‘State Of Crisis’ As Rural Hospital Maternity Unit Closures Rise In 2025
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
A new report points to 27 completed or planned labor and delivery unit closures this year. Other industry news is on Genesis HealthCare, the fight between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and the UMass Memorial Health system, pediatric ER care, and more.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 12, 2025
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Check out our new newsletter, California Weekly Roundup. Each Wednesday, we’ll feature original reporting from our California Bureau , as well as a roundup of the latest health headlines from across the state. Sign up here!
ACA Subsidies: GOP Alternatives Would Link Abortion Or Even Gut The System
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republicans are floating ideas for discussion after the government reopens. One idea from Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would extend the soon-to-expire Obamacare subsidies in exchange for stricter abortion restrictions on insurance plans. Another idea from President Donald Trump would give federal health care funds directly to individuals instead of through insurers. Policy experts say Obamacare would collapse under that plan.
Full SNAP Payments Remain On Hold While Congress Works On Funding Bill
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Supreme Court’s emergency ruling will expire by midnight Thursday, giving the House and President Trump just days to approve and sign a measure that would fund the government.
HRT For Menopause Will No Longer Carry A ‘Black Box’ Warning
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
The FDA issued the announcement Monday. Commissioner Marty Makary said the warnings were based on outdated science. Scroll down to our Editorials and Opinions section to read the story.
Cancer Scientist Richard Pazdur Picked As FDA’s Top Drug Regulator
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Pazdur will head the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, replacing George Tidmarsh. Other pharma news is on telehealth prescriptions for certain controlled substances, health information privacy related to wearable devices and mobile health apps, and more.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Readers Take Congress to Task and Offer Their Own Health Policy Fixes
November 12, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Lo que el aire que respiras le puede estar haciendo a tu cerebro
By Paula Span
November 12, 2025
KFF Health News Original
En 2020, la influyente Comisión Lancet incluyó la contaminación del aire en su lista de factores de riesgo modificables para la demencia.
An Arm and a Leg: A Few Good Things From 2025 (Really)
By Dan Weissmann
November 12, 2025
Podcast
Good news for health care access this year includes new state laws to rein in prior authorization and medical debt collectors.
What the Air You Breathe May Be Doing to Your Brain
By Paula Span
Illustration by Oona Zenda
November 12, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Studies increasingly find links between higher concentrations of certain pollutants and the prevalence of dementia.
Health Care Costs Jump to the Fore as Candidates Jockey To Be California Governor
By Claudia Boyd-Barrett
Updated November 12, 2025
Originally Published November 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
During a California gubernatorial debate, candidates promised to protect people’s access to health care and fight back against Trump administration cuts. With the contest a year away, polling shows voters want the next governor to minimize out-of-pocket health care costs, increase mental health care, and expand caregiving services.
New Cholesterol Breakthroughs Help Reduce LDL Levels, Heart Attack Risk
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Merck’s new pill, enlicitide, and Amgen’s longtime Repatha shot are showing heart attack risk-lowering potential, and researchers have made progress on the gene-editing front.
Maryland Legislature Considers Relaxing Laws On Psychedelic Drugs
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances submitted its report on the benefits of easing restrictions on psilocybin, mescaline, and dimethyltryptamine, three natural psychedelics. Also in the news: Colorado, Ohio, Connecticut, North Carolina, Texas, California, and Louisiana.
55% Greater Risk Of Asthma For Vets Stationed In Iraq, Afghanistan: Study
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers also found higher risks of chronic rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and nasal polyposis. Also, ByHeart baby formula has been recalled due to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism. Plus, research shows 1 in 27 women are informally sharing breast milk.
Morning Briefing for Monday, November 10, 2025
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Morning Briefing will not be published Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Look for it again in your inbox Wednesday.
ACA Subsidies Still In Limbo As Senate Nears Deal To End Longest Shutdown
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Eight senators voted with the Democratic caucus to advance a compromise measure to fund the government through the end of January. SNAP benefits would resume, but the extension of health care tax credits is not included. Plus, President Trump renews call to repeal Obamacare.
Hunger Pains And Confusion Grow As Courts, States, Trump Battle Over SNAP
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Sunday night, an appeals court denied President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt the release of full funding for November’s payments. Trump also threatened Friday to penalize states that paid full benefits and ordered them to claw back the money. It’s unclear if that demand still stands.
