What the Health? From KFF Health News: Countdown to Government Shutdown
September 11, 2025
Podcast
With less than three weeks before the deadline to pass legislation to keep the federal government running, lawmakers are still far apart on a strategy. Democrats hope Republicans will agree to extend expanded tax credits for the Affordable Care Act as part of a compromise, but so far Republicans are not negotiating. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released his long-awaited “Make America Healthy Again” report, with few specific action items. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.
Fight Over Obamacare Premiums Could Trigger Federal Government Shutdown
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
Senate and House Democrats are demanding that Republicans stop a sharp spike in Affordable Care Act premiums. In other news, House lawmakers have included an amendment in their 2026 spending bill to fund mRNA vaccine research — in direct opposition to HHS chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
FTC To Health Care Employers: Review Your Noncompete Agreements
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Federal Trade Commission sent letters warning large employers and firms to make sure any noncompetes are not overly broad or anticompetitive. Other industry news covers the rising share of doctors who belong to unions, CMS’ Medicare Plan Finder tool, robotic intubation, and more.
Supreme Court Rejects South Carolina’s Plea To Enforce Trans Bathroom Ban
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
A lower court ruling was left in place, allowing a 14-year-old student to use the school bathroom that best aligned with their gender identity while his lawsuit winds through the courts. The high court determined South Carolina did not meet the standards for obtaining an emergency injunction.
US Has Worst Chronic Disease Death Data Among High-Income Countries
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
According to a study published Wednesday in The Lancet, the U.S. performed the worst in reducing deaths caused by chronic diseases. Germany wasn’t far behind, while Denmark showed the largest improvement. Also: Insomnia ages the brain; beta-glucan fiber increases weight loss: and more.
Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, And Connecticut Preserve Covid Vax Access
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
Bucking HHS, several more states issued orders allowing their residents to get shots without a doctor’s prescription. Meanwhile in Oregon, CVS rescinded its policy allowing anyone to get a shot.
Partisan Division Over Gun Control Erupts In US House After Kirk Slaying
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
Leaders across the political spectrum have decried Wednesday’s fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, at a political event in Utah. But in the House, a moment of silence led to a shouting match, with at least one conservative blaming liberals for the shooting and Democrats demanding that Republicans “pass some gun laws!”
FDNY Honors 39 Who Died This Year From 9/11-Related Illnesses; HHS ‘Chaos’ Delays WTC Health Program
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
Plus, three more victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were recently identified using DNA. The New York City medical examiner’s office is still working to identify about 1,100 victims.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025
September 11, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Affirmative Action Critics Refuse To Back Down in Fight Over Medical Bias Training
By Ronnie Cohen
September 11, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A nonprofit fighting affirmative action in medicine and a Los Angeles ophthalmologist have launched a long-shot legal appeal aimed at ending California’s requirement that every continuing medical education class include training to recognize and address unconscious bias.
Climate Activists Cite Health Hazards in Bid To Stop Trump From ‘Unleashing’ Fossil Fuels
By Jim Robbins
September 11, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Buoyed by a Montana court ruling upholding state residents’ right to a “clean and healthful environment,” nearly two dozen people ages 7 to 24 hope to block the Trump administration’s executive orders on energy.
Watch: Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Tumble After Trump Cuts
By Rachana Pradhan
September 11, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Fewer people are seeking care at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, a renowned research hospital, under the second Trump administration.
CMS Delays Medicare Advantage Rule Requiring Reminders Of Unused Perks
September 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The agency says it needs time “to address logistical concerns and reevaluate current requirements” regarding a notification policy about unused benefits. Plus, UnitedHealth’s intentions for Medicare Advantage plans.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 10, 2025
September 10, 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.
HHS Report Lays Out Health Priorities For Kids, Omits Biggest Cause Of Death
September 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday released the “Make Our Children Healthy Again” plan, which mentioned several dozen issues that the federal government aims to tackle, such as poor diet, chemical exposures, and excess prescription medications. But the report didn’t mention gun violence, which is the leading cause of death for people younger than 18.
White House Steps Up Enforcement Of Rules For Pharma Ads On TV, Online
September 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive action to crack down on misleading ads. Separately, 340B Drug Pricing Program spending grew 565% from 2010 to 2021, according to a new report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Also: Novo Nordisk is cutting 9,000 jobs.
CDC Infectious-Disease Data Project Put On Hold Indefinitely
September 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The user-friendly website would have made access to information on numerous diseases readily accessible. Also: Ex-CDC Chief Susan Monarez will testify at a Senate committee hearing on Sept. 17.
