Research Finds Trace Amounts Of Pesticides, Chemicals In Breast Milk
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
Although researchers were quick to say that the health effects are still unknown, they say this new data could help strengthen chemical regulations as well as protections for infants and parents. Plus, news about abortion access, vasectomies, C-sections, and more.
FDA Clears AI Radiology Tool That Triages CT Scan For 14 Conditions
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
Aidoc’s tool can scan for multiple critical findings — including liver injury, spleen injury, bowel obstruction, and appendicitis — in one abdominal scan, which sets it apart from other approved AI-based medical devices.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, January 22, 2026
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
Behind on your reading? Catch up on this week's KFF Health News stories with The Week in Brief, delivered every Friday to your inbox. Sign up here !
Withdrawal From WHO, Now In Effect, Weakens America’s Sway, Experts Warn
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today marks the United States’ formal exit from the World Health Organization, of which it had been a member since 1948. Advocates for the disease-fighting alliance see a path to the U.S. agreeing to rejoin, perhaps if the Trump administration sees an American at the helm.
Insurance CEOs In Capitol Hill Hot Seat Over Surging Health Care Costs
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
The chief executive officers of UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, Elevance Health, Cigna, and Ascendiun are slated to testify today. One insurer, UnitedHealth Group, has revealed plans to return ACA profits to its marketplace members while Congress works “toward more long-term solutions.”
Florida Bill Would Criminalize Helping Minors Access Gender-Affirming Care
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
Although gender-affirming care is already illegal in Florida, a new bill would change who could be held criminally liable for it. More news from around the nation comes from Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Oregon, New York, and North Carolina.
Heart Disease Deaths Drop 2.7% But Remain Top Cause Of Death In US
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
Other public health news is on measles in Utah, flu vaccination rates among older Americans, Robert Kennedy Jr.’s national “Take Back Your Health” tour, and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
January 22, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Make Us Swoon: Send In Your Health Policy Valentines
By KFF Health News Staff
January 22, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Affordable health care is our love language. We want to see your most clever, heartfelt, or hilarious tributes to the policies that shape health care. And we’ve sweetened the deal with prizes.
Farmers Now Owe a Lot More for Health Insurance
By Sarah Boden Drew Hawkins, Gulf States Newsroom
January 22, 2026
KFF Health News Original
More than a quarter of the agricultural workforce purchases health insurance through the individual marketplace, a much larger share than the overall percentage of U.S. adults. After a tough year for farmers, the loss of enhanced ACA subsidies is putting health insurance out of reach for many.
El alto costo del seguro médico pone en jaque a los granjeros
By Sarah Boden Drew Hawkins, Gulf States Newsroom
January 22, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Y ahora, los subsidios mejorados de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio, en los que muchos agricultores confiaban para comprar cobertura, no han sido renovados.
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
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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.
