Humana Plans Outpatient Prior Authorization Requirement Cuts
July 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
In line with its aim to provide decisions within one business day on at least 95% of prior authorizations by next year, Humana will cut a third of its prior authorization requirements. It will also launch a gold card, rewarding prescribers with a strong approval track record by waiving requirements for select items and procedures.
Study: Your Brain Likely Shrank During Pandemic, Even If You Didn’t Get Sick
July 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
A study showed brain shrinkage consistent with up to 5.5 months of accelerated aging. It is not yet clear whether the structural changes will lead to cognitive deficits. Also in the news: a link between alcohol withdrawal syndrome and surgery complications; digital tools to help asthma; and more.
Investigators Say Deadly Massachusetts Assisted-Living Fire Was Accidental
July 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
The fire killed 10 people at Gabriel House in Fall River. Investigators say the fire was caused by either someone smoking or an electrical issue. Other states making news: Florida, Missouri, New York, Texas, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and more.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, July 23, 2025
July 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each month, KFF Health News’ Rural Dispatch newsletter covers health issues in places where accessing care can be more challenging. Check out our Montana, Colorado, and Georgia newsletters, too. Sign up here!
Labor Department Aims To Do Away With Over 60 Workplace Regulations
July 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
These regulations — such as minimum wage requirements, limiting exposure to harmful substances, and lighting at construction sites and mines — will impact workplace safety.
First Edition: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
July 23, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Republicans Call Medicaid Rife With Fraudsters. This Man Sees No Choice but To Break the Rules.
By Katheryn Houghton
Illustration by Oona Zenda
July 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Congressional Republicans successfully pushed to add hurdles to qualify for Medicaid by saying they would eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. This is the story of a Montana man who explains why he said he is breaking the rules to keep his health insurance and his job.
States Pass Privacy Laws To Protect Brain Data Collected by Devices
By Kate Ruder
July 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Colorado, California, and Montana have passed neural data privacy laws meant to prevent the exploitation of brain information collected by consumer products.
Estados aprueban leyes de privacidad para proteger la información que los dispositivos recogen del cerebro
By Kate Ruder
July 23, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Colorado, California y Montana están entre los estados que recientemente han exigido la protección de los datos neurales recopilados por dispositivos fuera del ámbito médico.
Sarepta Suspends Elevidys Shipments After Pressure From FDA, Hospitals
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Sarepta’s pause on its prescription gene therapy drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy gives the company time to work with the FDA on reviews. Infusions nationwide will be canceled. Also in the news, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Humana, UnitedHealth, and more.
New Genetic Test Could Foretell A Child’s Obesity Risk In Adulthood
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Experts hope the research, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, may allow for earlier interventions. Other research-related news is on the first pill for postpartum depression, antibiotic prescribing at urgent care clinics, an experimental mRNA vaccine targeting cancer, and more.
4-Day Workweek Improves Employee Health, Reduces Burnout, Study Finds
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Remote work made necessary by the pandemic exposed employee burnout and disconnection. Researchers found a four-day workweek improved these issues. In other news: Covid cases are climbing across the U.S.; Measles exposure in day cares has ripple effects; and more.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, July 22, 2025
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Medicaid work requirements, forever chemicals, nutrition and SNAP, uninsured, organ donation, genetics of obesity, 4-day work week, and more.
Trump’s Tax Law Will Leave 10 Million Uninsured, New CBO Report Forecasts
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
By 2034, more than 10 million people will be uninsured under President Donald Trump’s tax and spending law, the Congressional Budget Office finds in a revised analysis of the bill. That’s an improvement from an earlier projection that found 11.8 million people would lose coverage in that time period.
HHS To Reform Organ Donation System In Wake Of Procurement Concerns
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
A House subcommittee will hold a hearing today covering safety lapses and improvements to be made to the organ donor system. In other news: the FDA’s debate on antidepressant use during pregnancy; the impact of NIH cuts on science; and more.
Illinois Food Pantries Prep For Influx Of Need As SNAP Benefits Are Cut
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
As the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, readies for the biggest budget cuts in its history, nonprofit food banks strain to fight food insecurity. Other states making news: Mississippi, Texas, Connecticut, North Carolina, California, Colorado, Missouri, and Maine.
First Edition: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
July 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Amid PFAS Fallout, a Maine Doctor Navigates Medical Risks With Her Patients
By Marina Schauffler
July 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A doctor doing environmental health research in rural Maine is working to establish the best practices to treat patients exposed to “forever chemicals,” potentially leading the way for practitioners across the nation.
