Federal Judge Blocks Mandate on Nursing Home Staffing
By Tarena Lofton
April 8, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A federal judge in Texas blocked a Biden administration rule to boost staffing at nursing homes. The decision comes even though many homes lack enough workers to maintain residents’ care.
CDC Again Sends Team To Texas To Assess Growing Measles Outbreak
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
The three staff members are in the Lone Star State at the request of the governor. Meanwhile, public health experts weigh in on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s mixed messaging about the MMR vaccine after the HHS secretary touted treatments that have not been proved to be effective.
Strict Abortion Laws In Louisiana, North Carolina Could Get More Severe
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
In Louisiana, where abortion is banned without any exceptions, a Republican bill would expand the definition of “coerced abortion.” In North Carolina, where abortion is legal only up to 12 weeks of pregnancy and has exceptions for rape and incest, a Republican bill would make abortion illegal after conception and eliminate those exceptions.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, April 8, 2025
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
No matter which app you’re into, KFF Health News has you covered: Follow along on Instagram , TikTok , Bluesky , X , Facebook , and LinkedIn as we break down health care headlines and policy.
Federal Judge Blocks Nursing Home Staffing Mandate
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk said the Department of Health and Human Services lacked the authority to issue the mandate. Also in health care industry news: CVS; Envision Healthcare; the “Zero Suicide Model;” and more.
HHS Chief RFK Jr. Urges More States To Outlaw Fluoride In Drinking Water
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
He spoke Monday in Utah, where a ban goes into effect in May. Meanwhile, the fallout continues from layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Trump Administration Bumps Payment Rates For Medicare Insurers By 5%
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
The boost is double the one proposed in January by the Biden administration. Meanwhile, a study shows how UnitedHealth Group used certain strategies to get more money from Medicare Advantage.
Invasive Group A Strep Infections Are Rising In US, CDC Study Shows
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
The rising rates of diabetes, obesity, and other health conditions make people more vulnerable to invasive strep, which can trigger flesh-eating disease and be life-threatening. Other news is on toxic metals left in the body after MRI scans, how marathon running can damage the brain, and more.
First Edition: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
April 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
For Opioid Victims, Payouts Fall Short While Governments Reap Millions
By Aneri Pattani
Lookup tool by Lydia Zuraw Data analysis by Henry Larweh
April 8, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Pharmaceutical companies accused of fueling the nation’s opioid crisis are paying state and local governments billions of dollars in legal settlements. But how much are victims who suffered addiction and overdoses getting?
Public Health Risks of Urban Wildfire Smoke Prompt Push for More Monitoring
By Katharine Gammon
April 8, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As the fires burned in Los Angeles, scientists and local air regulators deployed monitors to measure the levels of heavy metals, carcinogens, and other toxic substances released into the air when homes, buildings, and cars burned. They hope their efforts will inform ongoing cleanup efforts and protect the public in future fires.
Rural Hospitals Question Whether They Can Afford Medicare Advantage Contracts
By Arielle Zionts
April 8, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Some rural hospitals have canceled — or are considering ending — contracts with insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans, saying the private policies jeopardize their finances and impede patient care.
Firings at Federal Health Agencies Decimate Offices That Release Public Records
By Rachana Pradhan Brett Kelman
Updated April 7, 2025
Originally Published April 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Department of Health and Human Services’ mass firings included people who fulfill Freedom of Information Act requests for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and FDA, which result in the release of records about government handling of infectious diseases, medical products, and safety problems in health facilities.
Drugmakers Must Redo Research After FDA Finds Problems With Contractor
April 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The FDA found “objectionable conditions” during a 2023 inspection of the Raptim Research facility in Nava Mumbai, India. An unspecified number of companies are affected. Raptim said on its website that the FDA recently inspected an unnamed facility and didn’t find problems; it’s unclear when that inspection occurred.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
April 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s stories are on paralysis, pacemakers, Alzheimer’s, mental health, and more.
NY Bucks White House, Says Public Schools Won’t Eliminate DEI programs
April 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The New York State Education Department says it is “unaware of any authority” the U.S. government has to demand that states end DEI programs or to rescind federal funding if they do not comply, The Washington Post reports. Other national news is out of California, Texas, Idaho, and Virginia.
More Trouble In The Egg Aisle: 2 Liquid Substitutes Recalled Over Bleach Risk
April 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Egg Beaters and Bob Evans liquid eggs may contain a cleaning solution with sodium hypochlorite, also known as bleach. In other health and wellness news: decreased number of heart attacks in long-distance-running events; cancer research; and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, April 7, 2025
April 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
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