House Panel Sets Sights On Extending Health Care Provisions
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
The committee aims to secure bipartisan support for extending telehealth flexibilities in Medicare coverage as well as for provisions in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. Also in the news: ACA subsidies; health AI; and more.
Texas Poised To Enact Stricter Bans On Abortion Pills, Transgender Rights
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Lawmakers passed a bill that would allow private citizens to sue out-of-state medical providers who mail abortion medication to Texas patients. They also passed a bill that would ban trans people from using public bathrooms or locker rooms that align with their genders. Both bills await the signature of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.
Study: People 65 And Older Receive Substandard Care For Opioid Disorder
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Drug overdose deaths for people in that age group rose 11.4% between 2022 and 2023, CDC data show. Also: Scientists have developed a powerful non-opioid painkiller; controversy brews over involuntary addiction treatment; and more.
FDA: Pharma Firm Used Contaminated IV Bags For Epidural Injectable Drug
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Amneal Pharmaceuticals lowered its standards to be able to continue using the bags even after the problem had been identified, the FDA said in a warning letter sent last week. Other news is on a one-shot early syphilis treatment trial, GLP-1 drugs, and more.
Scientists Find New MS Subtype Characterized By Cognitive Impairment
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
The unrecognized subtype exhibits minimal motor impairment. The researchers have created an accessible and effective online tool to assess cognitive impairment, which they noted is not currently a standard part of clinical practice. Other news looks at avian flu, measles outbreaks, and more.
Viewpoints: We Are Losing Our Freedom To Choose Vaccination; The CDC Is Becoming Unrecognizable
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Opinion writers tackle vaccines, the CDC, and the U.S. drug supply.
Several Covid Vax Skeptics Might Join ACIP; RFK Jr. Testifies At Senate Today
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Politico reports that it has seen an internal list that included the names of at least three people who have questioned the safety of mRNA vaccines. It’s unclear whether new members could join the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices before its next meeting Sept. 18-19. Plus: The FDA questions the safety of getting covid and flu vaccines at the same time.
West Coast States Form Health Alliance In Response To Trump’s CDC
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Wednesday, the governors of California, Washington, and Oregon announced the creation of the West Coast Health Alliance, aimed at providing public health and vaccine guidance separate from the CDC. Other vaccine news comes from Colorado, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Florida.
Research Powerhouse Harvard Secures Win Over Trump’s $2B Funding Freeze
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston ruled the government violated the university’s free speech rights when it withheld grants, noting the administration “used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country’s premier universities, and did so in a way that runs afoul” of the law. A separate judge has blocked foreign aid cuts.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, September 4, 2025
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Join us at 3 p.m. today for a live discussion: KFF Health News’ Stephanie Armour, Julie Rovner, and Arthur Allen, and KFF’s Josh Michaud discuss the biggest takeaways from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s hearing before the Senate Finance Committee. Tune in here.
First Edition: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025
September 4, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Listen: Limiting Benefits and Adding Restrictions, ‘MAHA’ Reshapes Food Aid
By Renuka Rayasam
September 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The White House and congressional Republicans have made historic changes to the federal anti-hunger program SNAP. They say the changes will boost healthy eating for low-income Americans. Some nutrition experts aren’t so sure.
As Insurers Struggle With GLP-1 Drug Costs, Some Seek To Wean Patients Off
By Jamie Ducharme
September 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Conventional wisdom says GLP-1 drugs must be taken indefinitely to maintain weight loss. But a growing number of researchers, payers, and providers are challenging that consensus and exploring whether — and how — to taper patients off expensive GLP-1 drugs.
Fighting a Health Insurance Denial? Here Are 7 Tips To Help
By Lauren Sausser
September 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Many people don’t know they can fight a health insurance denial, let alone how to do it. Here are practical tips for consumers who want to appeal a prior authorization decision.
Watch: How Controversies Over Vaccine Changes Affect You
By Céline Gounder
September 3, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Céline Gounder, KFF Health News’ editor-at-large for public health, discusses leadership changes at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and concerns over vaccine policy.
First Covid Pill That Prevents Infection After Exposure Awaits FDA Approval
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a phase 3 trial, ensitrelvir — known as Xocova — showed a 67% reduction in risk of covid infection in patients treated after exposure. The drug has already been approved for use in Japan. Also, a new clinical trial shows covid may be prevented by using a common nasal antihistamine spray.
OpenAI Will Offer Parental Controls After California Teen’s Suicide
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
The change will be introduced to ChatGPT within the next month, the company said Tuesday. Plus: The suicide rate among older Coloradans has not budged in a decade, The Colorado Sun reported.
Victims’ Families, Survivors Of Maine Mass Shooting Sue US Government
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
The plaintiffs argue that the U.S. Army could and should have done more to stop the 2023 shooting that killed 18 people in Lewiston, AP reported, because it reportedly knew that the gunman had mental health issues. Also: President Donald Trump raises the possibility of arming teachers who have served as “distinguished” military service members.
Advanced-Stage Prostate Cancer Rates See Sharp Rise In Past Decade
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
The report also shows that declines in mortality rates have slowed, from 3%-4% per year to 0.6% per year in the past decade. Plus: A study looks at cancer-fighting properties of a plant-based nutrient. More news is on Alzheimer’s; the link between brain tumors and the birth control shot; and more.
Different Takes: RFK Jr. Decries ‘Irrational Policy’ At CDC; Congress Must Take A Stand On Its Fate
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers examine the controversy over the CDC and other public health issues.
