Morning Briefing for Wednesday, February 26, 2025
February 26, 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.
House Barely Passes Budget Bill, Teeing Up Tough Talks On Medicaid
February 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Now that Republicans have taken steps to advance President Donald Trump’s tax cut goal, they must find ways to reduce spending elsewhere. The New York Times explores where potential cuts might be made and the effect it could have on states. Also, a look at cuts each district would see.
Trump Administration Ordered To Quickly Pay Billions In Foreign Aid
February 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
A federal judge gave the government two days to release funds that were cut off without warning on Jan. 20. In other Trump administration news: The CDC will stop processing data on transgender identity; DOGE staffers are resigning in protest; veterans’ health data might be at risk; and more.
President Trump Signs Executive Order Reinforcing Price Transparency Rules
February 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
The regulations were first issued in 2019 during Donald Trump’s first term. Also in news on health care costs: billions “wasted” in overturning claims denials, an inquiry into UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare billing practices, and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
February 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Los Angeles County Has Cut Homelessness, but Wildfires Threaten To Erase That Gain
By Angela Hart
February 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As Los Angeles recovers from historic wildfires, both previously unsheltered and chronically homeless people are facing even greater instability. Some lawmakers and providers argue now is the time to put in even more resources to maintain the progress the county and state have made in fighting the crisis.
Health Clinic Workers Brush Up on Constitutional Protections as Immigration Raids Loom
By Jackie Fortiér
February 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Clinic administrators describe anxiety about President Donald Trump’s move to allow immigration arrests inside health centers.
Trabajadores de clínicas comunitarias repasan protecciones constitucionales mientras se avecinan redadas de inmigración
By Jackie Fortiér
February 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Desde el regreso de Donald Trump a la Casa Blanca, el temor a las deportaciones masivas llevadas a cabo por el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos (ICE) se ha apoderado de las comunidades inmigrantes.
Brain ‘Pacemaker’ To Ease Parkinson’s Symptoms Earns FDA Approval
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The brain-computer interface technology uses an algorithm to adapt to an individual patient’s needs, improving on previous tech that provided constant electrical brain stimulation. Other news includes: antidepressants’ effect on dementia; red-light therapy; and more.
Elizabeth Holmes’ Blood-Testing Fraud Conviction Upheld By Appeals Court
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
She claimed that her company, Theranos, could run accurate and fast tests from blood drawn from a finger prick. She was convicted of fraud in 2022, and the ruling was upheld Monday by a federal appeals court. Also in the news: hospital security, UnitedHealth, Pfizer, BGR Group, and more.
Missourians With Disabilities Receive Inadequate Care, State Records Show
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
From 2017 through 2023, 2,682 people with developmental disabilities died in Missouri state care, the River City Journalism Fund reported. Also in state news: a cancer cluster is found in Texas; North Carolina will get four more mental health crisis centers; and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, February 25, 2025
February 25, 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.
Many Laid-Off FDA Workers Brought Back, While VA Fires 1,400 More
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The FDA has reportedly reinstated dozens of staffers who were let go and are involved with food and medical device safety. The VA has let go of 2,400 employees this month. Also in the news: FDA’s “healthy” label rule, NIH grant funding, and more.
Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To Abortion Clinic Buffer Zones
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The decision not to hear an appeal from abortion opponents lets a law stand that allows local governments to create demonstration-free areas around health care facilities. More abortion news comes from Washington, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.
High Court To Hear ACA Case In April; House Votes Today On Medicaid Cuts
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a surprising twist, the Trump administration said it will continue the Biden White House’s defense of the requirement that insurers cover certain preventive services, The Hill reported. Meanwhile, the House will vote today on a budget blueprint that proposes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid.
First Edition: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
With RFK Jr. in Charge, Supplement Makers See Chance To Cash In
By Arthur Allen
February 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The FDA is already limited in policing claims of health benefits by makers of supplements and herbal remedies — a $70 billion industry. Get ready for even less regulation.
Opioid Cash Grab: As Federal Funding Dries Up, States Turn to Settlement Money
By Aneri Pattani
February 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Nevada’s budget debate highlights how uncertainty over funding for federal safety net programs may lead some officials to turn to opioid settlement dollars to make up the difference.
Hospital Staff Injured, Police Officer Killed In Pennsylvania Shooting
February 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The attack happened Saturday when an armed man entered UPMC Memorial Hospital and took several staffers hostage in the ICU unit. The incident ended in a shootout that resulted in the death of a police officer and the alleged assailant. Also in the news: A.I. legislation; rural health care accessibility woes; and more.
