Judge Declares Mistrial In Florida Hospitals’ Opioid Case
December 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
The 16 Florida hospitals had accused Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens of driving up opioid sales. Jurors deliberated for 14 days but could not reach a unanimous verdict. Also: West Virginia sues United Healthcare over the opioid crisis.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, December 9, 2025
December 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
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First Edition: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025
December 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Rural Health Providers Could Be Collateral Damage From $100K Trump Visa Fee
By Arielle Zionts Phillip Reese
December 9, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Dozens of health care organizations have asked the Trump administration to shield the doctors, nurses, and techs they need to fill shortages from the president’s new $100,000 visa fee for skilled foreign workers. So far, there’s no sign of a reprieve.
Out-of-Pocket Pain From High-Deductible Plans Means Skimping on Care
By Charlotte Huff
December 9, 2025
KFF Health News Original
High-deductible health insurance plans are increasingly common, and many more enrollees will likely need to choose such plans for the coming year. For those with chronic conditions like diabetes, the gamble can mean compromised care and long-term consequences.
Trump’s Idea for Health Accounts Has Been Tried. Millions of Patients Have Ended Up in Debt.
By Noam N. Levey
December 9, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Republican calls to give Americans cash instead of health insurance subsidies double down on a decades-old strategy of moving people into high-deductible plans with health savings accounts.
California Warns Against Mushroom Foraging After Deadly Poisoning
December 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
California officials have reported one fatality and nearly two dozen cases of amatoxin poisoning, possibly caused by death cap mushrooms. The toxin can lead to severe liver damage and death. Other states in the news include Massachusetts, Illinois, Nebraska, and Maine.
Scientists Tap Into Mitochondria To Reverse Aging, Fight Dementia
December 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
A new method transforms a patient’s own cells by changing them into stem cells and adding “nanoflower” particles, resulting in increased mitochondria production that can target aging cells. Also: Researchers find reading is good for the aging brain; diabetes is linked to sudden cardiac death; and more.
After Hep B Guidance Change, Trump Orders Quick Review Of Vaccine Plan
December 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
In ordering the review of vaccine recommendations, the president said he thinks the United States’ core childhood vaccine schedule should be updated “to align with such scientific evidence and best practices from peer, developed countries.” Plus, insurers will still cover the hepatitis B shot.
Unhappy With Zeldin’s Performance, MAHA Advocates Want EPA Chief Fired
December 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
President Trump “made a promise to the American people to address pesticides and reduce childhood chronic illnesses,” one influencer said. Lee Zeldin instead has weakened protections against toxic chemicals, activists contend. Plus, ProPublica examines the EPA’s revision of how the health dangers posed by formaldehyde are assessed.
Congress Faces Make-Or-Break Timing On ACA Subsidies, Health Care Costs
December 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
Congress’ docket this week includes the introduction of a House leadership-endorsed health care plan and a potential Senate vote on Democrats’ three-year subsidies’ extension. Other news on health care costs is on a charge for pre-visit questionnaires, a rise in spending on prescription drugs, and more.
Health Policy Experts Wary Over What Is In The Fine Print Of $50B Rural Fund
December 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a bid to get a larger piece of the funding, several states also vowed to change their own laws, Politico reported — making promises, for example, to restrict low-income people from using SNAP to buy junk food or to expand telehealth.
First Edition: Monday, Dec. 8, 2025
December 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
A North Carolina Hospital Was Slated To Open in 2025. Mired in Bureaucracy, It’s Still a Dirt Field.
By Andrew Jones
December 8, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Regulations meant to prevent unfettered health care expansion are withholding needed hospital beds in a rural part of North Carolina. Here, as in communities around the country, some officials and health care providers are contesting such “certificate of need” laws.
Watch: What Do Republicans Really Want on Health Care?
By Julie Rovner
December 8, 2025
KFF Health News Original
On “What the Health? From KFF Health News,” distributed by WAMU, chief Washington correspondent and podcast host Julie Rovner sat down with Avik Roy, a GOP health policy adviser, to talk about how health care has evolved as a Republican Party issue.
Journalists Dig Into Maine HIV Outbreak and Ever-Closer End to Enhanced ACA Subsidies
December 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
In RFK Jr.’s Upside-Down World of Vaccines, Panel Votes To End Hepatitis B Shot at Birth
By Arthur Allen
December 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A session of a vaccine panel dominated by skeptics was chaotically at odds with past practices of the CDC, which HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has described as a “cesspool of corruption.” His crew voted to end a 34-year recommendation to vaccinate newborns against hepatitis B.
Feds Promised ‘Radical Transparency’ but Withhold $50B Rural Fund Details
By Sarah Jane Tribble
December 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
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