Journalists Address HHS Under Trump, Rural PFAS Contamination, and Bird Flu
January 11, 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.
Doctors, Nurses Press Ahead as Wildfires Strain Los Angeles’ Health Care
By Bernard J. Wolfson Molly Castle Work Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times
January 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A primary care clinic burned, medical offices closed, and hospitals struggled with possible evacuations. The wildfires that have incinerated large swaths of Los Angeles County are stressing the region’s health care infrastructure. Still, providers continue to find ways to deliver vital care.
Médicos y enfermeras siguen haciendo su trabajo, mientras los incendios jaquean el sistema de salud de Los Ángeles
By Bernard J. Wolfson Molly Castle Work Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times
January 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Los incendios que se propagan rápidamente y han transformado gran parte del condado de Los Ángeles en un infierno están poniendo a prueba a hospitales, clínicas de salud, socorristas y hogares de adultos mayores.
In Ranking Of 30 Nations, US Had More Overdose Deaths Than Anyone
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, came in second on the list from the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund, and Scotland was third. One possible reason given for the United States’ ranking is that America has a larger supply of fentanyl than the other countries listed, The Hill noted.
FDA Urged To Get A Better Handle On Food Facility Inspections
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Government Accountability Office found a significant drop-off in inspections during the pandemic. The FDA says inspector understaffing has hampered efforts to meet its targets. Separately, the VA has added more cancers to its list of ailments eligible for expedited claims.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on aging, autoimmune diseases, Zyn, CES 2025, and more.
Federal Judge Rolls Back Protections For Transgender Students Nationwide
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
While the Biden administration viewed the regulation as protecting the rights of trans students, opponents saw it as harming girls and women who might object to sharing a bathroom with a transgender person, The Washington Post reports. Plus: Meta’s policy change will allow dehumanizing speech against LGBTQ+ people.
In Letter To Senate, 15,000 Doctors Say They’re ‘Appalled’ By RFK Jr. Pick
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
They strongly urged U.S. senators to reject Robert Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department. “His appointment is a direct threat to … the public,” the letter said. In other news: Donald Trump might be trying to pin a public health threat on immigrants in order to build a case for closing the border.
States With Abortion Restrictions Are Losing Young, Educated Population
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, the New Mexico Supreme Court unanimously voted to protect abortion rights; a new program in Washington allows pharmacists to prescribe abortion pills via telehealth; medical students in Texas create AI abortion care training; and more.
Hazardous Air Quality Is Taking A Toll On Californians Caught Near Wildfires
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Emergency room doctors report waves of patients with breathing problems as smoke increases fine particulates in the air. Health officials also are monitoring the potential mental health toll wildfires can take on people directly exposed to the disaster.
Med Schools See Steep Drop In Black, Hispanic Enrollees After Court Ruling
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Stat reports that the number of Black enrollees fell by 11.6% compared to last year, and the number of Hispanic enrollees fell 10.8%. Also in the news: UnitedHealth Group, Amedisys, Prospect Medical, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, health reimbursement arrangements, and more.
First Edition: Friday, Jan. 10, 2025
January 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Health Care AI, Intended To Save Money, Turns Out To Require a Lot of Expensive Humans
By Darius Tahir
January 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Despite the hype over artificial intelligence in medicine, the systems require consistent monitoring and staffing to put in place and maintain. Checking whether an algorithm has developed the software equivalent of a blown gasket can be complicated — and expensive.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': New Year, New Congress, New Health Agenda
January 9, 2025
Podcast
Health is unlikely to be a top priority for the new GOP-led 119th Congress and President-elect Donald Trump. But it’s likely to play a key supporting role, with an abortion bill already scheduled for debate in the Senate. Meanwhile, it’s unclear when and how the new Congress will deal with the bipartisan bills jettisoned from the previous Congress’ year-end omnibus measure — including a major deal to rein in the power of pharmacy benefit managers. In this “catch up on all the news you missed” episode, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.
Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
January 9, 2025
KFF Health News Original
“Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KFF Health News newsroom to the airwaves each week.
UM Health-Sparrow Workers Threaten To Strike After Contract Talks Stall
January 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Nurses and other health care workers in Michigan want increased wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions. The five-day strike will start Jan. 20. More industry news is about Blue Shield of California restructuring, a Molina-Innovive partnership, AMD’s investment in Absci, and more.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
January 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
