Disability Bias Complaints Peak as the Office That Investigates Them Is Gutted
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Where Do Docs Get Paid The Most? Rochester, Minn., Home Of Mayo Clinic
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Physicians in the Rochester metro area make $495,532 a year on average. This was the first year Doximity included Rochester in its annual rankings, MPR News reported, after expanding its analysis from the top 50 most populous metro areas to the top 60.
Despite New Texas Law, Abortion Pill Providers Refuse To Obey In Advance
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Wednesday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that allows residents to sue someone they suspect of manufacturing, distributing, or mailing abortion medication into the state. In response, out-of-state providers have vowed to continue providing care.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on obesity, weight loss, terminal cancer, natural childbirth, and more.
Vaccine Panel Proposes Splitting MMR, Varicella Shots For Kids Under 4
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The recommendation stems from data that indicate young children have a small risk for febrile seizures. Public health experts question the motive behind the change, with one noting: “This feels like using a known, disclosed, managed risk to undermine confidence in the entire schedule.” Next up for ACIP review: hepatitis B, and vaccines given during pregnancy.
US Shifts Strategy On Global Health Aid
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
After dismantling the United States Agency for International Development, the State Department will turn to multi-year bilateral agreements that require recipient nations to pony up funds for health initiatives while meeting “performance benchmarks.” Plus, the HHS overhaul remains blocked.
Fight Over ACA Subsidies Will Decide Fate Of Stopgap Funding Bill In House
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The House will vote today. The Republican measure would fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats say Congress won’t have the votes to get the bill passed unless it addresses health care policies. High on Democrats’ priority list is an extension of ACA subsidies, which would cost the government roughly $350 billion, the CBO estimates.
Chemical Breakthrough Could Lower Some Drug Production Costs, Prices
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers are exploring a cost-reducing pathway to produce one of the crucial building blocks in cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics. Plus, news on specialty pharmacies; autoimmune drug production; obesity drug marketing; and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 19, 2025
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Behind on your reading? Catch up on this week's KFF Health News stories with The Week in Brief, delivered every Friday to your inbox. Sign up here !
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Exactech Will Pay $8M To Settle Lawsuits Over Defective Knee Implant Parts
By Fred Schulte
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Whistleblower lawsuits alleged that Exactech covered up defects in knee implants while patient injuries mounted.
Listen: The Surprising Power of Pushback When Health Insurance Won’t Pay
By Jackie Fortiér
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Denied coverage for preventive care? You’re not powerless. In this new episode of NPR’s “Life Kit” podcast, KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér explores why denials happen and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Kennedy’s Take on Vaccine Science Fractures Cohesive National Public Health Strategies
By Stephanie Armour Christine Mai-Duc Amy Maxmen Arthur Allen
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A lack of faith in the soundness of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new direction has led states to explore enacting their own vaccine policies. A patchwork of divergent recommendations and requirements could result.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Ousted CDC Officials Clap Back at RFK Jr.
September 18, 2025
Podcast
Fired less than a month after being confirmed as head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Susan Monarez appeared at a dramatic Senate hearing this week alongside another ousted CDC official and directly contradicted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s earlier testimony about why she was fired. Monarez told the Health, […]
Eli Lilly Study Shows Mounjaro As New Way To Fight Childhood Diabetes
September 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The positive results show that the shot reduced blood sugar levels by an average of about 2% in kids as young as 10, as well as a 10% reduction in body weight after a year of treatment. Plus: how GLP-1 drugs could help patients on antipsychotics live longer; the link between medical imaging and blood cancer in kids; and more.
Study: Vitamin B3 Linked To A Reduction In Skin Cancer Risk
September 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers found the biggest reduction in risk among people who began taking B3 after their first skin cancer diagnosis. Other public health coverage is on the benefits of blueberries on infants’ immune systems, mental health, and more.
Blind People Decry Changes To Iowa’s Independent-Living Program
September 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
A state training initiative ended a requirement that people in the program use sleep shades, or eye masks that block out all light. Former participants say the shades are critical to understanding how much a vision-impaired person can achieve in daily life, especially if the person is newly impaired.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
September 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
