Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 16, 2025
September 16, 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!
RFK Jr. Adds 5 ACIP Panelists, Including Skeptics Of Vaccines, Covid Protocol
September 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this week will meet and vote on chickenpox, covid-19, and hepatitis B shots. Former CDC officials expect the panel will vote against recommending hep B shots for newborns. Plus, ousted CDC Director Susan Monarez preps for a Senate hearing.
First Edition: Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025
September 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
An HIV Outbreak in Maine Shows the Risk of Trump’s Crackdown on Homelessness and Drug Use
By Aneri Pattani
September 16, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Public health experts and advocates say the outbreak has been fueled by a confluence of local factors, including the sweeping of a homeless encampment and shuttering of a sterile-syringe program. But those issues may not remain local for long. The Trump administration is leading efforts to promote similar tactics nationwide.
RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Panel Expected To Recommend Delaying Hepatitis B Shot for Children
By Jackie Fortiér
Updated September 19, 2025
Originally Published September 16, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A federal vaccine panel, recently reshaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is expected to vote on delaying the hepatitis B shot for newborns. Pediatricians warn that could open the door to a comeback for a disease virtually eradicated among U.S. children.
More People Now Jobless For 6 Months, Possibly Without Health Insurance
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a worrisome sign, more than 1 in 4 workers without jobs have now been unemployed for at least half a year, data show. It’s usually a turning point for them, economists say, because they’ve likely run out of unemployment insurance benefits and severance payments, The Washington Post reported.
Utah Governor Advises People To Take A Social Media Break
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox called social media a “cancer on our society” and urged people to turn away after announcing the arrest of the suspected gunman in the shooting of Charlie Kirk. Also: guiding kids through violent online images; peers help teens in mental health struggles; and more.
Epic Gives Rural Hospitals A Platform For Electronic Health Records
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
More than 40,000 providers and 300 hospitals participate in the company’s Community Connect program. Meanwhile, health care providers’ top brass and board members gird for any changes the GOP Medicare cuts would cause. Plus, Emmy winner Noah Wyle‘s heartfelt message to doctors.
More Coal Mining Is OK’d Where West Virginia Residents Allege Pollution
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, black lung cases continue to rise, as the silica rule faces legal delays. Other news from around the nation comes out of Connecticut, North Carolina, and California.
Morning Briefing for Monday, September 15, 2025
September 15, 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.
Engineering School To Study Debunked Claim That Vaccines Cause Autism
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been awarded a no-bid contract for a project that would use AI and machine learning techniques to look for patterns in blood samples of children with autism, AP reports. Plus, Kenvue makes a case that Tylenol remains safe and does not cause autism.
Health Officials Plan To Link 25 Child Deaths To Covid Vaccine, Sources Say
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
In the run-up to new covid vaccine recommendations, which will affect access to shots, health officials are looking at data from the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), including unverified reports submitted by anyone. Plus: childhood shot recommendations, whooping cough vaccine, complications from the flu, and more.
US Did Not Destroy $10 Million Worth Of Contraceptives, Belgium Says
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
After Thursday’s report by The New York Times about the destruction of the contraceptives, Belgian officials confirmed Friday that the stockpile was, in fact, intact. Meanwhile, more than 70 reproductive rights groups are asking that the usable birth control products be spared.
First Edition: Monday, Sept. 15, 2025
September 15, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Why Are More Older People Dying After Falls?
By Paula Span
September 15, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Some researchers suspect that rising prescription drug use may explain a disturbing trend.
Parents Fear Losing Disability Protections as Trump Slashes Civil Rights Office
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
September 15, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Education Department’s civil rights office often intervenes when students face discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or disability and their families can’t resolve complaints locally. Parents fear the effort to gut the federal agency will leave them with nowhere to seek justice.
An AI Assistant Can Interpret Those Lab Results for You
By Kate Ruder
September 15, 2025
KFF Health News Original
While patients wait to hear back from their doctors about test results, many turn to AI assistants for answers despite cautions over privacy and accuracy.
Programas de inteligencia artificial te ayudan a interpretar tus resultados de laboratorio
By Kate Ruder
September 15, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Muchos pacientes están utilizando programas como ChatGPT de OpenAI, Claude de Anthropic y Gemini de Google, para interpretar sus datos médicos
¿Por qué mueren más personas mayores después de sufrir caídas?
By Paula Span
September 15, 2025
KFF Health News Original
En 2023, el año más reciente con datos disponibles de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC), más de 41.000 personas mayores de 65 años murieron por caídas.
