Hospital Execs Lambaste GOP Medicaid Proposal As Death Knell For Care
May 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Republican plan “will lead to millions of hardworking Americans losing access to health care and many of our nation’s hospitals struggling to maintain services and stay open,” one executive says. Plus, what the cuts might mean for SNAP, drug middlemen, elder care, and more.
A Record 24.3M People Signed Up For ACA Plans During Open Enrollment
May 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
Data out from CMS on Monday show a 13% increase in 2025 over the record set a year ago. Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that millions of Americans could lose health care coverage under a GOP-led proposal to cut back Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Trump’s Order To Cut Rx Prices Might Have Little Effect On Patients, Pharma
May 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
News outlets unpack what his executive order means for Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance plans.
American Travelers 60 And Up Advised To Skip Chikungunya Vaccine
May 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
The FDA and CDC recommended the pause while the government looks into possible side effects. Also: RFK Jr. raises eyebrows after swimming with his grandkids in a contaminated creek; President Donald Trump instructs the VA to build a center for homeless veterans in Los Angeles; and more.
Court Revives CRISPR Fight That Could Reshape Intellectual Property Law
May 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Patent Trial and Appeal Board was ordered to review a claim by a UC Berkeley team that gene-editing technology originated in their studies and not with the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. Also in the news: tinnitus treatment, manufacturing expansion, layoffs, and more.
Studies Show Long Covid More Likely With Initial Infection
May 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
Data indicate that subsequent reinfections showed a two-thirds lower risk of long covid, CIDRAP reported. Plus: early-onset puberty in girls, Black swimmers, and NutraSweet.
First Edition: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
May 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Listen: Black Swimmers Make Waves Overcoming Fear and Old Perceptions
By Cara Anthony
May 13, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Segregation and lack of access have kept many Black Americans from learning to swim, which raises their risk of drowning. Groups across the country are working to teach more Black kids and adults the skills to save their lives, or someone else’s.
After Promising Universal Health Care, California Governor Must Reconsider Immigrant Coverage
By Angela Hart Christine Mai-Duc
May 13, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Gov. Gavin Newsom was elected to office in 2019 on a promise of universal health care. He dramatically expanded coverage, but after six years, the Democrat is forced to contemplate deep cuts — including to the nation’s largest health care expansion to immigrants living in the U.S. without legal permission.
After Measles Outbreak, North Dakota Officials Quarantine Unvaccinated Kids
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
One school district is requiring unvaxxed schoolchildren exposed to the measles virus to quarantine for 21 days. Meanwhile, for only the second time in 30 years, the number of measles cases nationwide has surpassed 1,000. Other news is on listeria, flu, enterovirus D68, and screwworms in cattle.
‘Unprecedented’ Abortion Pill Bill Clears Texas Senate
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Among its restrictions, Senate Bill 2880 says no state judge has jurisdiction to rule on its constitutionality, and if they were to do it anyway, they can be personally sued for $100,000, The Texas Tribune reported. Plus: news from Maryland, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and California.
More High Schoolers Are Using Nicotine Pouches
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Also: Fungus-contaminated marijuana is recalled in Arizona; the FDA is warning against tianeptine, aka “gas station heroin”; coolers are recalled after handles cause finger amputations; and more.
House Republicans Unveil Plan To Cut Medicaid Funding
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
As Politico reports, states will bear the burden of the plan, which includes new work requirements and curbs states’ ability to levy taxes on providers. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will meet 2 p.m. Tuesday to debate and advance the bill.
Judge Halts Federal Layoffs, Says Congress Must Be Involved
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
San Francisco Judge Susan Illston, a Clinton appointee, did not order workers to be rehired, however. She said the president can make changes but “must do so with the cooperation of Congress; the Constitution is structured that way.” Plus: more updates on how the cuts have affected health care.
FDA OKs New Natural Food Dyes As HHS Aims To Remove Artificial Ones
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, Axios reports the FDA is making plans to use AI in its decision-making. Also: President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order to bring down the cost of meds.
First At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening Test Wins FDA Approval
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Teal Health’s test would give an alternative to in-office pap smears. Other pharma and health industry news covers a new CEO at the American Medical Association; robots at Walgreens; a startup from Elizabeth Holmes’ partner; and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies about what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please message us on Signal at (415) 519-8778 or get in touch here.
First Edition: Monday, May 12, 2025
May 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Readers Scrutinize Federal Cuts and Medical Debt
May 12, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
