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
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
CMS Reportedly Will Allow Voluntary Coverage Of Weight Loss Drugs
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post says it has obtained documents that detail the five-year experiment involving state Medicaid programs and Medicare Part D plans. Plus: CMS has bumped up Medicare payments for inpatient services and long-term care.
California To Drop Health Insurance Of DACA Recipients Due To Policy Changes
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Covered California said it will end coverage of more than 2,300 DACA enrollees by Aug. 31. In other state news: Wildfire smoke wreaks havoc on the Midwest; measles cases grow; and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on parenting, mental health, nutrition and fitness, the screwworm, and more.
Pharma Companies Have 60 Days To Lower Drug Prices In US, Trump Says
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
In line with President Donald Trump’s “most favored nation” model, letters were sent Thursday to 17 of the world’s biggest drug companies demanding price cuts for Americans and direct-to-consumer sales options. Meanwhile, the administration is testing the efficacy of a rebate system for safety-net providers that participate in 340B rather than discounting prices upfront.
Trump Withholds Millions In Medical Research Funding From UCLA
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
The administration has accused the University of California, Los Angeles of continuing to engage in race discrimination. Separately, a Senate Appropriations Committee voted in favor of increasing the NIH budget by $400 million.
CDC Tells Outside Experts Their Input On Vaccine Policy Is No Longer Needed
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Subcommittee members who offer policy recommendations have been excluded from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ working groups. Other news is about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on preventive care and vaccine harm, lower kindergarten vaccine rates, and more.
Another Bonus Of Weight Loss Drugs: They May Prevent Erectile Dysfunction
August 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers saw significant increases in testosterone levels for men with obesity or Type 2 diabetes while taking GLP-1 medications, The Hill wrote. Also in the news: vaping, PFAS, junk food, and more.