Big Loopholes in Hospital Charity Care Programs Mean Patients Still Get Stuck With the Tab
By Michelle Andrews
September 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Even if people qualify for financial help with their hospital bills, the care they receive may not be covered.
AI Will Soon Have a Say in Approving or Denying Medicare Treatments
By Lauren Sausser Darius Tahir
September 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A pilot program testing the use of artificial intelligence to expand prior authorization decisions in Medicare has providers, politicians, and researchers questioning Trump administration promises to curb an unpopular practice that has frustrated patients and their doctors.
As Trump Punts on Medical Debt, Battle Over Patient Protections Moves to States
By Noam N. Levey Katheryn Houghton Arielle Zionts
September 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Some states are enacting medical debt laws as the Trump administration pulls back federal protections. Elsewhere, industry opposition has derailed legislation.
Doctors Voice Concern Over Change To Cigna, Aetna Reimbursement Policies
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Physicians say the changes, aimed at office visits billed at the highest reimbursement rates of level 4 and level 5, will exacerbate the already heavy administrative burdens on them. Other industry news is on gaps in hospital charity care, Eli Lilly’s plans in Houston, and more.
Filtered Cigarettes, Cigars Headed For Ban In Parts Of One California County
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The ban will begin in 2027 in unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County and in the cities of Santa Cruz and Capitola in what officials say is the first ban of its kind in the nation. Other news from across the country comes from Connecticut, North Carolina, Colorado, Washington, and Minnesota.
Drug-Resistant ‘Nightmare Bacteria’ Cases Are Rising, CDC Says
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Infection rates from the bacteria, which are treatment-resistant because of the NDM gene, increased nearly 70% between 2019 and 2023, according to CDC researchers. It is resistant to all but two antibiotics, and those are expensive and must be administered by IV.
Researchers Studying Cancer In Young People Look To Environmental Factors
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
According to The Washington Post, the increased rate of cancers in people ages 15-49 may be less linked to genetic factors and have more to do with “exposome” — the range of environmental exposures one experiences throughout their lives.
Medical Community Stands United: Consult With Docs, Don’t ‘Tough It Out’
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Despite President Donald Trump and his health officials advising pregnant women to avoid acetaminophen, experts in the field maintain the over-the-counter medication is safe. Medical groups also pushed back on claims that leucovorin is a treatment option for children with autism.
Furloughed Federal Workers Reinstated Months After DOGE Cost-Cutting Blitz
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The General Services Administration says hundreds of employees have until Friday to accept return-to-work offers. Separately, University of California schools should have more than $500 million in research grants restored, a U.S. District judge in San Francisco has ruled. Plus, ACA subsidy talks.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 24, 2025
September 24, 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: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
September 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Trump Claims ‘No Downside’ to Avoiding Tylenol During Pregnancy. He’s Wrong.
By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact
September 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Doctors say acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol, is safe to take during pregnancy. Other over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin and ibuprofen aren’t recommended because they can harm fetal development. Untreated fever in pregnancy can pose maternal and fetal health risks.
Amid Confusion Over US Vaccine Recommendations, States Try To ‘Restore Trust’
By Céline Gounder
September 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The decisions by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices matter, because insurers and federal programs rely on them, but they are not binding. States can follow the recommendations, or not.
She Had a Broken Arm, No Insurance — And a $97,000 Bill
By Katheryn Houghton
September 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Deborah Buttgereit knew piecing together the broken bone in her elbow would be expensive. But complications the doctor deemed a surprise, midsurgery, drove the total bill tens of thousands of dollars above the original estimate.
Doctors May Qualify For Exemption From $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
An executive order released Friday stated that an application fee waiver may be approved by the Homeland Security secretary if hiring a specific worker would be deemed “in the national interest.” This comes after medical groups called out the potential risk to rural health care.
CVS’ Omnicare Seeks Chapter 11 Bankruptcy After Whistleblower Case
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
CVS Health subsidiary Omnicare, a pharmacy services provider for long-term care businesses, may explore a restructuring or sale. Also: the fight over who pays for GLP-1 weight loss drugs, AI device manufacturers’ payments to doctors, and more.
Minneapolis School Shooting Victim, 12, Improving After Being Shot In Head
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Seventh grader Sophia Forchas will soon leave an acute care ward and join an inpatient rehab program in what her family has called a “miraculous” recovery. Other news from around the nation comes from Florida, Illinois, Michigan, and Virginia.
2nd Death Reported In Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak In Iowa
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Health officials are urging Marshall County residents to maintain clean water systems and seek medical attention if they show signs of infection. Health officials also are monitoring the New World screwworm nearing the U.S. border, a measles outbreak in Utah and Arizona, and valley fever in the Southwest.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
September 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s stories are on psychedelic mushrooms, robots, a new way to fix broken legs, and more.
