Study Links Marijuana Dependence To Nearly Three Times Higher Death Rate
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
A new study found significantly higher death rates among ER patients diagnosed with cannabis use disorder than for those without. Separately in California, officials boosted safety testing of marijuana sold in the state. Also in the news: the fentanyl crisis, autism tests, and pilots’ brain injuries.
After ‘Abortion’ Was Wiped From CDC Website, Users Now Get ‘Adoption’ Info
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The change was made while federal health care webpages were taken offline. Reproductive health workers call it a “clear attempt” to change the messaging around pregnancy. Meanwhile, health care centers and clinics nationwide are making tough calls after the White House instituted a funding freeze.
Pandemic Response Unit Will Be Led By Bird Flu Expert Gerald Parker
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The veterinarian brings decades of experience after serving as a top U.S. health aide, HHS principal deputy assistant secretary for preparedness and response, and commander at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Bloomberg reports.
Again Targeting DEI, Trump Orders End To ‘Anti-Christian Bias’ In Government
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Attorney General Pam Bondi, the chief law enforcement officer in the U.S., will lead a task force to spearhead the effort, The New York Times reported. In related news about diversity, equity, and inclusion, the NCAA has banned trans women from women’s sports, saying that the president’s order “provides a clear, national standard.”
Hospitals Ended 2024 On A Healthy Note With Improved Operating Margins
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
“While it’s encouraging to see continued stability in hospitals’ financial well-being over the past 12 months, historically slim margins indicate hospitals are not yet in a fully sustainable position,” an advisory firm executive says. Also in the news: a receivership order for Crozer Health, and more.
Texas Mental Health Program Waitlists 900 Kids Due To Lack Of Funding
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Waiver program serves as an alternative to foster care, but stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates have lead to provider shortages. Other news from around the nation comes from Florida, Maryland, and Colorado.
Scientists Zero In On When Cells Turn Cancerous, Devise Process To Reverse It
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a trial on colon cancer cells, researchers found that at the moment of critical transition — when cancer and normal cells coexist — they were able to flip the molecular switch that allowed normal cells to recover. Also, an early phase trial on a cancer vaccine is showing promise.
Morning Briefing for Friday, February 7, 2025
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Talk to us. We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies — whether you’re currently working or have recently left — who believe the public should understand the impact of what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please get in touch: https://kffhealthnews.org/hhs-tips/ , or contact reporter Arthur Allen directly by email or Signal, the encrypted messaging app, at ArthurA@kff.org or 202-365-6116.
Project 2025 Co-Author Takes Reins At OMB; Thousands At HHS May Lose Jobs
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Senate confirmed Russell Vought on Thursday to lead the Office of Management and Budget, which he also led during President Donald Trump’s first term. Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York called Vought a “danger” to Americans. Meanwhile, a judge has temporarily halted Trump’s plan to force out federal workers by offering them financial incentives, AP says.
First Edition: Friday, Feb. 7, 2025
February 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies — whether you’re currently working or have recently left — who believe the public should understand the impact of what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please get in touch: https://kffhealthnews.org/hhs-tips/ , or contact reporter Arthur Allen directly by email or Signal, the encrypted messaging app, at ArthurA@kff.org or 202-365-6116.
Nueva ley ofrece atención médica a jóvenes que salen de la cárcel
By Renuka Rayasam
February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A pesar de la alta tasa de problemas de salud mental y trastornos por adicciones en esta población, muchas veces regresan a sus comunidades sin cobertura, lo que aumenta sus posibilidades de morir o sufrir una recaídas.
Measles Outbreak Mounts Among Children in One of Texas’ Least Vaccinated Counties
By Amy Maxmen
Updated February 12, 2025
Originally Published February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
With hospitalizations and at least nine confirmed cases, health officials race to contain a growing outbreak in a community with low vaccination.
Some Incarcerated Youths Will Get Health Care After Release Under New Law
By Renuka Rayasam
Illustration by Oona Zenda
February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
It’s common for young people leaving jails and prisons to end up back behind bars, often after lapses related to untreated mental health issues or substance abuse. A new law is aimed at getting them on Medicaid before they’re released. But the government coordination required to make it happen is significant.
On the Front Lines Against Bird Flu, Egg Farmers Say They’re Losing the Battle
By Kate Wells, Michigan Public
February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Tools used to contain previous bird flu outbreaks aren’t working this time, experts say. The virus has sickened at least 67 people in the U.S. and killed one, with egg producers begging for a new approach. “I call this virus a terrorist,” said one egg farmer, who lost 6.5 million birds to H5N1 in two weeks.
Crece brote de sarampión en uno de los condados menos vacunados de Texas
By Amy Maxmen
February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Profesionales de salud pública advierten que estos brotes se volverán más comunes: decenas de leyes en todo Estados Unidos, pendientes y aprobadas, podrían seguir reduciendo las tasas de vacunación.
En la primera línea contra la gripe aviar, productores de huevos dicen que están perdiendo la batalla
By Kate Wells, Michigan Public
February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Controlar este virus se ha vuelto más difícil, precisamente porque está tan arraigado en el entorno global, contagiando a mamíferos como vacas lecheras y afectando a unos 150 millones de aves en gallineros comerciales y domésticos en Estados Unidos.
Share Your HHS Story With Us
February 6, 2025
Page
Do you have an experience related to reductions in the Department of Health and Human Services workforce that you’d like to share with KFF Health News? Tell us here.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Chaos Continues in Federal Health System
February 6, 2025
Podcast
The Senate has yet to confirm a Health and Human Services secretary, but things around the department continue to change at a breakneck pace to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Payment systems have been shut down, webpages and entire datasets have been taken offline, and workers — including those with civil service protections — have been urged to quit or threatened with layoffs. Meanwhile, foreign and trade policy changes are also affecting health policy. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Julie Appleby, who reported the latest “Bill of the Month” feature, about a young woman, a grandfathered health plan, and a $14,000 IUD.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
