Health Care Likely To Get Burned By Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, China
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Trade groups are urging the administration to consider the impact on patient care and are pushing for exemptions to the tariffs. Also in the news: Pfizer might move production to the U.S. to combat pharmaceutical tariffs.
First Edition: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC Firings Undermine Public Health Work Far Beyond Washington
By Rachana Pradhan
March 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Trump administration’s sudden firings have gutted training programs across the nation that bolstered state and local public health departments.
Years Later, Centene Settlements With States Still Unfinished
By Andy Miller
March 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
At least 20 states have settled disputes with health insurance giant Centene since 2021 over allegations that its pharmacy benefit manager operation overcharged their Medicaid programs. Two holdouts appear to remain: Georgia has not yet settled, and Florida officials won’t answer questions about its Centene situation.
Por qué los despidos en salud pública ponen en peligro a todos
By Rachana Pradhan
March 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
La decisión de la administración Trump de despedir repentinamente a empleados de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades destruyó los programas de capacitación a lo largo del país
UnitedHealth Wins Ruling Over $2B in Alleged Medicare Advantage Overpayments
By Fred Schulte
March 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A special master found the Justice Department failed to prove wrongdoing by the giant health insurer.
Trump Vowed To End Surprise Medical Bills. The Office Working on That Just Got Slashed.
By Noam N. Levey
Updated March 5, 2025
Originally Published March 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Trump administration’s first round of sweeping staff cuts to federal agencies eliminated dozens of positions at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, which is tasked with implementing the No Surprises Act.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s stories are on the “Man with the Golden Arm”; a new bird flu detector; a stethoscope that detects heart failure early; concussion management; and more.
Sutter Health Settles Lawsuit Alleging System Sought Monopoly In California
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Northern California residents and businesses accused Sutter of leveraging all-or-nothing contracts to drive up costs. Additional news is about Walgreens, UnitedHealth Group, Mayo Clinic, the annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference, and more.
Feds Might Withdraw Lawsuit Over Louisiana Plant’s Toxic Emissions
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Biden administration sued Japanese firm Denka in 2023 after the EPA determined the plant was releasing unsafe levels of chloroprene. Also: A look at President Donald Trump’s speech tonight to Congress, Trump’s NIH and FDA nominees, and the media’s exclusion from a health conference.
Top HHS Spokesperson Thomas Corry Resigns Over Measles Dispute
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Corry handed in his resignation after just two weeks on the job as the assistant secretary for public affairs, Politico reported. Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren takes RFK Jr. to task regarding his vaccine policies.
Carcinogens, Lead Found In Synthetic Hair Popular Among Black Women
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Consumer Reports published its study findings related to products used in braids, extensions, and other hairstyles. Other news from the intersection of race and health is on the barriers to care faced by Black pediatric patients, high maternity costs faced by Black and Hispanic patients, and more.
Ga. Senate Passes 2 Bills Restricting Gender Care For Minors, Prisoners
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
The measures advanced with some support from Democrats, AP reports. Meanwhile, a bill to restrict transgender athletes from playing in women’s and girls’ sports failed to advance in the U.S. Senate. Other news is from Florida, Arizona, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Hawaii, and California.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 4, 2025
March 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.
HHS Opens Up Early Retirement For Employees Amid Agency Downsizing
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Employees have 10 days to decide whether to take the voluntary early retirement. Meanwhile at the NIH, LGBTQ+ research funding has been stopped, while the Trump administration looks for ways to cut its funding for universities.
First Edition: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
March 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Law and Order or Bystander Safety? Police Chases Spotlight California’s Competing Priorities
By Don Thompson
March 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
California’s governor is pressuring Oakland to allow more police pursuits as part of a crackdown on crime. But more pursuits mean a greater risk to public health, with more potential injuries and deaths among bystanders. Policies in cities including New York and San Francisco reflect divergent local priorities.
