Sacklers Increase Purdue Settlement Offer, With An Added Condition
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports that the tentative $7.4 billion agreement with 15 states would also require those states to set aside as much as $800 million in what amounts to a legal defense fund for the Sackler family. Other pharmaceutical news is on Prime Therapeutics, a potential norovirus vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, and more.
Clinical Trial Diversity Caught In Crossfire Of Trump’s Ban On DEI
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
In the rush to get rid of all FDA website pages referencing diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Trump administration has removed many drug and medical device trials that include people of different ethnic and economic backgrounds. The move could affect how drugs and medical devices are tested. Other news is on Senate hearings, VA affairs, immigration, and more.
Meta’s Facebook, Instagram Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Content
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The posts and accounts that were obscured or removed were restored after The New York Times started asking questions. Meta cites its policy against selling pharmaceutical drugs on its platforms without proper certification and acknowledged some “over-enforcement.” Meanwhile, some states are proposing legislation that would classify abortion as a homicide, potentially leading to charges against patients.
Trump Pardons 23 Abortion Protesters; Vance To Attend March For Life Today
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump, who is traveling today, is scheduled to address the crowd through a video message. The rally, in its 52nd year, is expected to bring an estimated 150,000 marchers and will end at the Capitol. Organizers plan to focus their attention on state-level abortion battles.
UnitedHealth Group Chooses Tim Noel To Replace Slain CEO
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Noel most recently led UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare division — one of the company’s most profitable lines of health insurance, Stat reported. Meanwhile, a new report says slaying suspect Luigi Mangione had complained about suffering physical and psychological injuries at his fraternity.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 24, 2025
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Stay tuned for our new weekly edition, The Week in Brief, coming today . Each Friday, we’ll give you a fresh take on one of our top stories. Plus, we’ll recap our social media coverage and our award-winning KFF Health News journalism. Don’t miss out — sign up here !
US To Leave World Health Organization Next January; WHO Unveils Cost Cuts
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post explains how the moves could alter global health and politics. Meanwhile, WHO leaders insist there is time to negotiate with the United States.
First Edition: Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Program To Close Insurance Gaps for Native Americans Has Gone Largely Unused
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
January 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Health leaders say a tool to boost medical coverage for Native Americans, a population that has long faced worse health outcomes than the rest of the nation, has been underused by many states and tribes since it was written into the Affordable Care Act more than a decade ago.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Creating Chaos at HHS
January 23, 2025
Podcast
President Donald Trump was sworn in Monday and by Wednesday had virtually stopped scientific policymaking at the Department of Health and Human Services. While incoming administrations often pause public communications, the acting HHS head ordered an unprecedented shutdown of all outside meetings, travel, and publications. Meanwhile, Trump issued a broad array of mostly nonbinding executive orders, but notably none directly concerning abortion. Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Rodney Whitlock, a former congressional staffer, who explains the convoluted “budget reconciliation” process Republicans hope to use to enact Trump’s agenda.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Viewpoints: US Withdrawal From WHO Could Lead To Positive Reform; Claim Appeals Are A Real Pain
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss the following public health issues.
Colorado Sees Slowdown In Number Of Babies Born With Syphilis
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Colorado Sun reports that testing might be behind the slowdown: The state issued an order in 2024 requiring syphilis testing to be more widely available. Other news from across the nation comes out of Missouri, New York, California, Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania.
Study Suggests That People With ADHD May Have Shorter Life Expectancies
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The research, published Thursday in The British Journal of Psychiatry, found that, on average, women with ADHD die nine years earlier than the general population. Among men, the difference is seven years. Other public health news is on online sexual exploitation of kids, menopause, and more.
Illinois Planned Parenthood Closing Four Clinics, Citing Financial Trouble
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Illinois is one of just a few abortion havens for the Midwest and South. Meanwhile, Oakland, California, is now home to the largest Planned Parenthood in the U.S.; Michigan’s governor signs legislation allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control pills; and more.
RFK Jr. Shifts Vaccine Stance In Effort To Win Senate Confirmation
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The staunch anti-vaccine activist is rebranding himself as “pro-vaccine safety,” according to Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn, a move that may sway GOP senators’ votes. Other news includes Kennedy’s investments into biotech companies and the potential conflicts of interest; previous work with anti-vaccine nonprofits; and more.
All Refugees Are Blocked From US, Despite Already Being Approved
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Thousands of people seeking safe haven from persecution — including hundreds of family members of U.S. troops and also Afghan allies who helped the U.S. during the war — were left stranded after the Trump administration suspended flights as part of a promised crackdown on immigration. Meanwhile, some hospitals and schools vow to continue to help undocumented immigrants.
Federal DEI Websites Taken Down; All DEI Workers Placed On Paid Leave
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The blackout happened after the Office of Personnel Management ordered all agencies — including CMS and the NIH — to remove “all outward facing media” related to diversity, equity, and inclusion by 5 p.m. Wednesday. In other news about race and health, a proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair-straightening products used by many Black women is in limbo.
Cumbersome Claim Policies Irk Health Care Providers: ‘Everything Is A Fight’
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare looks at the measures health insurance companies are using for reviews, including one that would charge providers who appeal rejected claims. Also in the news: fee inequality, anesthesia investments, health system layoffs, and more.
Trump’s OMB Nominee Voices Support For Medicaid Work Requirements
January 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The comments hint at the potential for a broad overhaul coming from the Trump administration in terms of how the federal government administers Medicaid, The New York Times reports. Also, several of President Donald Trump’s picks for the EPA have potential conflicts of interest.
