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The Morning Briefing will not be published Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.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.
Trump Claims Most Americans Will Get $2,000 Tariff Dividend Payout
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
There’s no specific plan for the payments, which Congress would likely need to approve. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments about whether Trump overstepped his authority in levying tariffs without congressional support. Plus: Would 50-year mortgages help the housing crisis?
First Edition: Monday, Nov. 10, 2025
November 10, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Health Companies Get Bigger, So Do the Bills. It’s Unclear if Trump’s Team Will Intervene.
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
November 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As health systems, doctor groups, and insurers merge into ever-bigger giants, patient care gets more expensive. Yet the Trump administration has sent mixed signals about its willingness to intervene — and shown some disdain for Biden officials’ more aggressive approach.
Shutdown Has Highlighted Washington’s Retreat From Big Ideas on Health Care
By Stephanie Armour
November 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As voters feel financial pressure from runaway health care costs and crave innovations that would provide relief, the standoff in Congress has been firmly rooted in the status quo — keeping an existing provision of the Affordable Care Act alive.
Journalists Shed Light on Opioid Settlement Cash, New Medicaid Work Requirements
November 8, 2025
KFF Health News Original
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Narcan, Drones, and Concerts: How Governments Spent Opioid Settlement Windfalls
By Aneri Pattani
November 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
November 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on peanut allergies, nutrition, SAD, ELISA testing, and more.
Texas Seeks Restraining Order Against Tylenol For Alleged False Advertising
November 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
In the Thursday filing, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton accused the makers of Tylenol of false advertising because the painkiller is promoted as safe to use during pregnancy.
Judge Rules Social Media Giants Must Face Trial Over Youth Addiction Claim
November 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat’s parent companies will be forced to face trial in the claim that they designed social media platforms to addict youths. Trials are set to start in January, after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl ruled against the companies this week in their last chance to avoid trial.
Applications For $50B Rural Health Fund Are In From All 50 States
November 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
Half of the money will be divided equally among all states with approved applications, while the other $25 billion will be awarded at the discretion of CMS chief Mehmet Oz and will be based on criteria such as whether the states have adopted MAHA policies. Also: AI-powered prior authorization programs; a nurse staffing agency challenges the $100K visa fee; and more.
LGBTQ+ Advocates Decry Ruling That Blocks Gender Changes On Passports
November 7, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Supreme Court let stand a Trump administration policy that bars people from updating their gender markers. One ACLU director quickly denounced the decision, calling it an “attempt to dehumanize, humiliate, and endanger transgender, nonbinary, and intersex Americans.”
