NH Is First Northeastern State To Ban Gender-Affirming Care For Minors
August 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
The bills take effect Jan. 1 and include a “grandfather clause” for minors already receiving treatment. In another first, Colorado is the first blue state to push through rules limiting SNAP participants’ ability to buy soda. Other news comes from New Jersey, Florida, Georgia, California, and more.
‘Very Hopeful’: New Data Show Teen Suicide, Depression Are Declining
August 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
NPR reports that a new federal report, however, found that the percentage of adults with suicidal thoughts and attempts remained about the same between 2021 and 2024. Also: ChatGPT, the stress of grocery prices, colon cancer screenings, and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025
August 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
New Medicaid Federal Work Requirements Mean Less Leeway for States
By Katheryn Houghton Bram Sable-Smith
August 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
More than a dozen states are seeking their own versions of Medicaid work requirements. But the incoming federal standards pose questions around how much leeway states have to design their rules.
This Physician-Scientist Is Taking on Trump on Behalf of Disadvantaged Communities
By Don Thompson
August 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
California researcher Neeta Thakur is leading a challenge to President Donald Trump’s new administration — one that pits public health science against political ideology. Whether she prevails could influence both the future of academic research and the health of those she’s spent her life trying to help.
Medicaid: nuevo requisito federal de trabajo deja a estados sin mucho margen de maniobra
By Katheryn Houghton Bram Sable-Smith
August 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Algunos buscan modificaciones específicas a las nuevas normas para cada estado. Otros pretenden implementar los requisitos laborales antes de que la ley federal entre en vigencia a finales de 2026.
Majority Of US Adults Will Skip This Fall’s Covid-19 Shot, Survey Shows
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
As summer infections ramp up, we look at how vaccine recommendations have changed this year and how those changes might affect insurance coverage. Other news is about a possible listeria contamination in freeze-dried fruit, rising flesh-eating bacteria cases, and more.
NSF Doesn’t Have To Restart Research Funding Just Yet, Judge Rules
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
U.S. District Judge John Cronan in New York declined to grant a preliminary injunction on the funding freeze while the case is winding through the courts. Plus, President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act delays Medicare price negotiations for some top-selling drugs.
Hospice, Rehab, Psychiatry Set For Modest 2026 Medicare Rate Increase
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
The pay increases, which range from 2.5% to 2.6%, go into effect Oct. 1. Today’s health industry news also covers an efficiency effort among hospitals, agentic AI technology, and more.
Trump Intimidated Hospitals To End Trans Youth Care, States’ Suit Alleges
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
The lawsuit was filed Friday by attorneys general from 15 states and the District of Columbia, plus the governor of Pennsylvania. It comes on the heels of at least eight major hospitals announcing restrictions on gender-affirming care for people under 19. Meanwhile, UI Health in Chicago suspended gender-affirming surgeries for youths.
Respiratory Infections Can Bring Breast Cancer Out Of Remission, Study Shows
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers have found that common viruses, like covid and the flu, can reactivate dormant breast cancer cells. In other news: Johnson & Johnson launches “The 3rd Opinion” initiative to empower patients; nail clubbing may indicate advanced lung cancer; and more.
A Dose Of Good News: FDA Approves Implant For Rheumatoid Arthritis
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
More inspiring news is on low-dose radiation therapy, diabetes, wearables, dementia, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, August 4, 2025
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies about what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please message us on Signal at (415) 519-8778 or get in touch here.
First Edition: Monday, Aug. 4, 2025
August 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Work Requirements and Red Tape Ahead for Millions on Medicaid
By Jess Mador, WABE
August 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Work requirements are coming for the millions of Americans on Medicaid, due to the Republican tax and spend bill that President Donald Trump signed into law July 4. Currently, Georgia is the only state with a work requirement. Eligible Georgians say it’s very hard to get the system to confirm they qualify, putting their benefits at risk.
Sorting Out Covid Vaccine Confusion: New and Conflicting Federal Policies Raise Questions
By Michelle Andrews
August 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Should you get vaccinated? Will your insurer pay for it? And will you still be able to find a vaccine? KFF Health News tries to sort out where things stand.
Aclarando la confusión sobre las vacunas contra covid-19
By Michelle Andrews
August 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Las agencias dentro del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Sociales responsables de especificar quién debe vacunarse no están necesariamente sincronizadas, emitiendo recomendaciones en apariencia contradictorias.
Journalists Distill $50B Rural Health Fund and Newsmaking Diagnoses
August 2, 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.
Cosmetic Surgery Chains Are on the Rise. So Are Allegations of Injury and Death.
By Fred Schulte
August 1, 2025
KFF Health News Original
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