A Chicago Hospital Bows to Federal Pressure on Trans Care for Teens
By Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ Chicago
April 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
In the wake of an executive order by President Donald Trump opposing gender-affirming surgeries for minors, hospitals are pausing procedures — even those already scheduled. Families fear the eventual loss of all gender-affirming care for their transgender kids.
Hospital de Chicago cede a presión federal sobre atención médica para adolescentes trans
By Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ Chicago
April 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Adolescentes en transición y sus familias cuentan la incertidumbre que sienten ante la decisión de algunos hospitales de pausar cirugías.
FSU Students Urge Lawmakers Against Lowering Gun-Buying Age
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
After last week’s shooting at Florida State University, students also want to ensure classrooms have locks on the doors, funding for mental health resources, and active-shooter training, AP reports. Other states making news are Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and North Carolina.
Study: Almost Half Of US Exposed To Unhealthy Levels Of Air Pollution
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, the EPA has informed over 450 employees that they will be either fired or reassigned. In other news, North Carolina residents recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene are left in the lurch after CDC cuts.
Glimmer Of Hope For Medicaid: MAGA Supporters Oppose Cuts, Poll Shows
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
A top Trump campaign polling firm found strong support for Medicaid in battleground congressional districts, with 78% of Trump supporters wanting the program to continue.
US Birth Rate Nudges Up 1% In 2024, Continuing A Worrisome Trend
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Demographers and cultural critics fear a sustaining slump could hurt the U.S. economy. In an effort to prop up the population, some have proposed bonuses for women who give birth, an idea President Donald Trump says “sounds like a good idea.” Separately, the family planning funding freeze is hurting clinics across the country.
Texas Measles Outbreak Hits 624 Cases, Amid Rise In Misinformation
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, whooping cough cases are surging across the U.S., with CDC data showing 8,077 cases in 2025, compared with 3,847 cases in the same period last year.
Rural Texas Hospital Closing Its Doors After Only 14 Months
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Citing financial concerns, Mid Coast Medical Center announced April 18 that Trinity County’s only hospital will wind down operations on Friday, The Texas Tribune reports. Mid Coast’s closure serves as another example of the ongoing struggle of rural hospitals in Texas and nationwide.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 23, 2025
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers health issues in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Check out our Montana, Colorado, and Georgia newsletters, too. Sign up here!
‘MAHA’ Update: FDA Dumps 8 Food Dyes; CDC Rethinks Kids’ Covid Vax
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The additives that will be phased out — but not outright banned — are Blue 1 and 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, Orange B, and Citrus Red 2. In other “Make America Healthy Again” news: The CDC might pull the covid vaccine off its list of recommended vaccines for kids, and the NIH says it won’t have answers about the cause of autism until next year.
Feds Slash Women’s Health Initiative, Claw Back NSF Research Grants
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The WHI has studied the varying health changes women go through since 1991. The National Science Foundation grant cancellations — more than 400 of them, The New York Times reports — targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion studies, as well as research about misinformation.
First Edition: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Measles Misinformation Is on the Rise — And Americans Are Hearing It, Survey Finds
By Arthur Allen
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Attitudes about a debunked link between measles vaccines and autism haven’t budged that much. But there’s a sharp partisan divide over whether the vaccine is safe.
Hospitals’ Lobbying Frustrates Montana Lawmakers Who Sought To Boost Oversight
By Mike Dennison
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Montana’s powerful hospital lobby was instrumental in renewing the state’s Medicaid expansion program and has also fended off most legislation to increase state oversight of their business.
Medi-Cal Under Threat: Who’s Covered and What Could Be Cut?
By Don Thompson
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Federal law requires states to offer health insurance to many people with low incomes or disabilities. But some states, including California, are far more generous than what’s required. Budget pressures may force lawmakers to cut benefits that have led to a historic low in the uninsured rate.
Aumenta la desinformación sobre el sarampión, y las personas le prestan atención, dice una encuesta
By Arthur Allen
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Mientras se expande la epidemia de sarampión más grave en una década, las creencias falsas sobre la seguridad de la vacuna contra esta infección se diseminan, avaladas por el funcionario de salud de mayor rango del país.
El Medi-Cal bajo amenaza: a quién cubre y qué se recortaría
By Don Thompson
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
California inscribe al doble de personas que Nueva York y a más del triple que Texas, los dos estados con el mayor número de participantes en Medicaid después de California.
Study Shows Steady Decline In Cancer Death Rates Over Two Decades
April 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
The findings published Monday analyzed data from 2001 through 2022. However, incidence rates among women have been rising. Separately, a survey shows women are reluctant to have cancer screening mammograms read only by AI.
