Health Clinic Workers Brush Up on Constitutional Protections as Immigration Raids Loom
By Jackie Fortiér
February 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Clinic administrators describe anxiety about President Donald Trump’s move to allow immigration arrests inside health centers.
Trabajadores de clínicas comunitarias repasan protecciones constitucionales mientras se avecinan redadas de inmigración
By Jackie Fortiér
February 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Desde el regreso de Donald Trump a la Casa Blanca, el temor a las deportaciones masivas llevadas a cabo por el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos (ICE) se ha apoderado de las comunidades inmigrantes.
Brain ‘Pacemaker’ To Ease Parkinson’s Symptoms Earns FDA Approval
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The brain-computer interface technology uses an algorithm to adapt to an individual patient’s needs, improving on previous tech that provided constant electrical brain stimulation. Other news includes: antidepressants’ effect on dementia; red-light therapy; and more.
Elizabeth Holmes’ Blood-Testing Fraud Conviction Upheld By Appeals Court
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
She claimed that her company, Theranos, could run accurate and fast tests from blood drawn from a finger prick. She was convicted of fraud in 2022, and the ruling was upheld Monday by a federal appeals court. Also in the news: hospital security, UnitedHealth, Pfizer, BGR Group, and more.
Missourians With Disabilities Receive Inadequate Care, State Records Show
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
From 2017 through 2023, 2,682 people with developmental disabilities died in Missouri state care, the River City Journalism Fund reported. Also in state news: a cancer cluster is found in Texas; North Carolina will get four more mental health crisis centers; and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, February 25, 2025
February 25, 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.
Many Laid-Off FDA Workers Brought Back, While VA Fires 1,400 More
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The FDA has reportedly reinstated dozens of staffers who were let go and are involved with food and medical device safety. The VA has let go of 2,400 employees this month. Also in the news: FDA’s “healthy” label rule, NIH grant funding, and more.
Supreme Court Rejects Challenges To Abortion Clinic Buffer Zones
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The decision not to hear an appeal from abortion opponents lets a law stand that allows local governments to create demonstration-free areas around health care facilities. More abortion news comes from Washington, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.
High Court To Hear ACA Case In April; House Votes Today On Medicaid Cuts
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a surprising twist, the Trump administration said it will continue the Biden White House’s defense of the requirement that insurers cover certain preventive services, The Hill reported. Meanwhile, the House will vote today on a budget blueprint that proposes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid.
First Edition: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025
February 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
With RFK Jr. in Charge, Supplement Makers See Chance To Cash In
By Arthur Allen
February 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The FDA is already limited in policing claims of health benefits by makers of supplements and herbal remedies — a $70 billion industry. Get ready for even less regulation.
Opioid Cash Grab: As Federal Funding Dries Up, States Turn to Settlement Money
By Aneri Pattani
February 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Nevada’s budget debate highlights how uncertainty over funding for federal safety net programs may lead some officials to turn to opioid settlement dollars to make up the difference.
Hospital Staff Injured, Police Officer Killed In Pennsylvania Shooting
February 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The attack happened Saturday when an armed man entered UPMC Memorial Hospital and took several staffers hostage in the ICU unit. The incident ended in a shootout that resulted in the death of a police officer and the alleged assailant. Also in the news: A.I. legislation; rural health care accessibility woes; and more.
As Texas Measles Outbreak Spreads, Warnings Issued At Tourist Hot Spot
February 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Nearly 100 people have been sickened in outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Texas officials report that someone with measles traveled to the busy San Antonio River Walk, among other places. Plus: The Mennonite community at the center of the outbreak.
FDA: Ozempic, Wegovy Shortage Is Over
February 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The shortages were declared in August 2022. Meanwhile, Axios reports on how makers of copycat weight loss drugs are preparing for a crackdown. In medical tech and pharma news: a pacemaker recall, the world’s smallest pacemaker, a ban on “forever chemicals” in France, and more.
Some FDA Inspectors, Other Workers Reinstated With Far Less Ballyhoo
February 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration is bringing back employees let go in mass firings. Those workers reviewed medical and infection-control devices, among others. Meanwhile, USAID and other agencies experience terminations, and the White House has reversed cuts to the 9/11 health program.
Concerns Grow Over New Bat Coronavirus Identified In China
February 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Although much less powerful than SARS-CoV-2, the HKU5-CoV-2 virus’s ability to infect humans has raised alarm over the potential of another pandemic, Fox News reports. Other outbreaks in the news include bird flu, seasonal flu, listeria, and more.
New Hampshire Medicaid Recipients May Be Required To Pay Premiums
February 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte proposed the changes last week in her budget address. Also in the news: Montana, Iowa, Texas, Maryland, and South Carolina.
