Purdue Pharma, Sacklers Unveil New Settlement For OxyContin Lawsuits
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The plan put forth Tuesday could see the Sackler family pay up to $7 billion. Also in the news: Merck prepares to close its manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania; Optum Rx, which includes UnitedHealth Group, has dropped the reauthorization requirements for 80 drugs; and more.
FDA Puts Infant Formula Under The Scope In Search Of Harmful Chemicals
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The agency says it also will examine nutrients contained in formulas to ensure they “promote health and wellbeing during critical stages of development.” Meanwhile, as the White House saps the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, the HHS chief floats a plan to just let bird flu spread.
Lawmakers Look To ‘Site-Neutral’ Medicare Policies To Pay For Tax Cuts
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Site-neutral Medicare reimbursements for outpatient care could help with the health care spending cuts. But hospitals are against the plan, which would require health systems to charge the same prices for services whether they are performed in a hospital or another location.
Second Arrest Made In Texas Abortion Case
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
A medical assistant has been arrested in connection to a midwife who is accused of providing illegal abortions, reports AP. Also: Doctors plan to continue mailing abortion pills over state lines despite a recent indictment; Colorado plans to allow Medicaid coverage of abortion beginning in 2026; and more.
In First Wave Of 2,000 Planned Layoffs, Johns Hopkins Will Cut 200 In May
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The layoffs come in the wake of the institution losing $800 million in federal grants. Also in industry news: DispatchHealth, UnitedHealthcare, patient access to health test results, and more.
As Measles Cases Top 300, Health Official Warns Of Prolonged Outbreak
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Although Texas has expanded its capacity for testing people who are sick, officials are still struggling to convince folks to get vaccinated. If the outbreak lasts more than a year, the U.S. could lose its measles-free status. More news comes from Ohio, Florida, New Hampshire, California, and Indiana.
HIV Prevention At Risk In Latest Projected Federal Funding Cuts
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Department of Health and Human Services is considering drastically cutting the government’s funding for domestic HIV prevention. Meanwhile, experts worry that the days of rationing HIV drugs are back. Plus: more news on DOGE and funding cuts.
First Edition: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
March 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Tribal Health Leaders Say Medicaid Cuts Would Decimate Health Programs
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
March 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As Congress mulls significant cuts to Medicaid, Native American tribes are bracing for potentially devastating financial fallout. That’s because Medicaid is the largest third-party payer for Native American health programs, funding that has helped address chronic underfunding of the Indian Health Service.
Indiana Lawmakers Seek To Forbid Hospital Monopolies, but One Merger Fight Remains
By Samantha Liss
March 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Union Health has made a new bid to buy its only rival hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana. The system passed one hurdle after lawmakers watered down a bill that threatened the proposed deal. That means the merger will now face a likely showdown with Indiana’s new governor.
74% Of Teachers Report Seeing Kids Coming To School Hungry Monthly
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Axios reports on a new survey of 1,000 K-12 public school teachers, which also found that 78% of teachers reported they were concerned about food insecurity in the communities where they teach. Other nutrition news is on grass-fed beef and red dye No. 3. Also: Parkinson’s numbers are set to rise.
Texas Midwife Accused Of Providing Illegal Abortions
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
According to NBC News, this appears to be the first time a health care provider in Texas has been criminally charged since the state implemented the ban in 2022. Also in abortion news: A conservative lawyer has been forced out of the FDA for previously defending mifepristone.
Colorado Disability Services Might No Longer Receive License Plate Revenue
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Colorado lawmakers, facing a more than $1 billion budget shortfall, are considering whether to redirect millions of dollars generated from plate fees toward Medicaid and other programs. More news comes from: Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Mississippi.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 18, 2025
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers health issues in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Sign up here!
White House Abolishes Public Health Advisory On Gun Violence
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Biden-era warning was scrubbed from the HHS website in order to comply with President Trump’s order to protect Second Amendment rights, officials say. A gun violence prevention group warns the move takes away lifesaving resources.
In DEI Sweep, Feds Remove Ban On ‘Segregated Facilities’ For Contractors
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Businesses still must follow federal and state laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes segregated facilities illegal. Those facilities are described as work areas, restaurants, drinking fountains, transportation, housing, and more.
Shuttered Sharon Regional Medical Center Resuming Business Today
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
California-based Tenor Health Foundation has taken over the 163-bed hospital in Pennsylvania. More hospital news is about Anson General in Texas, Scripps Health in California, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts. Also, chatbots feel the weight of heavy issues.
Veterans Told To Look Outside The VA For Gender Dysphoria Treatment
March 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Hormone therapy and gender dysphoria treatment will be offered only to those already receiving it. “If veterans want to attempt to change their sex, they can do so on their own dime,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said. Meanwhile, a study finds gender-affirming care may lower the risk of depression.
