For Seniors With Hoarding Disorder, a Support Group Helps Confront Stigma and Isolation
By Sarah Boden
March 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Hoarding disorder disproportionately affects older people. As baby boomers age, it is a growing public health concern. Effective treatments are scarce, and treating hoarding can require expensive interventions that drain municipal resources. Some experts fear a coming crisis.
To Patients, Parents, and Caregivers, Proposed Medicaid Cuts Are a Personal Affront
By Bernard J. Wolfson
March 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
At a town hall in Orange County, California, angry residents said Congress should keep its hands off Medicaid. The cuts contemplated in a House budget blueprint would bore a giant hole in California’s version of the safety net health insurance program, Medi-Cal, which covers nearly 15 million residents.
Para pacientes, padres y cuidadores, los recortes a Medicaid son una afrenta personal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
March 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
La primera semana de marzo, la Cámara de Representantes aprobó un plan presupuestario republicano que podría reducir el gasto de Medicaid en $880.000 millones a lo largo de 10 años.
Supreme Court Backs Away From Case Over Hacked Health Care Data
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
At question was whether a Federally Qualified Health Center is immune from liability over a former patient’s stolen personally identifying information, Fierce Healthcare explains. Plus: news on UnitedHealth, CVS, Wellvana, Monogram Health, Ensign Group, the HIMSS conference, and more.
Georgia Hides New Maternal Mortality Committee Members’ Identities
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Department of Public Health, which previously disclosed that information, “determined that the broad confidentiality protections directed toward the committee should be extended to the identities of the committee members.” Other news comes from Oregon, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania.
With A Day’s Notice, Some Fired CDC Staff Are Asked To Return To Work
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Workers were notified Tuesday that their terminations had been rescinded, though emails offered no guarantee that they wouldn’t be laid off again. Also Tuesday, a federal judge has extended a block on halting funding for gender-affirming care while a lawsuit makes its way through the courts.
Justice Department Drops Biden-Era Challenge to Idaho Abortion Ban
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
The yearslong legal battle sought to protect women whose pregnancies pose serious health risks, granting them the right to an abortion in a medical emergency. Idaho has a near-total ban on abortions. More abortion news comes from South Carolina, Alabama, Wyoming, and Missouri.
CMS Rescinds Waivers For CHIP Programs, ‘Section 1115’ Medicaid
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
The agency said Tuesday it will consider states’ applications on a case-by-case basis, Modern Healthcare reported. The programs pay for high-risk services such as help for people transitioning from institutional care or temporary housing and meals for people who become homeless.
North America Is On Track To Lose Measles Elimination Status
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
The U.S. gained that status in 2000, after both North and South America were declared measles-free in 2016, CBS News reported. Meanwhile, as the measles outbreak spreads to nine states, HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. touts alternative treatments such as vitamin A and cod liver oil.
Sperm Motility Identified As A Factor In Life Expectancy For Men
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Men with a higher number of strong swimmers tend to live almost three years longer than those with lower numbers, researchers find. Meanwhile, when it comes to menopause, female patients reportedly aren’t getting the information they need.
Health Care Likely To Get Burned By Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, China
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Trade groups are urging the administration to consider the impact on patient care and are pushing for exemptions to the tariffs. Also in the news: Pfizer might move production to the U.S. to combat pharmaceutical tariffs.
First Edition: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
March 5, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
CDC Firings Undermine Public Health Work Far Beyond Washington
By Rachana Pradhan
March 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Trump administration’s sudden firings have gutted training programs across the nation that bolstered state and local public health departments.
Years Later, Centene Settlements With States Still Unfinished
By Andy Miller
March 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
At least 20 states have settled disputes with health insurance giant Centene since 2021 over allegations that its pharmacy benefit manager operation overcharged their Medicaid programs. Two holdouts appear to remain: Georgia has not yet settled, and Florida officials won’t answer questions about its Centene situation.
Por qué los despidos en salud pública ponen en peligro a todos
By Rachana Pradhan
March 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
La decisión de la administración Trump de despedir repentinamente a empleados de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades destruyó los programas de capacitación a lo largo del país
UnitedHealth Wins Ruling Over $2B in Alleged Medicare Advantage Overpayments
By Fred Schulte
March 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A special master found the Justice Department failed to prove wrongdoing by the giant health insurer.
Trump Vowed To End Surprise Medical Bills. The Office Working on That Just Got Slashed.
By Noam N. Levey
Updated March 5, 2025
Originally Published March 4, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Trump administration’s first round of sweeping staff cuts to federal agencies eliminated dozens of positions at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, which is tasked with implementing the No Surprises Act.
