States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit
By Bram Sable-Smith Sarah Jane Tribble
September 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
North Carolina and Idaho are cutting their Medicaid programs to bridge budget gaps, raising fears that providers will stop taking patients and that hospitals will close even before the brunt of a new federal tax-and-budget law takes effect.
Journalists Follow the Fallout of CDC Director’s Firing and Trump’s Health Policies
September 21, 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.
Mercury in Your Hot Dog? Vaccine Skeptics Face Their Limits at Crucial CDC Meeting
By Arthur Allen Renuka Rayasam
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meeting on vaccines pitted scientific expertise against vaccine skepticism. An often confusing debate ended with critics of the current vaccine schedule tabling a vote to remove one of its cornerstones.
Disability Bias Complaints Peak as the Office That Investigates Them Is Gutted
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
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Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today’s selections are on obesity, weight loss, terminal cancer, natural childbirth, and more.
Where Do Docs Get Paid The Most? Rochester, Minn., Home Of Mayo Clinic
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Physicians in the Rochester metro area make $495,532 a year on average. This was the first year Doximity included Rochester in its annual rankings, MPR News reported, after expanding its analysis from the top 50 most populous metro areas to the top 60.
Despite New Texas Law, Abortion Pill Providers Refuse To Obey In Advance
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Wednesday, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a bill that allows residents to sue someone they suspect of manufacturing, distributing, or mailing abortion medication into the state. In response, out-of-state providers have vowed to continue providing care.
Morning Briefing for Friday, September 19, 2025
September 19, 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 !
Vaccine Panel Proposes Splitting MMR, Varicella Shots For Kids Under 4
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The recommendation stems from data that indicate young children have a small risk for febrile seizures. Public health experts question the motive behind the change, with one noting: “This feels like using a known, disclosed, managed risk to undermine confidence in the entire schedule.” Next up for ACIP review: hepatitis B, and vaccines given during pregnancy.
US Shifts Strategy On Global Health Aid
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
After dismantling the United States Agency for International Development, the State Department will turn to multi-year bilateral agreements that require recipient nations to pony up funds for health initiatives while meeting “performance benchmarks.” Plus, the HHS overhaul remains blocked.
Fight Over ACA Subsidies Will Decide Fate Of Stopgap Funding Bill In House
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
The House will vote today. The Republican measure would fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats say Congress won’t have the votes to get the bill passed unless it addresses health care policies. High on Democrats’ priority list is an extension of ACA subsidies, which would cost the government roughly $350 billion, the CBO estimates.
Chemical Breakthrough Could Lower Some Drug Production Costs, Prices
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers are exploring a cost-reducing pathway to produce one of the crucial building blocks in cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics. Plus, news on specialty pharmacies; autoimmune drug production; obesity drug marketing; and more.
First Edition: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025
September 19, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Listen: The Surprising Power of Pushback When Health Insurance Won’t Pay
By Jackie Fortiér
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Denied coverage for preventive care? You’re not powerless. In this new episode of NPR’s “Life Kit” podcast, KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér explores why denials happen and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Exactech Will Pay $8M To Settle Lawsuits Over Defective Knee Implant Parts
By Fred Schulte
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Whistleblower lawsuits alleged that Exactech covered up defects in knee implants while patient injuries mounted.
Kennedy’s Take on Vaccine Science Fractures Cohesive National Public Health Strategies
By Stephanie Armour Christine Mai-Duc Amy Maxmen Arthur Allen
September 19, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A lack of faith in the soundness of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new direction has led states to explore enacting their own vaccine policies. A patchwork of divergent recommendations and requirements could result.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Ousted CDC Officials Clap Back at RFK Jr.
September 18, 2025
Podcast
Fired less than a month after being confirmed as head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Susan Monarez appeared at a dramatic Senate hearing this week alongside another ousted CDC official and directly contradicted Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s earlier testimony about why she was fired. Monarez told the Health, […]
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
September 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
