformation About Fentanyl Exposure Threatens To Undermine Overdose Response
By Henry Larweh
April 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Fentanyl overdoses occur from ingesting the synthetic opioid. But popular culture has misrepresented the risks to first responders.
Trump’s Immigration Tactics Obstruct Efforts To Avert Bird Flu Pandemic, Researchers Say
By Amy Maxmen
April 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Preventing and detecting bird flu infections among farmworkers is a key defense against a potential pandemic. Immigration raids and threats have undermined these efforts, researchers say.
Alabama Lawmakers Pass PBM Rules To Help Curb Small Pharmacy Closures
April 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
The new regulations would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse independent pharmacists at least at the state Medicaid rate for prescription drugs. More news comes from Arizona, California, and Maine.
Scientists ID Mixture Of Food Additives That May Increase Diabetes Risk
April 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
A study suggests that when some ingredients are consumed together, the risk of Type 2 diabetes may increase, irrespective of how healthy a diet the subject had overall. Also, a separate study suggests that Type 2 diabetes can mimic early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
‘Major’ Tariffs On Pharmaceutical Products Are Coming, Trump Vows
April 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
In an effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., the president signaled that the pharmaceutical industry won’t be spared from tariffs. Meanwhile, concern is growing in the pharmaceutical sector that drug reviews and other key functions of the FDA may be slowed in light of cuts at the agency.
Pennsylvania’s Crozer Health Will Close Unless It Receives $9M By Today
April 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
A deal must be made by 4 p.m., said an attorney for Prospect Medical Holdings, which owns Taylor Hospital and Crozer-Chester Medical Center. If not, Prospect will pursue a closure motion in court and the hospitals will go on diversion — sending ambulances to other hospitals — starting Thursday.
