Fauci Dismisses ‘Baseless Threats’ Over Handling Of Pandemic, Takes Pardon
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
The pardon stretches from Jan. 1, 2014, to Jan. 19, 2025, which includes his time as a member of the White House’s covid-19 task force. Meanwhile, HHS has debarred EcoHealth Alliance Inc. and its former president, Peter Daszak, for five years over its virus studies.
US Health Care Systems Post Another Bad Year For Cyberattacks
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
A record 184 million people had their health care data compromised in 2024. Despite the troubling numbers, one AHA adviser commends companies’ cooperation with authorities, saying quick action helped ward off further attacks. Also in the news: MedPAC, independent surgeons, and more.
California Wildfires Caused Dangerous Levels Of Chlorine And Lead In The Air
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Also in California, mental health workers address the struggles of fire refugees. In other news: North Carolina welcomes a new DHHS secretary; Colorado hospitals show uneven growth; St. Petersburg, Florida, wants a hurricane wall to protect its hospital; and more.
Hours Into Presidency, Trump Rescinds Attempts To Lower Prescription Costs, Rolls Back Some ACA Rules
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump overwrote Joe Biden’s executive order that led to longer enrollment periods for Affordable Care Act plans in most states and extra funding to help people enroll, Stat reports. Trump also halted some prescription cost-saving efforts for people on Medicare and Medicaid, which might stall momentum for Medicare drug pricing negotiations. On Friday, another 15 drugs — including blockbusters Ozempic and Wegovy — were added to the negotiation list.
Trump Signals Intent To Withdraw US From World Health Organization
January 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Leaving the WHO means the CDC would no longer have access to the global data that the agency provides, making it harder to fight the next pandemic. “This is going to be a grave strategic error that will make America less healthy and less safe,” said global public health expert Lawrence Gostin.
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.
