Dorothy Fink Selected As Interim HHS Secretary
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
The endocrinologist and leader of the health agency’s Office on Women’s Health will lead the agency while Robert Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick for the role and the focus of bipartisan scrutiny, undergoes confirmation by the Senate. The push back on Kennedy’s selection as health secretary could leave the agency without a Senate-confirmed leader for an extended period of time.
US Will No Longer Allow Transgender, Nonbinary Identities, Per Trump Order
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Gender identity — and protections such as health care afforded to people in that community — will be stripped from the federal government. A legal challenge is already planned. Separately, an effort is underway to remove transgender people from the military.
Trump Signs Order Designating Drug Cartels As Terrorist Organizations
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump signed the executive order Monday, and AP reports that it could pave the way for “a militarized agenda for the border and Latin America.” Other fentanyl-related news is on tariffs, Walgreens, West Virginia, and more.
Government Website On Reproductive Rights Is No Longer Online
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
The website, reproductiverights.gov, provided information on health care issues including birth control, breast and cervical exams, prenatal care, and more. Meanwhile, Maryland secures abortion rights, Texas works to clarify exemptions, and Missouri wants to roll back reproductive rights.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, January 21, 2025
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Stay tuned for our new weekly edition, The Week in Brief, coming this Friday. Each week, 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: Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Dogs Paired With Providers at Hospitals Help Ease Staff and Patient Stress
By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio
January 21, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Some hospitals are bringing in dogs to spend entire shifts with doctors and nurses. The trained canines help staffers cope with the stress of their work amid high levels of burnout.
Amid Wildfire Trauma, L.A. County Dispatches Mental Health Workers to Evacuees
By Molly Castle Work
January 21, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Catastrophic wildfires are common in California, and mental health specialists have become a key part of local governments’ response to extreme weather events, which scientists say are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change. Los Angeles County has been modifying its approach with each disaster.
Days From Trump Inauguration, Journalists Weigh California, Federal Health Policies
January 18, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on regional media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
CDC: Hospitals Treating Patients For Flu Should Also Test Swiftly For H5N1
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
A check for bird flu should be done within 24 hours of admission, the agency advises. Moreover, patients suspected of having seasonal or bird flu should be treated right away with antivirals.
FDA Authorizes Sale Of Zyn Pouches To Help Adult Smokers Cut Back
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
FDA officials say that while Zyn is not safe, the data show the pouches are less harmful than alternatives and contain fewer harmful ingredients than cigarettes. Meanwhile, a new report by the American Cancer Society shows a shift in cancer diagnoses from older to younger adults, with more women being diagnosed than men.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on covid, RFK Jr., Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more.
Viewpoints: Steps Medical Professionals Can Take To Safeguard Immigrant Patients
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers tackle these public health issues.
Biden Issues Flurry Of Decisions At End Of Presidency; Trump Vows To Undo
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Friday, outgoing President Joe Biden said he was commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 prison inmates serving long terms for nonviolent drug offenses. Gun control and the Equal Rights Amendment were among the topics Biden was asked to consider in his final days in the White House.
States’ Lawsuit To Restrict Mifepristone Access Allowed To Proceed
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
After abortion opponents and doctors failed in their case to have the drug restricted — the Supreme Court ruled they lacked standing — Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri stepped in. Meanwhile, other states are making moves to protect reproductive rights.
AIDS Relief Program ‘In Jeopardy,’ Lawmaker Says, Citing Misuse Of Funds
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republican Sen. Jim Risch says PEPFAR money paid for abortions in Mozambique. Although the CDC acknowledged money was used to pay abortion providers who weren’t aware of the restrictions, it says the $4,100 has been returned. “CDC identified the error, took immediate action, has a plan in place to prevent it from happening again,” a spokesperson said.
UnitedHealth Group Dodges Blame for System Failures In Wake Of CEO Killing
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
In the first public appearance since Brian Thompson’s slaying in early December, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed the public’s discontent, skirting responsibility and blaming drug companies and hospitals for the health care system’s failures.
Arkansas Hopes To Reinstate Work Requirements For Medicaid
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
When Arkansas previously enacted work requirements in 2018, more than 18,000 people lost coverage. Also in the news: New Hampshire tackles the issue of exorbitant, unexpected ambulance bills; San Francisco’s public health director will step down; Montana seniors struggle with homelessness; and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 17, 2025
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Morning Briefing will not be published Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Look for it again in your inbox Tuesday.
First Edition: Friday, Jan. 17, 2025
January 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Note to readers: the First Edition will not be published Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Look for it again in your inbox Tuesday. Here are today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
