White House Requests 26% Cut To HHS’ Discretionary Budget
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
The massive cuts would apply to the 2026 fiscal year, which starts in October. As Stat reports, requests such as this are rarely passed by Congress without major changes.
Trump Eyes Drugmakers’ Medicaid Revenues As One Way To Fund Tax Cuts
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Other Medicaid news is on the effort to push back against Medicaid cuts and a warning from one House Republican. Also: a plan to reopen Alcatraz; children’s rights as part of the deportation debate; and more.
First Edition: Monday, May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An Arm and a Leg: Why ‘The Pitt’ Is Our Fave New Drama
By Dan Weissmann
May 5, 2025
Podcast
An emergency room doctor says what the TV show “The Pitt” gets right about hospitals, including why they’re so crowded and the bills so high.
Trump Team’s $500 Million Bet on Old Vaccine Technology Puzzles Scientists
By Arthur Allen
May 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s HHS said an enormous, noncompetitive flu vaccine development grant to two favored NIH leaders would ensure “transparency, effectiveness, and comprehensive preparedness.” But their vaccine is in early stages, relies on old technology, and is just one of scores of similar efforts.
Alabama Can’t Prosecute Groups Helping Patients Get Abortions Elsewhere, Judge Rules
By Drew Hawkins, Gulf States Newsroom
May 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Although most abortions remain illegal in Alabama, a judge’s decision in early April allows doctors and advocacy groups to tell patients about abortion options in other states, and help with travel and other costs.
Journalists Explore Medicaid Work Rules, CDC Layoffs, and RFK Jr.’s ‘MAHA’ Mission
May 3, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national or local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
In Reversal, FDA Rehires Staff Tasked With Releasing Public Records
By Rachana Pradhan
May 2, 2025
KFF Health News Original
At least some workers who process public records in response to Freedom of Information Act requests have been reinstated, agency employees say.
Work Requirements Might Cut Medicaid Spending. But at What Cost?
By Renuka Rayasam Sam Whitehead
May 2, 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
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on Agent Orange, aging, weight loss, and more.
Aetna Is Leaving ACA Marketplace
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
A million Affordable Care Act enrollees across 17 states will have to find alternate coverage in 2026. Separately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services now has a center to fight waste, fraud, and abuse. Also, the Milken Institute is creating a Women’s Health Network to study women’s issues.
CVS Chooses Novo Over Lilly, As Top GLP-1 Drugs Face Off Over Prices
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
Eli Lilly & Co. and Novo Nordisk A/S are competing for drug contracts in the aftermath of drug price scrutiny. Novo has managed to secure a contract with CVS, beating out its competitor. Other news is on cost-cutting; the fallout of tariffs; the quality of compounding pharmacies; and more.
Child Safety Net Research Faces HHS Cuts, According To Divulged Document
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
More than 150 research projects at the Administration for Children and Families — including for studies of Head Start and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program — were listed for cancellation on a spreadsheet mistakenly emailed to grant recipients.
Kennedy Plans To Ask CDC To Create New Measles Treatment Guidance
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
According to CBS News, the new guidance he is requesting is to include existing drugs, vitamins, and other modalities. In other news: RFK Jr. renews the disproved claim of aborted fetal cells in vaccines; measles infections have reached Canada and Mexico; and more.
Delayed Medicaid Payments Force Hospitals To Make Tough Decisions
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been unusually slow at processing state-directed payments, leading hospitals to withhold their own payments to medical suppliers and to trim staff. Plus, a look at the wrangling over Medicaid changes on Capitol Hill.
NY Eases Requirements To Forcibly Hospitalize Those With Mental Illness
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
New York state will now authorize first responders to involuntarily hospitalize New Yorkers who cannot meet their own basic needs such as food, shelter, or medical care. Other news comes from Texas, Florida, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Michigan.
New 400-Page HHS Report Condemns Gender-Affirming Care For Youths
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
It’s unclear who wrote the report, which snubs the advice and recommendations of top medical groups. It was immediately criticized by pediatric groups and transgender rights advocates.
Morning Briefing for Friday, May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
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First Edition: Friday, May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
