After Shutdown, Federal Employees Face New Uncertainty: Affording Health Insurance
By Phil Galewitz
November 26, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Average premium payments in the federal government’s insurance program for its employees are set to jump more than 12% next year, on top of a 13.5% hike in 2025. The two-year increase is higher than many private employers and their workers are experiencing.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Trump Almost Unveils a Health Plan
November 25, 2025
Podcast
Just weeks before some tax credits for Affordable Care Act premiums expire, the Trump administration floated a plan to extend the enhanced aid — but it was met with immediate GOP pushback. Meanwhile, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says he ordered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to revise its website to suggest childhood vaccines might be linked to autism. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Joanne Kenen and Joshua Sharfstein about their new book, “Information Sick: How Journalism’s Decline and Misinformation’s Rise Are Harming Our Health — And What We Can Do About It.”
Consejos contradictorios sobre las vacunas contra covid podrían afectar las tasas de vacunación, que ya son bajas
By Phillip Reese
November 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Investigadores de salud pública temen que las tasas de vacunación caigan aún más, especialmente entre latinos, afroamericanos y personas menores de 30 años
For 2nd Year In A Row, Pertussis Cases Are Higher Than Pre-Pandemic Levels
November 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Also in the news: the spread of measles, covid, flu, RSV, CWD, and more.
CMS’ Plan To Recoup Billions In Outpatient Payments Delayed Until ’27
November 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
The clawback originally was set to go into effect in 2026. However, Stat says, Medicare will move forward with surveys that will pinpoint how much drugs cost for hospitals — surveys that hospitals have managed to push off for 20 years.
Promising Injectable Alzheimer’s Drug From J&J Fails In Mid-Stage Trial
November 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Separately, Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide did not slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease more than a placebo, even though some disease-related biomarkers did show some improvement. Also: GLP-1s are being marketed to the non-obese; pregnancy risks from GLP-1s; and more.
Even With SNAP Restored, Food Banks Continue To See High Demand
November 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Food banks and pantries across the country predict the increase in demand will continue through December. Other states making news: Missouri, North Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, and Maryland.
Trump’s Supposed ACA Subsidy Plan Sidelined Before It Was Even Unveiled
November 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republicans were blindsided over news media reports that the plan would extend Obamacare subsidies, Axios reported. Meanwhile, more Americans say they will go without health insurance if subsidies aren’t renewed.
All HHS Workers Laid Off During Shutdown Have Been Brought Back
November 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Thomas Nagy Jr., deputy assistant secretary for human resources at the Department of Health and Human Services, wrote in a federal court filing Friday that all 954 employees who received layoff notices were emailed Nov. 17 and told to return to work, The Hill reported.
First Edition: Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025
November 25, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
More People Are Caring for Dying Loved Ones at Home. A New Orleans Nonprofit Is Showing Them How.
By Halle Parker, Verite News
Updated November 25, 2025
Originally Published November 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Demand for home health care, including at-home hospice care, has skyrocketed since the onset of the covid pandemic. A New Orleans nonprofit is teaching people how to provide end-of-life care for relatives and community members.
Not Serious Enough To Turn on the Siren, Toddler’s 39-Mile Ambulance Ride Still Cost Over $9,000
By Tony Leys
November 25, 2025
KFF Health News Original
After her son contracted a serious bacterial infection, an Ohio mother took the toddler to a nearby ER, and staffers there sent him to a children’s hospital in an ambulance. With no insurance, the family was hit with a $9,250 bill for the 40-minute ride.
Share Your Autism Services Story With Us
By Lydia Zuraw
November 24, 2025
Page
Have you experienced cuts to autism services in your state? Tell us here.
Caída de las tasas de vacunación y de la inmunidad alimentan brotes de tos convulsa
By Céline Gounder
November 24, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Texas registró 1.928 casos de tos convulsa en 2024. Para octubre de 2025, el estado ya superaba los 3.500. A nivel nacional, las cifras son igual de alarmantes.
Eli Lilly Becomes First Health Care Company To Hit $1 Trillion In Value
November 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The company’s blockbuster GLP-1 weight loss drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro are slated to be the top-selling drugs in the world this year. Meanwhile, Bayer began to see positive results from its experimental stroke-prevention drug, asundexian, in a late-stage study.
Wash. Patient With Strain Of Bird Flu Never Before Seen In Humans Has Died
November 24, 2025
Morning Briefing
The resident of Washington state was an older adult with underlying conditions, The Washington Post reported, and was infected with the H5N5 strain. State health officials said the risk to the public is low. Other health news is on lung cancer screening, female crash-test dummy standards, and more.
Morning Briefing for Monday, November 24, 2025
November 24, 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, Georgia, and California newsletters, too. Sign up here!
