In Anti-DEI Push, Trump Officials Demand Data From 3 Medical Schools
March 27, 2026
Morning Briefing
The Department of Justice has opened inquiries into how race might be considered in the admissions policies at Stanford, Ohio State, and the University of California, San Diego. The department also sued NewYork-Presbyterian and launched an inquiry over trans prisoners in California and Maine.
First Edition: Friday, March 27, 2026
March 27, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Give and Take: Federal Rural Health Funding Could Trigger Service Cuts
By Aaron Bolton, MTPR Arielle Zionts
March 27, 2026
KFF Health News Original
States are rolling out plans for their share of a $50 billion fund meant to improve rural health care. In some states, the money may provoke rural hospitals to cut services.
Trump Team Claims Successes Against ACA Fraud While Pushing for More Controls
By Julie Appleby
March 27, 2026
KFF Health News Original
A sweeping set of regulations issued in February includes Trump administration proposals to curb what Obamacare critics contend are fraud incentives.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: A Headless CDC
March 26, 2026
Podcast
The Trump administration faces the challenge of naming a new director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who can both satisfy the Make America Healthy Again movement and get confirmed by the Senate. Meanwhile, a new Senate bill to rescind the approval of the abortion pill mifepristone is again elevating the abortion debate, which some Republicans would prefer to stay on the back burner until after the midterms. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Lizzy Lawrence of Stat, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss the news. Also this week, Rovner interviews Georgetown University Law Center’s Katie Keith about the state of the Affordable Care Act on its 16th anniversary.
Aetna, Elevance, Humana May Be Sued In Alleged Kickback Scheme, Judge Says
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
The insurers are accused of paying to have customers directed to their Medicare Advantage plans and of paying brokers to limit sign-ups of people with disabilities. The companies deny any wrongdoing.
FDA Approves Hunter Syndrome Drug On Heels Of Similar Drug Rejections
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
Last month, the FDA rejected a Hunter syndrome gene therapy from Regenxbio over a lack of clinical data. Denali Therapeutics’ drug is a form of enzyme replacement therapy — not a gene therapy — that can enter the brain and slow the cognitive decline affecting two-thirds of patients.
Cord Blood Bank Sued By Two States Over Misleading Advertising
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
The company Cord Blood Registry is being sued by the attorneys general of Texas and Arizona over claims about the medical value of storing newborn cord blood, while charging new parents thousands of dollars. The lawsuits ask CBR to remove the false ads and repay families.
Michigan Child With Measles May Have Exposed ER Visitors As Outbreak Grows
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
Seven cases are under investigation; all of the people involved were unvaccinated against measles, CBS News reported. The emergency room treatment area of Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital in Ypsilanti was potentially exposed to the virus on March 21.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, March 26, 2026
March 26, 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 !
Jury Finds Meta, YouTube Liable In Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
Jurors ruled that Meta and YouTube were negligent and awarded the plaintiff $6 million in damages. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports on an Irish village making a “phone-free childhood” happen.
CDC In Leadership Limbo As Trump Misses Deadline To Nominate Director
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
Jay Bhattacharya will continue to lead the agency while the administration searches for a permanent director. About six contenders are still under consideration, The Washington Post reports. Also, a month after Casey Means’ confirmation hearings, she still has not secured the surgeon general post.
First Edition: Thursday, March 26, 2026
March 26, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Taking a GLP-1? Doctors Say Not To Forget About Movement and Mental Health
By Emily Siner, Nashville Public Radio Cara Anthony Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio
March 26, 2026
KFF Health News Original
So you’ve decided to go on a GLP-1 to lose weight. These medicines might seem like an easy way to drop unwanted pounds, but you’ll likely need to do a few other things to be successful long-term.
CDC’s Acting Chief Promises a Return to Stability in a Tumultuous Moment
By Céline Gounder
Photos by Eric Harkleroad
March 25, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Jay Bhattacharya, head of the National Institutes of Health and interim leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the CDC staff, “I know that it has been such a difficult year.”
Isolation Linked To Lower Uptake Of Preventive Care, Higher Death Rates
March 25, 2026
Morning Briefing
A lack of social connections has been linked to higher all-cause death rates. Physical and social isolation were also tied to financial difficulty, including food insecurity and problems paying bills.
Iowa Abortions Drop 22% In 2025, New Data Shows
March 25, 2026
Morning Briefing
During the first year of an Iowa law severely restricting abortion, a 22% drop was observed, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Also: Dietary changes may holistically help manage endometriosis.
