CMS’ Attempt To Strip Hospital Funds Over Trans Care Could Take A While
December 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Thursday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services unveiled two rules to withhold federal funds from facilities that provide gender-affirming care for trans minors, but the public will have 60 days to comment on the proposals. With a large number of comments expected, it could take months or even a year to finalize the rules, one attorney told STAT.
With Cannabis Reclassification, CBD Will Be Covered For Medicare Patients
December 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
President Donald Trump’s executive order effectively speeds up the process to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III substance, a move that opens up access to Americans who want it and for researchers studying its medical use. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
ACA Subsidies, Funding Bill Punted To Next Year As Congress Takes A Break
December 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The enhanced tax credits that millions of Americans rely on to pay for health insurance on the Obamacare marketplace will expire Dec. 31, meaning premiums could soar. When Congress meets again, it’ll have mere weeks to pass funding legislation to avoid another government shutdown.
First Edition: Friday, Dec. 19, 2025
December 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Inside the FDA’s Vaccine Uproar
By Céline Gounder
December 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
An internal email claiming covid vaccines killed children triggered a formal response from a dozen past FDA commissioners. The email, sent by the head of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, outlines a framework that could have significant impact on the nation’s vaccine policies.
Las armas promovidas para la seguridad personal provocan una crisis de salud pública en comunidades negras
By Fred Clasen-Kelly Daniel Chang
December 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Las verificaciones de antecedentes para comprar armas aumentaron 60% de 2019 a 2020, año en que el gobierno federal declaró la emergencia sanitaria por covid.
States Advance Medical Debt Protections as Federal Support Turns to Opposition
By Rae Ellen Bichell
December 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials reversed their stance on medical debt credit reporting, then came a lawsuit in Colorado. As lawmakers in other states forge ahead with attempts to protect consumers from medical debt, some are reconsidering how they go about it.
Guns Marketed for Personal Safety Fuel Public Health Crisis in Black Communities
By Fred Clasen-Kelly Daniel Chang
December 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
During the covid pandemic, gun marketers told many Americans they needed firearms to defend against criminals and protesters. Then firearm deaths mounted rapidly in racially segregated and low-income neighborhoods, according to federal data.
Judge in Nursing Home Bankruptcy Case Gives Families Fresh Hope of Compensation for Injuries, Deaths
By Jordan Rau
December 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Genesis HealthCare’s controlling investor, Joel Landau, had sought to rebuy the nursing homes while gaining protection from settlement payments over allegations of poor care. A judge rejected the proposal and ordered a new auction. A KFF Health News investigation found Genesis settled hundreds of lawsuits but didn’t pay them out fully.
Scorpion Peppers Caused Him ‘Crippling’ Pain. Two Years Later, the ER Bill Stung Him Again.
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
December 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Homemade hot sauce sent a Colorado man to the emergency room with what he called “the worst pain of my life.” But stomach cramps were only the beginning. Two years later, the bill came.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Time’s Up for Expanded ACA Tax Credits
December 18, 2025
Podcast
A last-minute push from Democrats and four moderate Republicans will force a House vote on renewing enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans, but not until January. That means millions will have to choose between paying dramatically more or dropping coverage next year. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially drops the federal recommendation for newborns to receive a hepatitis B shot. Tami Luhby of CNN, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Lizzy Lawrence of Stat join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Tony Leys, who wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature, and the panel discusses the year’s biggest developments in health policy.
NEJM Evidence, CIDRAP Issue First ‘Public Health Alerts’ To Fill Data Gaps
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The joint report discussed mpox and H3N2 influenza. The collaboration aims to provide “timely, evidence-based alerts that can help local and state health leaders act quickly to protect the health of people in their communities,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Nebraska Medicaid Work Requirements Will Start May 1, Ahead Of Schedule
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Cornhusker State will be the first to fall in line with the Trump administration’s law that mandates 80 hours of work or community service each month, or part-time school enrollment for people 19 to 64 who have Medicaid coverage. States have until 2027 to implement that policy.
Study Shows High-Fat Cheese, Cream May Help Lower Dementia Risk
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The researchers note that no difference was seen for low-fat milk products, or whole milk, and that what the cows eat is also important. Other lifestyle and health news looks at warning signs of dementia; blood tests for Alzheimer’s; “holiday heart syndrome;” and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, December 18, 2025
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers health issues in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Check out our Montana, Colorado, Georgia, and California newsletters, too. Sign up here!
HHS Rescinds Millions In Grants Given To American Academy Of Pediatrics
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration said it is clawing back grants that “no longer align with the department’s mission or priorities.” The academy has been critical of how the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has approached vaccine policy.
House OKs GOP Health Care Bill Without Extending ACA Subsidies
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The vote was 216-211, but four Republicans have joined with Democrats in trying to force a vote on an extension of the ACA subsidies. Meanwhile, Affordable Care Act exchanges brace for chaos.
Anti-Transgender Bill Passes House; RFK Jr. Announces Restrictions
December 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile in Texas, the Department of Public Safety is amassing a list of transgender Texans using data from their driver’s licenses, and the state has opened a public tip line designed to help enforce the state’s “bathroom bill.”
