Trump Administration Set to Link Acetaminophen To Autism: Report
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports that the Trump administration will highlight research showing a possible autism link to ingestion of common drugs like Tylenol during pregnancy. Officials will also tout the drug leucovorin as a potential treatment for autism. Other federal government news reports on hunger, drug costs, geriatrics, and more.
Judge Orders Missouri To Recast Ballot Summary For Anti-Abortion Measure
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green rejected the GOP-written summary, reasoning that the description is insufficient and would be confusing to voters. Abortion rights activists’ requests to block the amendment were denied.
AI Model Holds Promise For Autism Assessment, Brain Mapping
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers hope the new model can help toward improving backlogged assessment pathways. Other news is on the reporting of hospital-acquired infections, long covid among older adults, a drug trial for late-stage breast cancer, and more.
With Wegovy Pill Coming Soon, Its Maker Seeks To Regain Industry Lead
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Novo Nordisk is poised to shake up the weight loss medication landscape again next year with the first-to-market pill. But pharmaceutical competitors are on its heels. Other health industry news reports on telehealth, hospital rankings, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, September 22, 2025
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Medicaid cuts, changes to vaccine recommendations, ACA subsidies, autism, AI in health, abortion ballot measures, and more.
CDC Vaccine Advisory Panel Abandons Universal Covid Shot Recommendation
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
The panel had previously supported an annual covid vaccine shot for anyone 6 months and older. Now, after a unanimous vote, the panel says it is up to individuals to choose. Meanwhile, ACIP put off a vote on whether newborns should get a dose of the hepatitis B shot.
GOP Mulls Modifying ACA Tax Credits — And Then Extending Them
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Although a federal shutdown looms, Axios reports Republican leaders as saying that any extension of the subsidies would not be part of stopgap legislation to keep the government open into November. Other news is on telehealth and hospital-at-home programs, Medicaid work requirements, and more.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 22, 2025
September 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit
By Bram Sable-Smith Sarah Jane Tribble
September 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
North Carolina and Idaho are cutting their Medicaid programs to bridge budget gaps, raising fears that providers will stop taking patients and that hospitals will close even before the brunt of a new federal tax-and-budget law takes effect.
Journalists Follow the Fallout of CDC Director’s Firing and Trump’s Health Policies
September 21, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Mercury in Your Hot Dog? Vaccine Skeptics Face Their Limits at Crucial CDC Meeting
By Arthur Allen Renuka Rayasam
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meeting on vaccines pitted scientific expertise against vaccine skepticism. An often confusing debate ended with critics of the current vaccine schedule tabling a vote to remove one of its cornerstones.
Disability Bias Complaints Peak as the Office That Investigates Them Is Gutted
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on obesity, weight loss, terminal cancer, natural childbirth, and more.
Where Do Docs Get Paid The Most? Rochester, Minn., Home Of Mayo Clinic
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Physicians in the Rochester metro area make $495,532 a year on average. This was the first year Doximity included Rochester in its annual rankings, MPR News reported, after expanding its analysis from the top 50 most populous metro areas to the top 60.
Despite New Texas Law, Abortion Pill Providers Refuse To Obey In Advance
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Wednesday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that allows residents to sue someone they suspect of manufacturing, distributing, or mailing abortion medication into the state. In response, out-of-state providers have vowed to continue providing care.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 19, 2025
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Behind on your reading? Catch up on this week's KFF Health News stories with The Week in Brief, delivered every Friday to your inbox. Sign up here !
Vaccine Panel Proposes Splitting MMR, Varicella Shots For Kids Under 4
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The recommendation stems from data that indicate young children have a small risk for febrile seizures. Public health experts question the motive behind the change, with one noting: “This feels like using a known, disclosed, managed risk to undermine confidence in the entire schedule.” Next up for ACIP review: hepatitis B, and vaccines given during pregnancy.
US Shifts Strategy On Global Health Aid
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
After dismantling the United States Agency for International Development, the State Department will turn to multi-year bilateral agreements that require recipient nations to pony up funds for health initiatives while meeting “performance benchmarks.” Plus, the HHS overhaul remains blocked.
Fight Over ACA Subsidies Will Decide Fate Of Stopgap Funding Bill In House
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The House will vote today. The Republican measure would fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats say Congress won’t have the votes to get the bill passed unless it addresses health care policies. High on Democrats’ priority list is an extension of ACA subsidies, which would cost the government roughly $350 billion, the CBO estimates.
