Name-Brand Pharmaceuticals From EU Will Carry 15% Tariff, Per Trade Deal
August 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
The agreement struck between the Trump administration and the European Union, which goes into effect Sept. 1, holds tariffs for generic pharmaceuticals at roughly 2.5%.
In Blow To Medical Research, Supreme Court Says Trump Can Halt NIH Grants
August 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
The 5-4 ruling lifts a lower court ruling that forced the National Institutes of Health to restore funding for more than 1,700 health research grants. In a searing rebuttal, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson accused her colleagues of making it so that “this administration always wins,” Politico wrote.
Public Health Leaders From 8 States Meet To Discuss Regional Collaboration
August 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Every New England state except New Hampshire was represented, as well as New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The Boston Globe reported that the meeting was unusual and marked a step toward independence from federal health agencies. Plus: New details about the CDC shooting.
First Edition: Friday, Aug. 22, 2025
August 22, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Native Americans Want To Avoid Past Medicaid Enrollment Snafus as Work Requirements Loom
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
August 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
As states prepare to implement changes to Medicaid required by President Donald Trump’s recent tax-and-spending law, tribal leaders say they are concerned Native American enrollees could lose their coverage, despite exemptions made by Congress.
The Price Increases That Should Cause Americans More Alarm
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
August 22, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The cost of health insurance is rising faster than the price of eggs or gasoline.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Happy 60th, Medicare and Medicaid!
August 21, 2025
Podcast
This summer marks the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, the twin government programs that have shaped the health care system into what it is today. In this special episode, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews two experts on the history, significance, and future of these programs: Medicare historian and University of North Carolina professor Jonathan Oberlander and George Washington University professor emerita Sara Rosenbaum, who has studied Medicaid since nearly its beginning and has helped shape Medicaid policy over the past four decades.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
Construction Companies Sued In Deadly NY Legionnaires’ Outbreak
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
The lawsuits, filed Wednesday, claim the companies neglected safety measures, causing a “completely preventable” outbreak that has killed at least five and sickened many more. Other states making news: Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Kentucky, and California.
63% Of US Drug Plants Are In Counties With Prior Climate-Related Disasters
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Researchers point to supply chain risks, given that so many American drug manufacturing plants fall in the path of hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Also in pharma and tech news: radiopharmaceuticals, airborne germ sensors, UTI treatments, and more.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, August 21, 2025
August 21, 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.
UnitedHealth Adds ‘Public Responsibility Committee’ To Its Board
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
The goal, Bloomberg reports, is to bolster governance and oversight as UnitedHealth aims to improve its standing with shareholders, regulators, and the public. Other health industry news is on Elevance Health, Aetna, Epic, hospital inpatient costs, and more.
Hundreds Laid Off At CDC; 750 HHS Workers Vent Anger In Letter To RFK Jr.
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Between 500 and 600 employees were terminated as of Monday, The Washington Post reported today. A federal health official confirmed the layoffs but not the number. Meanwhile, HHS employees have accused HHS Chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of “dangerous and deceitful statements and actions.”
Feds Subpoena Hospitals For Wide Range Of Sensitive Trans Care Info
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Justice Department demanded access to sensitive information related to medical care for transgender patients under age 19, including billing documents, communications with drug manufacturers, and personal data such as birth dates, Social Security numbers and addresses.
Some Breast Cancer Tumors Steal From Fat Cells To Power Growth, Study Finds
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco found that the energy heist is a critical step in fueling a triple-negative breast cancer’s development. They hope their discovery leads to a cure for the often-deadly cancer and others. Other studies look at colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
To Prevent Illness In Infants, Parents Urged To Mix Formula More Carefully
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Parents should boil water, add formula, and then wait. Researchers found that not following these steps — which isn’t spelled out in packaging instructions — could lead to serious illness in infants. More public health news is on Omega-3 in adults and children, a covid surge, and more.
First Edition: Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025
August 21, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Try This When Your Doctor Says ‘Yes’ to a Preventive Test but Insurance Says ‘No’
By Jackie Fortiér
Illustrations by Oona Zenda
August 21, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A joint project of NPR and KFF Health News, Health Care Helpline helps you navigate the health system hurdles between you and good care. Send us your tricky questions, and we may tap a policy sleuth to puzzle them out. Here is what to do if your preventive care gets denied.
How Older People Are Reaping Brain Benefits From New Tech
By Paula Span
August 21, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Overuse of digital gadgets harms teenagers, research suggests. But ubiquitous technology may be helping older Americans stay sharp.
