‘I Am Going Through Hell’: Job Loss, Mental Health, and the Fate of Federal Workers
By Rachana Pradhan Aneri Pattani
Illustration by Oona Zenda
March 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Since the Trump administration began firing federal workers, they say they feel overwhelmed, have obtained or considered seeking psychiatric care and medication, and are anxious about paying their bills. And soon, their health insurance will run out.
West Virginia Becomes First State To Ban Virtually All Artificial Food Dyes
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Although the legislation will go into effect in 2028, school meals will not be allowed to have the dyes beginning in August. In other news: HHS Chief RFK Jr. lays out his plan to ensure the safety of baby formula; soda companies push to remain covered by food stamps; and more.
More Health Care Leaders Plan To Leave Jobs This Year, Survey Shows
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The number of people in leadership positions willing to leave within the next 12 months rose by five percentage points when compared with last year’s figures. Other industry news includes management cuts at Yale New Haven Health; health systems responding to anti-DEI efforts; and more.
Tennessee Logs First Measles Case Of 2025
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
It is unclear how the person was exposed to the virus, officials say. Meanwhile, experts warn air travel may lead to more imported cases. Other news is on dengue fever outbreaks in popular spring break destinations; New York City’s mental health programs; and more.
Bayer Directed To Pay Cancer Patient Nearly $2.1 Billion In Roundup Case
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
A Georgia man maintains two decades of using the weedkiller caused his cancer. Also in the news: prostate cancer, breast cancer, and cancer research funding cuts.
Acting Chief Susan Monarez, Who Is Not A Physician, Tapped To Lead CDC
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The biosecurity expert has degrees in microbiology and previously served as deputy director of ARPA-H. For the first time, the post will require Senate confirmation, following a law change in 2022.
Feds Scrapping Office That Researched, Coordinated Response To Long Covid
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The health care system could wind up providing long and costly care for Americans plagued by lingering effects of a covid infection, one HHS staffer warns. An estimated 23 million people have long covid.
23AndMe Users Rush To Remove Genetic Information After Bankruptcy
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Customers concerned about privacy attempted to delete their data but struggled to receive deletion confirmation, The Wall Street Journal reported. In other news: the FDA approves a lab-grown blood vessel; UK drugmaker GSK Plc is studying its shingles vaccine for expanded use as dementia prevention; and more.
Supreme Court Case Involving Planned Parenthood Could Wreck Medicaid
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The case asks the Supreme Court to render much of federal law unenforceable, in an attempt to hurt abortion providers, Vox reports. In other Medicaid news: CDPAP program extends enrollment period; Ohio Medicaid delays confirmed by providers despite denial by state officials; and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, March 25, 2025
March 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.
First Edition: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
March 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Bill That Congressman Says Protects Medicaid Doesn’t — And Would Likely Require Cutting It
By Julie Appleby
March 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota, a Long Island Republican, told his constituents that he voted for the House-passed GOP budget resolution because it protects Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. However, the bill charges a committee with making cuts that likely can’t be attained without slashing Medicaid.
Many People With Disabilities Risk Losing Their Medicaid if They Work Too Much
By Tony Leys
March 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As politicians demand that more Medicaid recipients work, many people with disabilities say their state programs’ income and asset caps force them to limit their work hours or turn down promotions.
Europe Is Warning Travelers To Be Careful In America If They Are LGBTQ+
March 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The United States has long warned its own citizens to be careful if traveling to an unstable country. In a flip of the script, several nations are now telling their citizens to be careful in the United States.
Trump Administration Will Import Eggs As Prices Spike Due To Bird Flu
March 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Turkey and South Korea have signed on to send eggs to the U.S., and more deals are in the works. Hundreds of millions of eggs are expected to be imported. Also: the measles outbreak grows, surpassing last year’s total count; tuberculosis is on the rise; and more.
Abortion A Key Issue In Wis. Election That Could Alter State’s High Court
March 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The state’s Supreme Court is considering whether to reactivate a 19th-century law crafted when married women had no legal identity and could not vote. The winner of the election could sway how the court rules. Also, New Jersey, Texas, Wyoming, and Missouri weigh abortion issues.
Residency Match Rates Largely Stable As Pool Of Applicants Grows
March 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Notably, there was renewed interest in emergency medicine and pediatrics. Also, nursing is the most competitive major at the University of California. Other industry news includes a nurses strike at Butler Memorial Hospital, doctors’ frustration with the health care system, and more.
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge Safety Nets Are Working
March 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports on a new study indicating that the nets have reduced suicides by 73%. Other health news comes from Texas, North Carolina, California, and Colorado.
