Cops on Ketamine? Largely Unregulated Mental Health Treatment Faces Hurdles
By Katja Ridderbusch
October 10, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Ketamine, long used as an anesthetic or illegal party drug, is being combined with psychotherapy to treat severe depression and post-traumatic stress — a potential tool for those with high trauma rates, like firefighters and police officers. Yet the drug’s stigma and unregulated marketplace leave first responders in uncharted territory.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Starting To Feel the Shutdown’s Bite
October 9, 2025
Podcast
The government shutdown continues with no end in sight, and while it theoretically should not affect entitlement programs, the lapse of some related authorizations — like for Medicare telehealth programs — is leaving some doctors and patients high and dry. Meanwhile, the FDA quietly approved a new generic abortion pill. Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also, Rovner interviews Sarah Grusin of the National Health Law Program.
A pesar de las protecciones al consumidor, embargan parte del sueldo a trabajadores para saldar deudas médicas
By Rae Ellen Bichell
October 9, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Detrás del cobro de esas deudas hay todo tipo de proveedores médicos: grandes cadenas de salud, hospitales rurales pequeños, grupos de médicos, servicios públicos de ambulancia, entre otros.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Fast-Growing HIV Epidemic Linked To Trend Of Injecting Drug-Laced Blood
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
The practice of “bluetoothing” or “flashblooding” has alarmed global public health experts who note that injecting a drug user’s blood for a quick high is risky on many levels. Plus, surgeons perform groundbreaking liver transplants, one in China and another in Atlanta.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Enter if you dare! 👻 Thanks to everyone who has already submitted a haiku for our annual Halloween contest — we’re “goblin” up your entries! Still working on your fa-boo-lous haiku? Send it to us by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 19. Click here for the rules and how to enter.
CDC Reverses RFK Jr.’s Restrictions On Covid Vaccine For Pregnant Women
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
The independent panel of vaccine advisers have softened the previous recommendation, allowing pharmacies to administer the shot to pregnant women and ensuring most insurers cover it. Also, the CDC has postponed this month’s meeting of the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices.
In Possibly Capping ACA Subsidies, Lawmakers Find Some Wiggle Room
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Some Democrats indicate they are willing to limit Obamacare tax credits, but Republicans remain unwilling to negotiate until the government reopens. Also: tense moments on the Hill between New York lawmakers.
Amazon To Launch ‘Pharmacy Kiosks’ For One Medical Patients In December
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
In other news on prescription drugs, the White House says it won’t put tariffs on generic drugs, and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz tries to reassure MAHA supporters in the wake of the Trump administration’s Pfizer deal.
Sen. Cassidy Accuses Doc Association Of ‘Abusing’ CPT Coding System
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Complaints from HELP Committee chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) center around the “exorbitant” fees that the American Medical Association charges to anyone using the CPT code set. Other health industry news is on Aetna and Cigna’s downcoding policies; unnecessary back surgeries; private equity’s investment in outpatient surgery; and more.
California Is First State To Ban Ultra-Processed Food From School Menus
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law AB1264, which calls for eliminating soda, energy drinks, low-nutrient foods, and items high in salt and sugar from school meals. The multistep plan will be complete by 2035.
First Edition: Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025
October 9, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
University of California Researchers, Patients Wary of Trump Cuts Even as Some Dollars Flow Again
By Christine Mai-Duc
October 9, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Biomedical researchers and patients are caught in the middle as the Trump administration continues its campaign to strip grants from universities accused of bias. Courts have restored some frozen funds to California universities, but academics studying brain tumors, lung cancer, and strokes worry their grant dollars remain a bargaining chip.
Listen: Why ‘TrumpRx’ Might Not Save You Money
By Julie Rovner
October 9, 2025
KFF Health News Original
On the “Today, Explained” podcast, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner recaps the TrumpRx announcement and why the direct-to-consumer initiative may not save you money on prescription drugs if you have insurance through your employer or the government.
Jury Finds J&J Liable In Baby Powder Cancer Case, Awards $966M
October 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the verdict. Other pharma and tech news is on Peter Marks joining Eli Lilly; the first “accurate blood test” to detect chronic fatigue syndrome; the effectiveness of tramadol; and more.
Kaiser Permanente Faces Company’s Largest Health Care Union Strike
October 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals, which issued the strike notice on Friday, represents 31,000 workers. Key issues cited are stagnant wages, unsafe staffing levels, and limited retirement benefits. Meanwhile, according to researchers, California’s nurse shortage is expected to grow from 3.7% in 2024 to 16.7% by 2033.
High Court Justices Appear Skeptical Of Colorado’s Ban On Conversion Therapy
October 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
The law says mental health practitioners cannot claim or attempt to change a person’s sexuality or gender identity. On Tuesday, multiple conservative Supreme Court justices questioned the medical consensus around decades of research that showed conversion therapy is linked to depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts, Stat reported.
A Hard-To-Detect Breast Cancer Type Is Rising At Triple The Rate Of Others
October 8, 2025
Morning Briefing
Invasive lobular carcinoma is increasing about 3% each year, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. Other cancer-related news is on GLP-1 drugs, intraoperative radiation therapy, immune therapy, and more. Also: the benefit of “exercise snacks”; the Nobel Prize in chemistry; and more.
