Victims’ Families, Survivors Of Maine Mass Shooting Sue US Government
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
The plaintiffs argue that the U.S. Army could and should have done more to stop the 2023 shooting that killed 18 people in Lewiston, AP reported, because it reportedly knew that the gunman had mental health issues. Also: President Donald Trump raises the possibility of arming teachers who have served as “distinguished” military service members.
First Covid Pill That Prevents Infection After Exposure Awaits FDA Approval
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
In a phase 3 trial, ensitrelvir — known as Xocova — showed a 67% reduction in risk of covid infection in patients treated after exposure. The drug has already been approved for use in Japan. Also, a new clinical trial shows covid may be prevented by using a common nasal antihistamine spray.
OpenAI Will Offer Parental Controls After California Teen’s Suicide
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
The change will be introduced to ChatGPT within the next month, the company said Tuesday. Plus: The suicide rate among older Coloradans has not budged in a decade, The Colorado Sun reported.
Advanced-Stage Prostate Cancer Rates See Sharp Rise In Past Decade
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
The report also shows that declines in mortality rates have slowed, from 3%-4% per year to 0.6% per year in the past decade. Plus: A study looks at cancer-fighting properties of a plant-based nutrient. More news is on Alzheimer’s; the link between brain tumors and the birth control shot; and more.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 3, 2025
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
We’d like to speak with personnel from the Department of Health and Human Services or its component agencies about what’s happening within the federal health bureaucracy. Please message us on Signal at (415) 519-8778 or get in touch here.
Providers, Patients Will Have Instant Access To Drug Costs Come Oct. 1
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
A final CMS rule requires providers to make digital requests during appointments with patients. Separately, Gilead Sciences aims to raise prices for its HIV medicines that are distributed by state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs.
RFK Jr. Touts CDC’s Measles Response As Justification For Agency Shake-Up
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
In an op-ed, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. writes of the need to restore trust in the agency. But the director of the Dallas County Health Department disputes whether CDC policies helped end the outbreak, noting: “The accessibility and availability of CDC now is nothing like it has been in the past, or should be, and to claim that now this is the model for CDC is really — it’s just not true.”
HHS Will Restore Webpages With DEI; More CDC Budget Cuts On The Table
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
Under a court settlement, health data on those pages will be reset to reflect how they appeared as of Jan. 29, 2025. Axios has reported that a statement posted on those pages says, “Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from truth. This page does not reflect reality and therefore the Administration and this Department reject it.”
First Edition: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025
September 3, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Changes at NIH Give Political Appointees Greater Power To Fund or Block Research
By Arthur Allen
September 3, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The National Institutes of Health’s long-held standard of peer review for grantmaking has been subverted by President Donald Trump and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, who gave unprecedented power to politicos, NIH workers say.
Do Pediatricians Recommend Vaccines To Make a Profit? There’s Not Much Money in It
By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact
September 3, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Four pediatricians said evidence-based science and medicine and a desire to keep kids healthy drive doctors’ childhood vaccination recommendations. And while pediatric practices might make money immunizing privately insured children, most practices likely break even or lose money from providing the shots.
At CDC, Worries Mount That Agency Has Taken Anti-Science Turn
By Stephanie Armour
September 3, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to fire Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez is more than an administrative shake-up. It marks a major offensive by Kennedy to seize control of the agency and impose an anti-science agenda, public health leaders say.
Top Vaccine Panel To Meet This Month To Debate Covid Shots, Others
September 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
But Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has asked that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices postpone its meeting until “serious allegations … about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process” can be investigated. Plus, more about the limitations on the covid vaccine.
2 Die In Louisiana After Eating Oysters Tainted With Flesh-Eating Bacteria
September 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
State health officials report 22 people have been hospitalized with Vibrio vulnificus infections. Plus: A Salmonella outbreak tied to eggs has sickened people in 18 states; it is now optional for the CDC to report illnesses caused by Campylobacter, Cyclospora, Listeria, Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia; and more.
Congress Divided Over Strategy To Avoid Federal Government Shutdown
September 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
Republicans will need Democrats’ support to clear the filibuster threshold in the Senate. Meanwhile, Democrats are still angry at the White House’s move to cut nearly $5 billion in foreign aid without congressional approval. More news is on veterans’ health care.
Studies: Beta-Blockers Are Ineffective — And Also Dangerous For Some
September 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
The drugs have been shown to have no benefit for the majority of patients. Also, researchers found an increased risk of death in some women, according to lead author Dr. Borja Ibáñez, scientific director for Madrid’s National Center for Cardiovascular Investigation.
White House Tells 40 States To Nix LGBTQ+ Topics From Sex Ed
September 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
States were told they have 60 days to change the lessons or they risk losing federal funding, AP reported. Other health news is from Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Delaware, Florida, and Nevada.
Medicare To Test Prior Authorizations In 6 States As Part Of A Pilot Program
September 2, 2025
Morning Briefing
The program will use AI to review cases, which some experts say could lead to inappropriate denials of care. Also in the news: more on prior authorization, Medicare Advantage, the impact of Medicaid cuts on maternity care, aging alone, and more.
