Senator’s Probe Of 340B Program Finds ‘Transparency And Oversight Concerns’
April 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana doctor, released a report Thursday detailing “much-needed” reforms to the drug pricing program. Also: A House Democrat demands to know how the CDC will respond to Freedom of Information Act requests after relevant staff members were put on leave.
Closing Of Rockledge Hospital In Fla. Leaves More Than 60,000 Without ER
April 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Orlando Health, citing poor conditions and neglect, shuttered the hospital and its emergency room on Wednesday, Central Florida Public Media reported. Meanwhile, businesses in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, have expressed worry over the loss of customers amid Crozer Health Hospitals’ closure.
Idaho Joins List Of States Making Ivermectin Available Over The Counter
April 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The deworming medication commonly used in animals was embroiled in controversy during the early days of the covid-19 pandemic. The drug has not been shown to protect against covid. Still, having a human version readily available might help prevent people from taking toxic doses of the veterinary version, some experts say.
First Edition: Friday, April 25, 2025
April 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
What ‘Fertilization President’ Trump Can Learn From State Efforts To Expand IVF Access
By Sarah Kwon
April 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
State-level efforts to regulate fertility coverage reveal the gauntlet of budgetary and political hurdles such initiatives face — obstacles that have led to millions of people being left out even when mandates become law.
Moms in Crisis, Jobs Lost: The Human Cost of Trump’s Addiction Funding Cuts
By Aneri Pattani
April 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
In many cases, the money flowed to addiction recovery programs that help rebuild lives by driving people to medical appointments and court hearings, crafting résumés and training them for new jobs, finding them housing, and helping them build social connections unrelated to drugs.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Can Congress Reconcile Trump’s Wishes With Medicaid’s Needs?
April 24, 2025
Podcast
When Congress returns next week, it will be writing a budget reconciliation bill that’s expected to cut taxes but also make deep cuts to Medicaid. But at least some Republicans are concerned about cutting a program that aids so many of their constituents. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss this story and more. Also, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Rae Ellen Bichell about her story on how care for transgender minors is changing in Colorado.
Prominent Abortion Doctor Retires, Shutters Colorado Clinic After 50 Years
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Dr. Warren Hern, who provided late-term abortions for women “in the worst moments of their lives” and who faced constant threats, opened his private clinic in 1975. More news comes from Texas, Florida, New York, and California.
Crozer Health Diverts Patients As Owner’s Closure Plans Get Approved
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
A day after a federal bankruptcy judge approved Prospect Medical Holdings’ plans, Crozer Health hospitals began sending emergency patients to other hospitals. Crozer has provided EMS support for 50% of the calls in Delaware County, and now longer wait times and greater distances are expected.
A Road Map For Other Hospitals: UPMC Shares Xylazine Treatment Playbook
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Xylazine, an animal tranquilizer also referred to as the “zombie drug,” is sometimes found mixed with illegal opioid drugs and has “gruesome” side effects. Other pharma news is on quitting vaping, legal battles over weight loss drugs, and more.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
988 Suicide Hotline For LGBTQ+ Youth Is Vulnerable To Trump Budget Cuts
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The proposed plan to defund the crisis line, which has received more than 1.2 million contacts since 2022, is among the programs threatened for elimination under the government’s budget proposal. Also in the news: milk testing, food safety labs, drug data, addiction research, and more.
Gut Toxin Might Be Tied To Steep Increase In Early-Onset Colon Cancer
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers found that the toxin’s negative effects begin in childhood. In other news, contrary to what has been said, the food industry says no agreement is in place with the HHS to remove artificial food dyes.
Measles Case Near Dallas Is First In An Urban Area During Current Outbreak
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
A middle school student north of Dallas has tested positive. Meanwhile, Illinois has confirmed its first case in the state. Plus: A study in mice shows that covid is still contagious a week or more after the mouse has died; a single dose of Xofluza cuts down on household transmission of flu; and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, April 24, 2025
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
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First Edition: Thursday, April 24, 2025
April 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An Arm and a Leg: Winning a Two-Year Fight Over a Bogus Bill
By Dan Weissmann
April 24, 2025
Podcast
How one “Arm and a Leg” listener stayed encouraged during a two-year fight over a bill she didn’t owe.
A Chicago Hospital Bows to Federal Pressure on Trans Care for Teens
By Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ Chicago
April 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
In the wake of an executive order by President Donald Trump opposing gender-affirming surgeries for minors, hospitals are pausing procedures — even those already scheduled. Families fear the eventual loss of all gender-affirming care for their transgender kids.
