Morning Briefing for Friday, March 28, 2025
March 28, 2025
Morning Briefing
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Stunned HHS Employees Reel From Massive Job Cuts
March 28, 2025
Morning Briefing
The announcement that as many as 10,000 people will lose their jobs came as a shock to staff, some finding out through news reports. Including those who have already been cut with early retirement and buyouts, the total will reach 20,000 jobs lost, according to Politico.
Crisis Line Call-Takers Overwhelmed By Crush Of Veterans’ Calls, Trump Cuts
March 28, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Department of Veterans Affairs hotline has been a beacon of hope in troubling moments for veterans. As it fields more calls about benefits and other services, operators themselves are coping with “a very hostile, very anxiety-producing work environment.”
GOP Reportedly Working On Tax Plan That Scales Back Medicaid Cuts
March 28, 2025
Morning Briefing
Some Senate Republicans are worried about the political backlash, Bloomberg reports. Meanwhile, a new analysis has found that the proposed cuts would lead to 1 million job losses.
Anti-Abortion Groups Press Congress To Defund Planned Parenthood
March 28, 2025
Morning Briefing
The women’s health organization counters that stripping away funding would hurt people in need of care other than abortion, which accounts for less than 5% of its services. Meanwhile, Kentucky and Texas attempt to clarify when it’s OK for doctors to perform abortions.
Hospital Costs Predicted To Rise 15% Due To Tariffs
March 28, 2025
Morning Briefing
The survey predicted the increase would happen within the next six months. Other industry news is on health care access in rural areas; Pfizer’s alleged attempt to avoid taxes; and more.
First Edition: Friday, March 28, 2025
March 28, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Their Physical Therapy Coverage Ran Out Before They Could Walk Again
By Jordan Rau
March 28, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Health plans limit physical or occupational therapy sessions to as few as 20 a year, no matter the patient’s infirmities. The limits persist despite federal rules banning insurers from setting annual dollar limits on the care they will provide.
He Had Short-Term Health Insurance. His Colonoscopy Bill: $7,000.
By Julie Appleby
March 28, 2025
KFF Health News Original
After leaving his job to launch his own business, an Illinois man opted for a six-month health insurance plan. When he needed a colonoscopy, he thought it would cover most of the bill. Then he learned his plan’s limited benefits would cost him plenty.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: The Ax Falls at HHS
March 27, 2025
Podcast
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a proposed reorganization for the department — which, counting those who already have left the agency, amounts to about a 25% cut in its workforce. And its planned “Administration for a Healthy America” will collapse several existing HHS agencies into one. Meanwhile, the department continues to cut billions in health spending while the nation faces measles outbreaks in several states and the continuing possibility of another pandemic, such as bird flu. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Maya Goldman of Axios, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss the news.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Viewpoints: Youth Transgender Issues Need More Research, Not Less
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Artificial Sweetener Sucralose May Actually Increase Feelings Of Hunger
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
The findings come from a small study published Wednesday in the journal Nature Metabolism. Other public health news is on animal-to-human organ transplants; the first medicine to treat people with Prader-Willi syndrome; “tick cement;” and more.
South Korean Investigation Reveals Widespread Adoption Fraud
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
South Korea’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its findings on more than 200,000 adoptees, some of whom were stolen at birth and adopted for-profit internationally, including in the United States, The Washington Post reported. Other reproductive news is from Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and New Hampshire.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 27, 2025
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
No matter which app you’re into, KFF Health News has you covered: Follow along on Instagram , TikTok , Bluesky , X , Facebook , and LinkedIn as we break down health care headlines and policy.
Health Insurers Received Double Payment For Some Medicaid Patients
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
Insurers collected at least $4.3 billion over three years for patients who were enrolled in two states at once, in many cases after moving from one state to the other, according to an analysis by The Wall Street Journal. Other news is on the House budget, a federal ban on “ghost guns,” and more.
NIH Scours Papers Tied To ‘Fighting Misinformation Or Disinformation’
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
Staffers were given hours Wednesday to identify contracts and grants that directed “people to believe one idea over another related to health outcomes.” The initiative came as no surprise to public health researchers, Stat reports. Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health let go of another top director.
Social Security Revises Phone Services, Will Let People With Disabilities Call In
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
Some services will still require in-person or online verification, rather than by phone, however. Plus: The Supreme Court hears arguments in a case that would affect internet access in rural areas.
Prosecutors Object To Notes Slipped To Suspect In UnitedHealthcare Shooting
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
It’s not clear whether Luigi Mangione read the heart-shaped messages that told him: “Know there are thousands of people wishing you luck.” He is awaiting trial in the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Meanwhile, the FBI has found no credible terrorist threat directed at hospitals.
US Could Lose Measles ‘Elimination Status’ Faster Than Thought
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
A study suggests that the vaccination rate of kids in the United States is lower than previously reported by the CDC. The author argues that the pandemic may have exacerbated vaccine hesitancy and lack of access to the MMR vaccine.
