Glimmer Of Hope For Medicaid: MAGA Supporters Oppose Cuts, Poll Shows
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
A top Trump campaign polling firm found strong support for Medicaid in battleground congressional districts, with 78% of Trump supporters wanting the program to continue.
Texas Measles Outbreak Hits 624 Cases, Amid Rise In Misinformation
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, whooping cough cases are surging across the U.S., with CDC data showing 8,077 cases in 2025, compared with 3,847 cases in the same period last year.
Study: Almost Half Of US Exposed To Unhealthy Levels Of Air Pollution
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, the EPA has informed over 450 employees that they will be either fired or reassigned. In other news, North Carolina residents recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Helene are left in the lurch after CDC cuts.
US Birth Rate Nudges Up 1% In 2024, Continuing A Worrisome Trend
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Demographers and cultural critics fear a sustaining slump could hurt the U.S. economy. In an effort to prop up the population, some have proposed bonuses for women who give birth, an idea President Donald Trump says “sounds like a good idea.” Separately, the family planning funding freeze is hurting clinics across the country.
Rural Texas Hospital Closing Its Doors After Only 14 Months
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Citing financial concerns, Mid Coast Medical Center announced April 18 that Trinity County’s only hospital will wind down operations on Friday, The Texas Tribune reports. Mid Coast’s closure serves as another example of the ongoing struggle of rural hospitals in Texas and nationwide.
FSU Students Urge Lawmakers Against Lowering Gun-Buying Age
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
After last week’s shooting at Florida State University, students also want to ensure classrooms have locks on the doors, funding for mental health resources, and active-shooter training, AP reports. Other states making news are Texas, Nebraska, Minnesota, and North Carolina.
‘MAHA’ Update: FDA Dumps 8 Food Dyes; CDC Rethinks Kids’ Covid Vax
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The additives that will be phased out — but not outright banned — are Blue 1 and 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5 and 6, Orange B, and Citrus Red 2. In other “Make America Healthy Again” news: The CDC might pull the covid vaccine off its list of recommended vaccines for kids, and the NIH says it won’t have answers about the cause of autism until next year.
Feds Slash Women’s Health Initiative, Claw Back NSF Research Grants
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The WHI has studied the varying health changes women go through since 1991. The National Science Foundation grant cancellations — more than 400 of them, The New York Times reports — targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion studies, as well as research about misinformation.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, April 23, 2025
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers health issues in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Check out our Montana, Colorado, and Georgia newsletters, too. Sign up here!
First Edition: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
April 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Aumenta la desinformación sobre el sarampión, y las personas le prestan atención, dice una encuesta
By Arthur Allen
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Mientras se expande la epidemia de sarampión más grave en una década, las creencias falsas sobre la seguridad de la vacuna contra esta infección se diseminan, avaladas por el funcionario de salud de mayor rango del país.
Measles Misinformation Is on the Rise — And Americans Are Hearing It, Survey Finds
By Arthur Allen
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Attitudes about a debunked link between measles vaccines and autism haven’t budged that much. But there’s a sharp partisan divide over whether the vaccine is safe.
Medi-Cal Under Threat: Who’s Covered and What Could Be Cut?
By Don Thompson
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Federal law requires states to offer health insurance to many people with low incomes or disabilities. But some states, including California, are far more generous than what’s required. Budget pressures may force lawmakers to cut benefits that have led to a historic low in the uninsured rate.
Hospitals’ Lobbying Frustrates Montana Lawmakers Who Sought To Boost Oversight
By Mike Dennison
April 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Montana’s powerful hospital lobby was instrumental in renewing the state’s Medicaid expansion program and has also fended off most legislation to increase state oversight of their business.
Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
April 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
“Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KFF Health News newsroom to the airwaves each week.
Study Shows Steady Decline In Cancer Death Rates Over Two Decades
April 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
The findings published Monday analyzed data from 2001 through 2022. However, incidence rates among women have been rising. Separately, a survey shows women are reluctant to have cancer screening mammograms read only by AI.
Antiviral Compound May Hold Promise For Preventing, Treating Long Covid
April 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers have discovered that it prevents long covid symptoms in mice. Other public health news is on a rise in psilocybin use; blood pressure and dementia; and more.
Wyoming Judge Clears The Way For Abortion Clinic To Resume Services
April 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Wyoming Health Access in Casper stopped providing abortion services on Feb. 28, after Republican Gov. Mark Gordon put licensing and ultrasound requirement laws into effect. Abortions again will be provided while the cases wind through the courts.
Cash-Strapped Crozer Health Hospitals Begin 30-Day Wind-Down Of Services
April 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Prospect Medical Holdings notified employees that it is financially unable to keep the Pennsylvania facilities open. A judge needs to approve the closure. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for today. More industry news is about Providence, Mass General Brigham, Compassus, and more.
