Judge Indefinitely Halts Trump’s Effort To Nix $11B In Public Health Funds
May 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Judge Mary McElroy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island on Friday extended a temporary restraining order she had issued in April regarding pandemic-era funding. Other Trump administration news is on layoffs, research cuts, the GAO, and more.
Authorities Say Alleged Calif. IVF Clinic Bomber Was Critical Of Procreation
May 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Suspect Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, was killed in Saturday’s blast outside the American Reproductive Centers clinic in Palm Springs. Bartkus left behind writings that indicated “anti-pro-life” sentiments and anti-natalist views, law enforcement officials said. Four others were hurt in the attack, but no patients were at the clinic that day. All embryos were saved, the FBI said.
Novavax’s Covid Jab Wins FDA Backing For People 65 And Older, Those At Risk
May 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
In other vaccine news, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially ordered placebo testing on new vaccines, a change that experts claim will be costly and — harkening back to polio vaccine trials in the 1950s — unethical. Plus, news about long covid, bird flu, measles, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
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Joe Biden And His Family Are Reviewing Cancer Treatment Options
May 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Former President Biden’s office announced Sunday that he has prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. The statement said his cancer is “hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management.” Politicians on both sides of the aisle reached out to send well-wishes.
After Medicaid Concessions, House GOP Hardliners Let Megabill Advance
May 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The tax bill survived a committee vote Sunday night. It would make Medicaid work requirements happen “as soon as possible,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said. The measure still faces uncertainty as it comes up for votes in the full House and the Senate. Plus, the effects this “big, beautiful bill” would have on health care providers and patients.
First Edition: Monday, May 19, 2025
May 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Rural Patients Face Tough Choices When Their Hospitals Stop Delivering Babies
By Arielle Zionts
May 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
More than 100 rural hospitals have stopped delivering babies since 2021, including a South Dakota hospital that serves small towns, farming communities, and a Native American reservation. Patients there now travel at least an hour to give birth.
Housing, Nutrition in Peril as Trump Pulls Back Medicaid Social Services
By Angela Hart
May 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
About half of states have broadened Medicaid, the state-federal low-income health care program, to pay for social services such as housing and nutritional support. The Trump administration, however, views these experiments as distractions from the core mission to provide health care.
Trump’s DOJ Accuses Medicare Advantage Insurers of Paying ‘Kickbacks’ for Primo Customers
By Julie Appleby
May 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Department of Justice alleges that several major health insurers paid brokerages “hundreds of millions of dollars in kickbacks” to get agents to steer consumers into their Medicare Advantage plans, allegations the insurers strongly dispute.
Los hospitales que atienden partos en zonas rurales están cada vez más lejos de las embarazadas
By Arielle Zionts
May 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Más de un centenar de hospitales rurales han dejado de atender partos desde 2021, según el Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform. El cierre de los servicios de obstetricia se suele achacar a la falta de personal y la falta de presupuesto.
Trump retira servicios sociales de Medicaid, y pone en peligro la nutrición y la vivienda
By Angela Hart
May 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Sin hogar ni alimentos saludables, las personas corren el riesgo de enfermarse más, quedarse sin hogar y experimentar aún más dificultades para controlar afecciones crónicas como la diabetes y las enfermedades cardíacas.
Journalists Unpack Drug Prices, Threats to Medicaid, and the Fluoridation of Water
May 17, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Flawed Federal Programs Maroon Rural Americans in Telehealth Limbo
By Sarah Jane Tribble
May 16, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
May 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on infectious-disease detectives, Powassan virus, the LA wildfires, Pope Leo XIV, and more.
First-Ever Personalized Gene-Editing Treatment Saves Baby’s Life
May 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Philadelphia boy was born with a rare genetic disorder called CPS1 deficiency. Half of all babies with the disorder die in the first week, The New York Times notes. Also making news: measles, prion diseases, and night owls.
UnitedHealth To End Commissions On Sales Of Medicare Drug Plans
May 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
As of now, commissions on renewals will continue to be paid. Also, Leapfrog has served a cease-and-desist after Tenet Healthcare Corp. filed a lawsuit alleging that the safety grades process was bought and paid for. Other news is on upcoding practices in outpatient care, updated industry standards for antibiotic manufacturing, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, May 16, 2025
May 16, 2025
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 !
Senators Express Dissatisfaction With House Megabill Draft, Medicaid Cuts
May 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
Some GOP senators are concerned that trims to Medicaid and other programs would hurt their states. They have already pegged provisions in the House measure that they’re targeting for revisions, NBC News reports. Also in the tax bill: a $1 billion tax break on gun silencers.