Morning Briefing for Thursday, November 13, 2025
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
No matter which app you’re into, KFF Health News has you covered: Follow along on Instagram , TikTok , Bluesky , X , Facebook , and LinkedIn as we break down health care headlines and policy.
With Shutdown In Rearview Mirror, ACA Subsidies Are A Priority. Or Not.
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
The House voted Wednesday to fund the government through January, and President Donald Trump signed the measure that effectively ends the shutdown. Now, Democrats are maneuvering to force a vote on the expiring tax credits, while House Speaker Mike Johnson says he will not commit to bringing up the issue in his chamber, AP reports. Plus, what does this mean for SNAP benefits?
Trump Administration Aims To Slash Housing Grants By Two-Thirds In 2026
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a major shift in homelessness policy, the bulk of funding would be directed toward programs that prioritize work and drug treatment. Also: new patent policies’ impact on lowering drug prices; pediatricians’ reactions to the FDA’s effort to limit fluoride supplements; and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025
November 13, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
ICE Crackdown Heightens Barriers for Immigrant Domestic Violence Victims
By Cheryl Platzman Weinstock
November 13, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Immigrant victims of domestic violence have long encountered hurdles when seeking help from police and courts. The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has made victims without legal status even more afraid to report abuse, advocacy groups say.
‘They Don’t Return Home’: Cities Across US Fail To Curb Traffic Deaths
By Chaseedaw Giles
November 13, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston reported more traffic fatalities than homicides last year. Despite local, state, and federal safety initiatives, such as Vision Zero, traffic deaths across the U.S. are higher than they were a decade ago.
Ongoing Measles Outbreaks In Canada Cost Americas Their Elimination Status
November 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Individual countries are maintaining their standing, health officials say, but the U.S. might lose its elimination status if it can’t get current outbreaks under control by January. Plus, two U.S. airports report measles exposures.
‘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.
