Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 24, 2025
September 24, 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.
Furloughed Federal Workers Reinstated Months After DOGE Cost-Cutting Blitz
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The General Services Administration says hundreds of employees have until Friday to accept return-to-work offers. Separately, University of California schools should have more than $500 million in research grants restored, a U.S. District judge in San Francisco has ruled. Plus, ACA subsidy talks.
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Amid Confusion Over US Vaccine Recommendations, States Try To ‘Restore Trust’
By Céline Gounder
September 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The decisions by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices matter, because insurers and federal programs rely on them, but they are not binding. States can follow the recommendations, or not.
She Had a Broken Arm, No Insurance — And a $97,000 Bill
By Katheryn Houghton
September 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Deborah Buttgereit knew piecing together the broken bone in her elbow would be expensive. But complications the doctor deemed a surprise, midsurgery, drove the total bill tens of thousands of dollars above the original estimate.
Trump Claims ‘No Downside’ to Avoiding Tylenol During Pregnancy. He’s Wrong.
By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact
September 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Doctors say acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, is safe to take during pregnancy. Other over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen aren’t recommended because they can harm fetal development. Untreated fever in pregnancy can pose maternal and fetal health risks.
Doctors May Qualify For Exemption From $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
An executive order released Friday stated that an application fee waiver may be approved by the Homeland Security secretary if hiring a specific worker would be deemed “in the national interest.” This comes after medical groups called out the potential risk to rural health care.
Minneapolis School Shooting Victim, 12, Improving After Being Shot In Head
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Seventh grader Sophia Forchas will soon leave an acute care ward and join an inpatient rehab program in what her family has called a “miraculous” recovery. Other news from around the nation comes from Florida, Illinois, Michigan, and Virginia.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s stories are on psychedelic mushrooms, robots, a new way to fix broken legs, and more.
After Cutting Billions In Aid, Trump To Spell Out His World Vision Today At UN
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The president has made it clear he wants little to do with much of the United Nations mandate, The New York Times reports. More administration news is on the FTC, “forever chemicals,” medical research, data sharing, and more.
CVS’ Omnicare Seeks Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Whistleblower Case
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
CVS Health subsidiary Omnicare, a pharmacy services provider for long-term care businesses, may explore a restructuring or sale. Also: the fight over who pays for GLP-1 weight loss drugs, AI device manufacturers’ payments to doctors, and more.
2nd Death Reported In Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak In Iowa
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Health officials are urging Marshall County residents to maintain clean water systems and seek medical attention if they show signs of infection. Health officials also are monitoring the New World screwworm nearing the U.S. border, a measles outbreak in Utah and Arizona, and valley fever in the Southwest.
Trump Ties Acetaminophen To Autism, A Link Roundly Panned By Health Pros
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The president advises that pregnant women should avoid Tylenol unless they cannot “tough it out.” The notion that the widely used pain reliever and fever reducer is harmful to developing fetuses is not based on science, say medical experts, autism groups, and the makers of Tylenol.
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As the Trump Administration and States Push Health Data Sharing, Familiar Challenges Surface
By Sarah Kwon
September 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Despite billions of tax dollars and two decades of effort invested in improving health care data sharing, Americans’ medical records often remain siloed, leading to duplicate testing, increased costs, and wasted time for patients and doctors.
‘Sick to My Stomach’: Trump Distorts Facts on Autism, Tylenol, and Vaccines, Scientists Say
By Amy Maxmen
September 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The White House’s autism announcement exaggerates links to Tylenol, misleads on vaccines, and sets back the field by ignoring decades of research, scientists say.
“Me hace sentir mal”: Científicos dicen que Trump distorsiona datos sobre el autismo, el Tylenol y las vacunas
By Amy Maxmen
September 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Expertos en autismo de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades no fueron consultados para el esperado anuncio de la Casa Blanca.
