Law Banning Gun Sales To Americans 18 To 20 Ruled Unconstitutional
January 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
An appeals court determined that the federal law requiring adults to be 21 or older to purchase firearms went against the Second Amendment. Meanwhile, gun violence researchers sound warning bells as the Office of Gun Violence Prevention is emptied and the safety board created to prevent school shootings is disbanded by the Trump administration.
Cigna Vows To Change Policies On Prior Authorization, Patient Advocacy
January 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
CEO David Cordani suggested Thursday that the moves are a direct response to the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the public outcry over the state of health care. Other news is on CommonSpirit, Steward Health Care, Cardinal Health, and more.
Morning Briefing for Friday, January 31, 2025
January 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
Want to catch up on this week's KFF Health News stories? Try our new Friday newsletter, The Week in Brief. You'll get a fresh take on one of our top stories, a recap of our best social media coverage, and more. Don’t miss out — sign up here !
RFK Jr.’s Confirmation As Health Secretary Remains Too Close To Call
January 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
After two days of Senate committee hearings, four Republicans have declined to commit to approving Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose stance on vaccines remains a hot-button issue even after being presented with scientific evidence. Kennedy also told senators he favors opioid addiction medications as well as AI and telehealth for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
Pentagon Ends Abortion Travel Policy For Troops And Their Families
January 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Biden-era policy provided paid leave and reimbursement for troops to travel outside the state where they are stationed to obtain abortions or reproductive care. Trump critics claim these policies distract the military from its mission to defend the nation. Meanwhile, infant mortality has been going up since the constitutional right to abortion was overturned in 2022.
First Edition: Friday, Jan. 31, 2025
January 31, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Drawn-Out Overhaul of Troubled Montana Hospital Leaves Lawmakers in Limbo
By Mara Silvers, Montana Free Press
January 31, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Unsure how to help the troubled psychiatric facility, legislators look to shore up other parts of the state’s mental health system.
Trump’s Order on Gender-Affirming Care Escalates Reversal of Trans Rights
By Julie Appleby
January 31, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Jan. 28 executive order directs federal regulators to cut insurance coverage for hormonal or surgical treatments that help in young people’s gender transitions and cut federal funding for medical professionals or institutions that provide such care. It will likely be challenged in court.
Most Insurance Covers IUDs. Hers Cost More Than $14,000.
By Julie Appleby
Updated January 31, 2025
Originally Published January 31, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Affordable Care Act requires most insurance plans to cover preventive care, including many forms of contraception, without cost to patients — but not if they’re “grandfathered” plans, which predate the law.
Orden de Trump sobre procedimientos de afirmación de género pone en peligro los derechos trans
By Julie Appleby
January 31, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Aunque está dirigida principalmente a programas de salud del gobierno, la orden también podría tener implicaciones para el sector privado y es probable que enfrente litigios por parte de los estados o grupos de defensa.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: RFK Jr. in the Hot Seat
January 30, 2025
Podcast
President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the vast Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced sharp questioning from senators this week, particularly over his history of vaccine denialism. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s second week has been even more disruptive than its first, with an on-again, off-again funding freeze that left many around the country scrambling to understand what was going on. Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Nicholas Bagley, a University of Michigan law professor, who explains how the federal regulatory system is supposed to operate to make health policy.
Recapping the RFK Jr. Hearings: A Live Discussion With KFF Health News Journalists
January 30, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News reporters break down the biggest takeaways from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearings for secretary of Health and Human Services.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
January 30, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
REM Sleep, Cholesterol Could Be Factors In Dementia, Researchers Find
January 30, 2025
Morning Briefing
In other health news, the Government Accountability Office wants the USDA to tighten its food-safety standards for salmonella, listeria, and Campylobacter; bird flu strikes the nation’s second largest egg producer; and more.
RFK Jr.’s Grasp Of Medicaid, Medicare On Display At Senate Hearing
January 30, 2025
Morning Briefing
Fielding questions from Democrats and Republicans, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave several uninformed answers about the Health and Human Services programs he would oversee, The New York Times reports. The HHS nominee also indicated mifepristone access could be curtailed.
On Day 2 Of Hearings, RFK Jr. Will Face 3 Senators Whose Votes Are Crucial
January 30, 2025
Morning Briefing
HHS nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will answer questions today from Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, all members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Politico reports that Kennedy opponents would need all three of them, plus one more Republican, to defeat his nomination.
Bipartisan Lawmakers Press To Repeal ‘Mexico City’ Abortion Policy
January 30, 2025
Morning Briefing
After President Trump last week reinstated the Mexico City Policy, which restricts federal aid from going to groups that provide abortion services, Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) reintroduced a bill to counter the “detrimental effect on the ability of women around the world to access important health services and reproductive care.”
Cigna: US Patients’ Drug Expenses Won’t Exceed Employer Contributions
January 30, 2025
Morning Briefing
In the wake of federal pressure over its prescription costs, Cigna Group is looking to lower the out-of-pocket drug expenses that its patients face by matching the amount to employer contributions and not the company’s list price. Other news covers drug prices, strikes, clinic closures, and more.
