First Edition: Thursday, March 27, 2025
March 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
With Few Dentists and Fluoride Under Siege, Rural America Risks New Surge of Tooth Decay
By Brett Kelman
March 27, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The anti-fluoride movement has more momentum than ever. In rural counties with few dentists, tooth decay could surge to levels that have not been seen in decades, experts warn.
Trump Turns Homelessness Response Away From Housing, Toward Forced Treatment
By Angela Hart
March 27, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Trump administration is moving to end the “Housing First” approach despite warnings from providers and homelessness experts that the shift won’t work. But with homelessness rising, President Donald Trump could find allies in blue cities and states as the public clamors for streets to be cleaned up.
Plan de Trump para las personas sin hogar: internar a la fuerza y menos fondos para viviendas
By Angela Hart
March 27, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Es un cambio agresivo en la principal política nacional contra el desamparo, que durante décadas ha dado prioridad al acceso a una vivienda como la forma más eficaz de combatir esta crisis.
Con pocos dentistas y el flúor en el banquillo, zonas rurales corren el riesgo de una nueva oleada de caries
By Brett Kelman
March 27, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Decenas de comunidades han decidido dejar de fluorar su agua en los últimos meses. Eso, sumado a la escasez de dentistas, puede crear una tormenta perfecta para las caries, dicen expertos.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, March 26, 2025
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Federal worker struggles, CDC exits, health officials confirmed, measles cases grow, cancer, 23andMe, funding cuts, and more are in the news.
Exits Of 5 High-Level Officials Are Latest Moves To Rock CDC
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
With these new departures — described as retirements — it means close to a third of the CDC’s top management is leaving or has left recently. In other news from the agency, $11 billion in covid funding sent to state health departments is being clawed back.
Facing Funding Gap, New York’s Child Care Voucher Program May Soon Cave
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
The city’s Administration for Children’s Services subsidizes more than 60,000 vouchers, but The New York Times reports the “lifeline” program may begin disappearing within weeks if it’s not funded. Other news from around the nation comes from Florida, New Hampshire, California, Montana, Connecticut, Wyoming, and Kentucky.
Mayo Clinic Cuts Off Some 9/11 Cancer Patients In Exit Of Federal Program
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Two 9/11 responders with cancer who are patients of Mayo cancer facilities have been alerted that The Mayo Clinic is exiting a federal program that covers their care. CDC and its National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, which oversees the 9/11 health program, are looking into it, a spokesperson tells Modern Healthcare.
FDA Approves New Antibiotic To Fight Urinary Tract Infections
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
UTIs affect about half of all women, with about 30% suffering from recurring UTIs as the bacteria becomes more resistant to available antibiotics. Other research is on robot-assisted prostatectomies and erectile function; the link between marriage and dementia; and more.
Difficulty Deleting Genetic Data From 23AndMe Has Been Resolved
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
A 23AndMe spokesperson told Bloomberg that the website delays were due to heavy site traffic. This comes in the wake of the company’s weekend bankruptcy filing. In other news: McCormick begins reformulating products to remove dyes; Fluoride has been eliminated from the drinking water in some rural areas already short on dentists; and more.
Health Systems Grapple As Measles Cases Spread Beyond Outbreak States
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
As isolated reports of measles spread beyond the Texas-centric hotspot, health officials gear up for new cases while others report an uptick in vaccinations. In West Texas, where cases top 327, some patients have found a vitamin A “remedy” supported by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can leave them more sick.
Senate Finance Committee Clears Dr. Oz To Run Medicare, Medicaid
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Dr. Mehmet Oz will face a full Senate confirmation vote to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In other Senate news, Dr. Martin A. Makary has been confirmed as the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will be the director of the National Institutes of Health.
First Edition: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
March 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Montana Examines Ways To Ease Health Care Workforce Shortages
By Sue O'Connell
March 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Bills before the legislature would license community health workers and make it easier for some other health professionals licensed in other states to do business in Montana.
‘I Am Going Through Hell’: Job Loss, Mental Health, and the Fate of Federal Workers
By Rachana Pradhan Aneri Pattani
Illustration by Oona Zenda
March 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Since the Trump administration began firing federal workers, they say they feel overwhelmed, have obtained or considered seeking psychiatric care and medication, and are anxious about paying their bills. And soon, their health insurance will run out.
West Virginia Becomes First State To Ban Virtually All Artificial Food Dyes
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Although the legislation will go into effect in 2028, school meals will not be allowed to have the dyes beginning in August. In other news: HHS Chief RFK Jr. lays out his plan to ensure the safety of baby formula; soda companies push to remain covered by food stamps; and more.
More Health Care Leaders Plan To Leave Jobs This Year, Survey Shows
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The number of people in leadership positions willing to leave within the next 12 months rose by five percentage points when compared with last year’s figures. Other industry news includes management cuts at Yale New Haven Health; health systems responding to anti-DEI efforts; and more.
Tennessee Logs First Measles Case Of 2025
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
It is unclear how the person was exposed to the virus, officials say. Meanwhile, experts warn air travel may lead to more imported cases. Other news is on dengue fever outbreaks in popular spring break destinations; New York City’s mental health programs; and more.
