Amid Surging Measles Cases, Dr. Oz Implores People To Get The Vaccine
February 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
As the United States flirts with losing its measles elimination designation, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator endorsed the vaccine: “We have a solution for our problem.” His statement came as the CDC reported another spike across the nation and as health officials worked to contain the spread of the virus after a contagious person attended the March for Life rally.
CMS Chief Alleges Social Services Fraud In Maine, Calls It ‘Another Big Crisis’
February 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
Dr. Mehmet Oz has likened the alleged fraud in Maine to Minnesota’s welfare fraud scandal, which led to the immigration crackdown efforts run by ICE in that state. Plus: A New York judge extended a preliminary injunction blocking social service cuts in five Democratic-led states.
Cheaper Generics Exist For Many Drugs Promised At Lower Cost On TrumpRx
February 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
Stat reports that at least 18 brand-name drugs on TrumpRx are available in generic form for cheaper through GoodRx or Cost Plus Drugs. Plus: Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon called TrumpRx “nothing more than a glorified coupon book.”
First Edition: Monday, Feb. 9, 2026
February 9, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
This Ballad Hospital, Flooded by Hurricane Helene, Will Be Rebuilt for $44M in a Flood Plain
By Brett Kelman
February 9, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Ballad Health, the nation’s largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly, plans to rebuild Unicoi County Hospital on land that two climate modeling companies say is at risk of flooding.
Watch: Is MAHA the New MAGA?
By Hannah Norman and Bram Sable-Smith
February 9, 2026
KFF Health News Original
With fractures emerging in the Make America Great Again movement, some Republicans are looking to capitalize on its “MAHA” counterpart ahead of the midterms.
Public Health Workers Are Quitting Over Assignments to Guantánamo
By Amy Maxmen
February 9, 2026
KFF Health News Original
U.S. Public Health Service doctors and nurses are being deployed to Guantánamo and other detention centers as President Donald Trump escalates mass arrests in his campaign to curb immigration. Some have resigned in protest. Others offer a rare look into bleak conditions.
Journalists Describe Drivers of High Health Costs and Spell Out the Science of Protein
February 7, 2026
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Newsom Tries To Thread Needle on Immigrant Health as Ambitions Turn National
By Christine Mai-Duc
February 6, 2026
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.
Con ICE usando datos de Medicaid, hospitales y estados están en medio de una encrucijada: informar o no a sus pacientes inmigrantes
By Phil Galewitz and Amanda Seitz
February 6, 2026
KFF Health News Original
Ponerlos al tanto de estos riesgos podría disuadirlos de inscribirse en el Medicaid de Emergencia, que ofrece atención médica de urgencias a inmigrantes que no califican para la cobertura regular de Medicaid.
A Dose Of Upbeat And Inspiring News
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
Today’s stories are on making art accessible for people with disabilities, mental health care for veterans, giving hope to breast cancer survivors, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on Guardian Caps, near-death experiences, dissociative identity disorder, and more.
CDC Ordered To Revoke $602M In ‘Woke’ Health Funds From Blue States
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
The health programs facing cuts include HIV prevention efforts in Illinois, health disparity mitigation in Colorado, and LGBTQ studies in California. The Trump administration also moved to eliminate job protections from as many as 50,000 federal workers.
RFK Jr. Claims Dietary Changes Can Cure Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
Scholars quickly pointed out that although scientists are studying whether diet “might be helpful” in patients with schizophrenia, “no credible evidence” exists to support the claim made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
After Long Wait, Texas Is Training Doctors On Permitted Abortions
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
The Life of the Mother Act passed last year requires the state board to provide guidance to doctors on when they can legally intervene and terminate a pregnancy to protect the life of the patient. Plus: Several doctors who led the pandemic response in their states are now running for office.
HHS Requests Inquiry of Johns Hopkins Over Alleged ‘Sex-Rejecting Procedures’
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
The Health and Human Services Department’s general counsel, Mike Stuart, said he has referred the Baltimore-based hospital and health system to the Office of Inspector General. In other news from Baltimore, the Justice Department is investigating the city’s health department over allegations that it holds racially segregated trainings, CBS News reported.
World Trade Center Health Program Receives Full Funding Through 2040
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
The program has helped more than 150,000 people get long-term care and medical monitoring after being exposed to toxins after the 9/11 attacks. Also, the latest news about the immigration crisis.
Morning Briefing for Friday, February 6, 2026
February 6, 2026
Morning Briefing
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