First Edition: Monday, Jan. 27, 2025
January 27, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Montana Eyes $30M Revamp of Mental Health, Developmental Disability Facilities
By Sue O'Connell Mike Dennison
January 27, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The moves under consideration include relocating a residential facility for people with developmental disabilities, renovating the state’s psychiatric hospital, and opening a new unit of the hospital in Helena.
An Arm and a Leg: The ‘Shkreli Awards’ — For Dysfunction and Profiteering in Health Care
By Dan Weissmann
January 27, 2025
Podcast
The Lown Institute, a health care think tank, holds a contest every year for the most outrageous stories of greed in health care.
Reporter Assesses Rise in Vaccine Exemptions, Gives Other Stories To Watch in 2025
January 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News Southern correspondent Sam Whitehead made the rounds on local radio recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of his appearances.
Health Providers Gird for Immigration Crackdown
By Vanessa G. Sánchez
January 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Different states are offering starkly different guidelines to hospitals, community clinics, and other health facilities for interacting with immigrant patients as President Donald Trump issues a flurry of executive orders on immigration.
What a US Exit From the WHO Means for Global Health
By Amy Maxmen
January 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
By withdrawing from the World Health Organization and overhauling aid, Trump’s new executive orders endanger Americans and the globe, researchers warn. The move also cedes U.S. power to other nations.
What Trump’s Executive Order on Gender Means for Trans Health Care
By Bram Sable-Smith
January 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
In his first days in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on gender that affects transgender health care. The order aims to directly limit care for trans people incarcerated in federal prisons, but the broader implications on health aren’t clear-cut.
Clinical Trial Diversity Caught In Crossfire Of Trump’s Ban On DEI
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
In the rush to get rid of all FDA website pages referencing diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Trump administration has removed many drug and medical device trials that include people of different ethnic and economic backgrounds. The move could affect how drugs and medical devices are tested. Other news is on Senate hearings, VA affairs, immigration, and more.
Meta’s Facebook, Instagram Hid Abortion Pill Providers’ Content
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The posts and accounts that were obscured or removed were restored after The New York Times started asking questions. Meta cites its policy against selling pharmaceutical drugs on its platforms without proper certification and acknowledged some “over-enforcement.” Meanwhile, some states are proposing legislation that would classify abortion as a homicide, potentially leading to charges against patients.
Trump Pardons 23 Abortion Protesters; Vance To Attend March For Life Today
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump, who is traveling today, is scheduled to address the crowd through a video message. The rally, in its 52nd year, is expected to bring an estimated 150,000 marchers and will end at the Capitol. Organizers plan to focus their attention on state-level abortion battles.
Sacklers Increase Purdue Settlement Offer, With An Added Condition
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The New York Times reports that the tentative $7.4 billion agreement with 15 states would also require those states to set aside as much as $800 million in what amounts to a legal defense fund for the Sackler family. Other pharmaceutical news is on Prime Therapeutics, a potential norovirus vaccine, vaccine hesitancy, and more.
UnitedHealth Group Chooses Tim Noel To Replace Slain CEO
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Noel most recently led UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare division — one of the company’s most profitable lines of health insurance, Stat reported. Meanwhile, a new report says slaying suspect Luigi Mangione had complained about suffering physical and psychological injuries at his fraternity.
Doxy-PEP Is Working: Fewer Gay Men In Calif. Catching Chlamydia, Syphilis
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
A pair of studies by San Francisco researchers found that rates for the two common STIs also fell in bisexual men and transgender women when doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis was prescribed after sex. Other news comes from Maryland, North Carolina, Colorado, Delaware, and New York.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on baby formula, disabilities, gun violence, and more.
US To Leave World Health Organization Next January; WHO Unveils Cost Cuts
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post explains how the moves could alter global health and politics. Meanwhile, WHO leaders insist there is time to negotiate with the United States.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 24, 2025
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Stay tuned for our new weekly edition, The Week in Brief, coming today . Each Friday, we’ll give you a fresh take on one of our top stories. Plus, we’ll recap our social media coverage and our award-winning KFF Health News journalism. Don’t miss out — sign up here !
First Edition: Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
January 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A Program To Close Insurance Gaps for Native Americans Has Gone Largely Unused
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
January 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Health leaders say a tool to boost medical coverage for Native Americans, a population that has long faced worse health outcomes than the rest of the nation, has been underused by many states and tribes since it was written into the Affordable Care Act more than a decade ago.
