First Edition: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026
January 12, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Millions of Americans Are Expected To Drop Their Affordable Care Act Plans. They’re Looking for a Plan B.
By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio
January 12, 2026
KFF Health News Original
An estimated 4.8 million people are expected to go without health coverage because Congress did not extend enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act plans. But even without a health plan, people will need medical care in 2026. Many of them have been thinking through their plan B to maintain their health.
‘Abortion as Homicide’ Debate in South Carolina Exposes GOP Rift as States Weigh New Restrictions
By Lauren Sausser Bram Sable-Smith
January 12, 2026
KFF Health News Original
A proposed abortion ban in South Carolina would have allowed the criminal prosecution of women who obtain the procedure. It’s unlikely to become law, but this bill and other proposals across the country show how some conservative lawmakers are embracing increasingly punitive abortion restrictions.
Journalists Update Listeners on Expiration of Insurance Subsidies and New Rural Health Funding
January 10, 2026
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on local and regional media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Vaccines Jettisoned by CDC Safeguarded Millions From Disease
By Arthur Allen Jackie Fortiér
January 9, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Tienda de segunda mano. Clínica. Lugar de encuentro. Centro se convierte en espacio vital en medio de la crisis de vivienda y drogas
By Aneri Pattani
January 9, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Aunque lleva varios años en funcionamiento, el espacio se ha vuelto aún más crucial en los últimos meses, con la administración Trump recortando fondos a muchas organizaciones de servicios sociales y adoptando una postura agresiva frente a las personas sin hogar y el consumo de drogas.
NY Mayor, Governor Pitch Free Child Care Plan For 2-Year-Olds
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
The 2 Care program will serve about 2,000 children when it opens later this year and will be paid for with existing state funds for the next fiscal year, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday. Other news comes from Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Texas, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
Upcoming Medicaid Restrictions Could Trigger 1M Missed Cancer Screenings
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
Researchers determined eligibility requirements mandated in the One Big Beautiful Bill would lead to nearly 1.2 million missed colorectal, breast, or lung cancer screenings and 155 preventable deaths within two years, Stat reported. Plus, a reshaped health care sector copes with new regulations.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on insurance denials, seniors who overmedicate, mental health, and more.
House Revives ACA Subsidy Extension; Senate Reaching For Compromise Bill
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
The bill that gained the support of 17 House Republicans would renew premium tax credits for three years. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is hopeful that some of the GOP sticking points will be ironed out soon. Plus, insurers are being called to Capitol Hill to answer questions about health care costs.
J&J Wins Tariff Reprieve In Exchange For Drug Discounts, Investment Pledge
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
The pharmaceutical company agreed to offer lower-cost drugs on the not-yet-available TrumpRx website and build facilities in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. It did not disclose how long its tariff reprieve would be. Plus, five states are suing the government over withheld social safety net funds.
US Kids Now Protected From Fewer Diseases By Vaccines Vs. Foreign Peers
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
The rationale given for the policy change that pared down the child vaccine schedule was to bring it in line with other countries’ plans, but data from the World Health Organization show all but one of the 20 so-called peer countries protect kids from more diseases than the U.S. now does.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 9, 2026
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
Behind on your reading? Catch up on this week's KFF Health News stories with The Week in Brief, delivered every Friday to your inbox. Sign up here !
Jefferson Health Accuses Drug Firms, PBMs Of Manipulating Insulin Prices
January 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
The large nonprofit health system, based in Philadelphia, is suing multiple companies, saying they colluded to raise the price of insulin, which in turn forced the health system to spend more on patient care. In separate statements, the three main PBMs at the center of the lawsuit — CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx — denied the allegations, Health Exec reported.
Thrift Store. Clinic. Roller Rink. Center Becomes ‘Radical’ Lifeline Amid Homelessness, Drug Crises.
By Aneri Pattani
January 9, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Located in the Lower 9th Ward, this abandoned building has become a community sanctuary and resource.
California Ends Medicaid Coverage of Weight Loss Drugs Despite TrumpRx Plan
By Don Thompson
January 9, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Low-income Californians who use Wegovy and similar medications for weight loss lost their coverage at the start of the new year, with officials advising diet and exercise instead. California and other states say the drugs are too costly, even as the Trump administration announces plans to lower prices.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: New Year, Same Health Fight
January 8, 2026
Podcast
Congress returned from its break facing a familiar question: whether to extend the expanded subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans that expired at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. broke a promise to Bill Cassidy, the chairman of Senate health committee, by overhauling the federal government’s childhood vaccine schedule to reduce the number of diseases for which vaccines will be recommended. Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more.
The Body Shops
January 8, 2026
Page
Featured Story More From the Project Share Your Story With Us Have you had liposuction, a “Mommy Makeover,” a tummy tuck, a Brazilian butt lift, or another type of cosmetic surgery? We’d like to hear about your experience. Click below to contact our reporting team. Credits Reporting Fred SchulteErin McLaughlin, NBC NewsJason Kane, NBC News Photography […]
