Some Incarcerated Youths Will Get Health Care After Release Under New Law
By Renuka Rayasam
Illustration by Oona Zenda
February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
It’s common for young people leaving jails and prisons to end up back behind bars, often after lapses related to untreated mental health issues or substance abuse. A new law is aimed at getting them on Medicaid before they’re released. But the government coordination required to make it happen is significant.
Crece brote de sarampión en uno de los condados menos vacunados de Texas
By Amy Maxmen
February 7, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Profesionales de salud pública advierten que estos brotes se volverán más comunes: decenas de leyes en todo Estados Unidos, pendientes y aprobadas, podrían seguir reduciendo las tasas de vacunación.
Share Your HHS Story With Us
February 6, 2025
Page
Do you have an experience related to reductions in the Department of Health and Human Services workforce that you’d like to share with KFF Health News? Tell us here.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Chaos Continues in Federal Health System
February 6, 2025
Podcast
The Senate has yet to confirm a Health and Human Services secretary, but things around the department continue to change at a breakneck pace to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Payment systems have been shut down, webpages and entire datasets have been taken offline, and workers — including those with civil service protections — have been urged to quit or threatened with layoffs. Meanwhile, foreign and trade policy changes are also affecting health policy. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Julie Appleby, who reported the latest “Bill of the Month” feature, about a young woman, a grandfathered health plan, and a $14,000 IUD.
Transgender Athletes Banned From Female Sports Teams
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Per a presidential executive order, players may compete on women’s and girls’ teams only if they were assigned female at birth. Schools that don’t comply with the rule could lose federal funding, The New York Times reports. Meanwhile, some state attorneys general push back on the new orders.
Express Scripts, Kroger Are Back In Business After Split Two Years Ago
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
The agreement, announced Wednesday between Kroger and Cigna subsidiary Express Scripts, applies immediately to Medicare prescription drug plans and TRICARE military health plans. Other industry news covers bankruptcies, acquisitions, nurses’ mental health stigma, and more.
Maternal Mortality Rate Worse For Black Mothers, Not Getting Better: CDC
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
According to CDC data, Black mothers’ pregnancy-related death rate is more than three times that of any other racial or ethnic group. Also, disparities between expert recommendations and guidelines for migraine prevention; overdiagnosis of thyroid cancer; and more.
New York Court Says Abused Parents Shouldn’t Face Child Welfare Inquiries
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Parents who are victims of domestic violence are regularly investigated by child welfare agencies in a practice that has been deemed illegal by the state appellate court, The New York Times reported. Florida, North Carolina, California, Montana, Georgia, and Colorado are also in the news.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
New Strain Of Bird Flu, More Dicey For Humans, Infects Nevada Dairy Cows
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
The D1.1 version of the virus was detected during milk testing late last year and was the strain that led to the death of a Louisiana man and severely sickened a Canadian teen. The CDC has not held bird flu briefings since Donald Trump became president, and now Virginia lawmakers are urging the release of essential public health data.
DOGE Team Gains Access To Systems at CMS, CDC, Other Health Agencies
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Elon Musk and his team — said to be scouring systems for evidence of fraud, waste, and DEI contracts — have now accessed payment and contracting systems across the Department of Health and Human Services. More news is about the fallout from some of the White House’s executive orders.
Americans Warned Of Ebola Spread In Uganda As USAID Missions Shut Down
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
U.S. health officials say the outbreak will worsen as a result of President Donald Trump’s funding freeze. Americans traveling to Uganda are urged to take precautions.
Morning Briefing for Thursday, February 6, 2025
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Our annual Health Policy Valentines contest is underway! Make us swoon by sending us your sweetest health-themed poems via this form by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 9. ♥
First Edition: Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025
February 6, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Biden Rule Cleared Hurdles to Lifesaving HIV Drug, but in Georgia Barriers Remain
By Rebecca Grapevine, Healthbeat
February 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
A new rule requires insurers to improve coverage of PrEP, which can prevent HIV, but Georgians face challenges getting the drug.
Officials Seek To Dismantle Appeals Board for Montanans Denied Public Assistance
By Katheryn Houghton
February 6, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The Montana health department says the Board of Public Assistance is redundant and a bureaucratic hurdle that helps few people. Current and former board representatives say the rare cases in which the panel helps people are important.
Share Your Story: Medicaid Estate Recovery Collections
February 5, 2025
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Has your family been sent bills for repayment of Medicaid expenses after the death of a loved one who was covered by the program? KFF Health News wants to hear from you. Tell us about it here.
California Housing Officials Recommend State Protect Renters From Extreme Heat
By Molly Castle Work
February 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
State officials say homes should be able to be cooled to a safe indoor air temperature of 82 degrees. The legislature will now take up the report.
Funcionarios de California recomiendan que el estado proteja a los inquilinos del calor extremo
By Molly Castle Work
February 5, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Aunque la mayoría de las muertes y enfermedades causadas por el calor se pueden prevenir, alrededor de 1.220 personas mueren cada año en el país por esta causa.
