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.
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.
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.
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.
Journalists Talk New ‘MAHA’ Strategy, RFK Jr.’s Tack at HHS, and Plight of Rural Hospitals
September 13, 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.
Collaborative Networks Become Popular Lifeline for Rural Hospitals
By Arielle Zionts
September 12, 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.
New York Surgery Center Is Latest Casualty Of Federal Funding Cuts
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
A spokesperson for Kaleida Health stated that Medicaid reimbursement funding reductions were among the reasons for shutting down its surgery center starting Oct. 1. Also: the impact of CMS’ outpatient plan on ambulatory surgery centers; a liquid cancer biopsy early-detection test; and more.
California Child Dies From Measles Complications Years After Illness
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
The school-aged child had measles as an infant, before they were eligible for vaccination. The complication, called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, shows up years later and is fatal in about 95% of cases. Also in the news: Iowa, Vermont, Missouri, Minnesota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Scientists One Step Closer To Knowing How PFAS Damage The Liver
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers observed the cellular processes of “forever chemicals” — PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, and PFNA — and the effects they had on bodies. Plus, a look at how synthetic vitamin B1, gel manicures, and smartwatches might affect your health.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on prison mental health care, flu, chatbots, vaccines, and koalas.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 12, 2025
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Behind on your reading? Catch up on this week's KFF Health News stories with The Week in Brief, delivered every Friday to your inbox. Sign up here !
Spending Deal Appears Tenuous As Lawmakers Spar Over Health Care
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republicans, thinking they have the votes to pass the government funding measure and avoid a shutdown, brush off demands by Democrats to include ACA subsidy extensions and other health care-related policies. Seven Senate Democrats would have to break with the party for the bill to pass. “They ain’t going to get the votes,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer says.
Parents Fret Over Kids’ Mental Health After Seeing Kirk’s Slaying Online
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Children were easily able to watch the unedited video of the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on their social media feeds, parents say. Plus: Americans of all political persuasions are worried that his killing will suppress the peaceful exchange of ideas. In related news: how mental health measures already in place in Colorado failed to stop this week’s school shooting.
Senators Implement ‘Nuclear Option’ To Push Republican Nominees Through
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republicans advanced the rule change in an effort to bypass Democratic opposition and push through 48 GOP nominees at once. The rule change is expected to be finalized next week, The New York Times reported.
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
September 12, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.