HHS Employees Receive Buyout Offer As Agency Looks To Shrink Workforce
March 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Workers who seek voluntary separation could receive up to $25,000. The 80,000 federal workers extended the offer include folks from the CDC, the FDA, and the NIH. They have until Friday to decide. More news is on funding cuts, VA staff cuts, and more.
RFK Jr. Plans Talks With Heads Of Major Food Companies
March 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The discussions, scheduled for today, will be the first sit-down meeting between the HHS chief and the companies he has claimed are harming Americans, Politico reports. Also making news: junk food removal from SNAP could have unintended consequences; MAHA targets school lunches; and more.
In Blow To Some Republicans, Funding Bill Allows For Medicare Doc Pay Cuts
March 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Politico reports that a measure that was skipped in the funding bill would have prevented further cuts to the salaries of doctors providing Medicare services. Also in the news: a call for changes in the Medicare enrollment system; the impact of potential Medicaid cuts on rural hospitals; and more.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Keeps Crozer Health System Open For Now
March 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Along with Crozer’s parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings, an agreement was reached to keep the health system open as they work to find a “long-term solution.” Also in the news: Mission Hospital, Cano Health, VillageMD, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, March 10, 2025
March 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
No matter which app you’re into, KFF Health News has you covered: Follow along on Instagram , TikTok , Bluesky , X , Facebook , and LinkedIn as we break down health care headlines and policy.
Despite Being Debunked, CDC Will Reinvestigate Vaccine, Autism Link
March 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Under the direction of HHS head Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the CDC will reinvestigate vaccine data. In other news, the CDC announced a new tool to identify conflicts of interest; GOP lawmakers introduce legislation to ban mRNA vaccines; and the latest on the measles outbreak.
First Edition: Monday, March 10, 2025
March 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
She Co-Founded the Office That Became DOGE. Now, She Sees ‘Irresponsible Transformation.’
By Sarah Kwon
March 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As a deputy chief technology officer in the Obama administration, Jennifer Pahlka brought Silicon Valley talent to Washington to streamline public access to government services. She believes better government technology could both ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted and that people who need health care and food assistance receive it.
MRNA Vaccines, Once a Trump Boast, Now Face Attacks From Some in GOP
By Stephanie Armour
March 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Republicans have proposed legislation in several states to ban the pioneering technology used in covid shots. Many doctors worry a huge medical advance could be rolled back.
How the FDA Opens the Door to Risky Chemicals in America’s Food Supply
By David Hilzenrath
March 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The FDA has relied on food companies for decades to determine whether their ingredients are safe. Some chemicals and additives are tied to health risks while others are absent from product labels.
Millions in US Live in Places Where Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach
By Sarah Jane Tribble Holly K. Hacker
Data visualizations by Lydia Zuraw
March 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Nearly 3 million Americans live sicker, shorter lives in the hundreds of rural counties where doctor shortages are the worst and poor internet connections mean little or no access to telehealth services.
Download the Data: Dead Zone
By Lydia Zuraw
March 7, 2025
Page
We encourage any news organization to use the data and localize it for your own reporting.
CDC Firings Fray Lifelines to Local Health Departments
By Rachana Pradhan
March 7, 2025
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.
Shutdown Looms Over Pennsylvania’s Crozer Health System
March 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The system was removed from its parent company, Prospect Medical Holdings, and placed into receivership last month, but the term is now up. In other news, industry leaders push for obesity care coverage; lawmakers push for better patient data protection; and more.
New Hampshire Advances Plan To Nix Group That Buys Childhood Vaccines
March 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The New Hampshire Vaccine Association served as a universal buying program, combining money from all insurers in the state to get a 30% discount on vaccines. Other news comes out of Washington, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and New York.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
March 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on funding cuts, Alzheimer’s drugs, chronic disease, and more.
Private Equity Firm Sycamore Partners Snaps Up Strained Walgreens For $10B
March 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
As part of the deal, which will be completed later this year, the Chicago-based pharmacy chain will sell its VillageMD unit. Other pharmaceutical news is about Cost Plus Drug Co., Eli Lilly, and more.
FDA Nominee Makary Signals Abortion Pills And Policy Will Get Another Look
March 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
During a hearing before the Senate health committee, the Johns Hopkins University surgeon also fielded questions about vaccines, agency layoffs, food additives, and vapes. Also, The Washington Post has published FDA food director Jim Jones’ resignation letter.
