As US Is Poised To Lose Measles-Free Status, RFK Jr.’s New CDC Deputy Downplays Its Significance
By Amy Maxmen
January 21, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Measles is at a 30-year high in the U.S., but technicalities may stave off the loss of the nation’s measles elimination status.
Prenatal Exposure To Wildfire Smoke Raises Autism Risk, Study In Calif. Says
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
The risk of autism diagnosis was 10% to 23% higher depending on how many days a pregnant person in the third trimester was exposed to smoke pollution. Plus, Florida moves to woo nurses. More news comes from Hawaii, Wyoming, Missouri, and Maryland. Also, a tuna recall affects nine states.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, January 21, 2026
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
Are you in a Golden State of mind? Check out our California Weekly Roundup newsletter. Each Wednesday, we’ll feature original reporting from our California Bureau , as well as the latest health headlines from across the state. From Crescent City to Imperial Beach, we’ve got you covered. Sign up here!
Congress Irons Out A Deal To Fund HHS, But There Still Could Be Wrinkles
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
The legislation still must pass the Senate and House. Stat noted that many of the health care reforms in the package were part of a deal Congress struck in December 2024 that quickly fell apart after then President-elect Trump and Elon Musk attacked it.
Vice President Vance And Wife Usha Are Expecting Fourth Child, A Boy
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
The second family’s newest member is due to arrive in July. In other administration news, DOGE did indeed gain access to one of the government’s most protected databases — the one containing Americans’ Social Security information. Plus, the toll of ICE actions in Minnesota and Florida.
Lurie Children’s Hospital In Chicago Halts Even More Trans Care For Minors
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
Lurie was one of just a few Chicago-area hospitals that still provided gender-affirming medications to minors. The hospital announced Tuesday that it had been threatened with a federal probe and would no longer offer the meds for those under 18 who hadn’t previously been treated at the hospital.
CDC Official Downplays Potential Loss Of Measles Elimination Status In US
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
Ralph Abraham, principal deputy director of the CDC, claimed the continued spread of the virus is ‘just the cost of doing business.” As Stat notes, however, elimination status is lost if a country is unable to stop ongoing transmission of the virus and circulation continues for a year or longer.
Red Cross Asks For Blood Donations As It Declares A Severe Shortage
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
The American Red Cross says hospital demand is outpacing donor blood supply, which is impacted by factors including inclement weather and the flu season. Other public health news is on cancer research, mental health, and gun violence.
First Edition: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026
January 21, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicaid Tries New Approach With Sickle Cell: Companies Get Paid Only if Costly Gene Therapies Work
By Phil Galewitz
January 21, 2026
KFF Health News Original
The government is using sickle cell treatments to test a new strategy: paying only if the therapies benefit patients. With more expensive treatments on the horizon, the program — created by the Biden administration and continued under President Trump — could help Medicaid save money and treat more patients.
Los pagos de Medicaid por el tratamiento de la anemia falciforme dependerán de su éxito
By Phil Galewitz
January 21, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Actualmente hay dos terapias génicas aprobadas por la FDA, con costos de $2,2 millones por paciente en un caso y $3,1 millones en el otro, sin incluir el gasto de la hospitalización prolongada que requieren.
Estados Unidos podría perder su estatus de país libre de sarampión
By Amy Maxmen
January 21, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Esto marca un cambio importante desde que Estados Unidos eliminara el sarampión en el año 2000. Hasta ahora, el virus aparecía de manera esporádica, con personas infectadas en el extranjero, pero rara vez provocaba brotes locales debido a las altas tasas de vacunación.
Ante el aumento en los precios del seguro médico, las familias enfrentan decisiones difíciles
By Lynn Arditi
January 20, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Millones de personas de clase media con planes de salud de ACA enfrentan aumentos drásticos en las primas en 2026, al no contar con el respaldo de los subsidios mejorados que el Congreso no ha renovado.
Pig Kidney Recipient Gets A Human Organ, Making Transplant History
January 20, 2026
Morning Briefing
Doctors and scientists have been able to fine-tune treatment for future xenotransplant patients after guiding New Hampshire patient Tim Andrews through an experimental pig kidney transplant that his body rejected months later but that bought him time while waiting for a human kidney match.
Phantom Exchange Enrollees May Haunt Health Insurers As Sign-Ups End
January 20, 2026
Morning Briefing
Some insurers are still seeing enrollees who were automatically enrolled when their previous carrier left the market, and they are not counting on them paying their premiums. Early evidence suggests that more exchange enrollees than usual will not keep their plans this year. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump focuses blame on insurance companies for rising health care costs.
Future Of Abortion Rights In Virginia Will Be Decided By Voters
January 20, 2026
Morning Briefing
A proposed constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights cleared the Virginia General Assembly last week. The issue will go before voters in November. Virginia currently allows abortion through the second trimester of pregnancy.
Minnesota Residents ‘Holding Off’ On Medical Care In Order To Avoid ICE
January 20, 2026
Morning Briefing
Also: More older adults are protesting in California; geriatricians say it can be beneficial to their health. Other news from around the nation comes from Maryland, Florida, Oregon, and Illinois.
