New Rating Rules May Give Medicare Advantage Insurers A $13B Boost
December 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
One proposed change to the star rating system is bringing back the “reward factor.” This provision, previously used until 2023, would increase payments to insurers that perform well. As a result, Medicare is scrapping the “health equity index” that was set to go into effect in 2027.
Smartphones Before 12 May Lead To Higher Rates Of Depression, Obesity
December 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
The study, published Monday, found that the younger kids were when they got their first smartphones, the greater their risk of obesity, depression, and poor sleep. Also: Some mental health apps are looking to integrate generative AI chatbots.
Experts Want FDA To Back Up Claim That Covid Vaccine Caused Kids’ Deaths
December 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Vaccine regulator Vinay Prasad, whose memo calls for stricter vaccine regulation, needs to make public the evidence that directly ties the shots to fatal outcomes, scientists say. In other vaccine news, scientists are studying more modern techniques for making shots.
NYC Officials Knew About Toxins In Air On 9/11 But Hid Testing Results: Union
December 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Dozens of boxes of records undisclosed until now have allegedly shown that New York City officials “had real testing done. And when that testing was done, it was suppressed. And everyone was told the air was safe; people would have made different choices,” a union official said. Also: An FDNY deputy chief whose firefighter son died on 9/11 has also now died of World Trade Center-related illnesses.
FDA Reverses Proposed Rule To Test Cosmetics Containing Talc For Asbestos
December 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
The FDA said it will submit a new proposal to regulate an even broader range of talc-containing products in an effort to reduce exposure to the carcinogen. Other news is on “less lethal” crowd-control tactics, heating assistance, and more.
First Edition: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025
December 1, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Medicaid Work Rules Exempt the ‘Medically Frail.’ Deciding Who Qualifies Is Tricky.
By Samantha Liss Sam Whitehead
December 1, 2025
KFF Health News Original
People on Medicaid deemed “medically frail” won’t need to meet new federal requirements that enrollees work 80 hours a month or perform another approved activity. But state officials are grappling with how to interpret who qualifies under the vague federal definition, which could affect millions.
Watch: Trump Considers Extending Obamacare Subsidies
By Amanda Seitz
December 1, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Amanda Seitz, KFF Health News’ Washington health policy reporter, appeared on NewsNation’s “NewsNation Live With Connell McShane” on Nov. 24 to discuss President Donald Trump’s latest health proposal.
New Work Requirement Adds Red Tape to Missouri’s Snarled Food Aid System
By Samantha Liss
December 1, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Under Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, states must shoulder more of the administrative and cost burdens of the food aid program SNAP, which helps feed 42 million Americans.
Trump Says He’d Extend ACA Subsidies Only To Make Time To Hash Out A Plan
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
“Some kind of an extension may be necessary to get something else done,” President Donald Trump said Tuesday. But he added: “Somebody said I wanna extend them for two years. I don’t want to extend them for two years. I’d rather not extend them at all.”
CMS Floats Overhaul Of Medicare Advantage Star Ratings System
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
CMS may nix a dozen Medicare Advantage and Part D measures that focus on operational performance or completion of administrative processes. Other health industry news is on Humana’s plan to appeal a court loss over the Medicare Advantage star ratings, Asheville’s Mission Hospital is removed from immediate jeopardy by CMS, and more.
Kentucky Reports Third Infant Death From Pertussis Amid Nationwide Surge
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Of the three infant fatalities, none of the babies or their mothers had been vaccinated against the highly contagious whooping cough. Kentucky has reported 566 confirmed cases of pertussis this year, which is the largest outbreak since 2012. Also: norovirus, measles, RSV, flu, and covid.
Lawmaker Will Introduce Federal Bill To Safely Discharge Patients In Labor
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
The bill from Rep. Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Illinois, would require clinical justification for discharging patients presenting with signs or symptoms of labor, an assessment of travel distance, a confirmed back-up hospital or birthing facility, verification that patients have reliable transportation, and documentation of patient understanding, Becker’s Hospital Review reported.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, November 26, 2025
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Morning Briefing will not be published Thursday or Friday. Look for it again in your inbox on Monday, Dec. 1. Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
Medicare To Lower Prices On 15 More Prescription Drugs, Including Ozempic
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Some prescription cancer drugs are also included in the negotiations. The announcement followed the second round of talks with pharmaceutical manufacturers under a new system implemented by the Biden administration as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, The Washington Post reported.
Doctor Who Called Covid Vaccines ‘Dangerous’ Is CDC’s New Deputy Chief
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s internal database lists Dr. Ralph Abraham, 71, as its principal deputy director, with a start date of Nov. 23, The New York Times reported. Abraham is also the former surgeon general of Louisiana and halted the state health department’s mass vaccination campaigns.
First Edition: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025
November 26, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: The First Edition will not be published Thursday or Friday. Look for it again in your inbox on Monday, Dec. 1. Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving!
