FDA Unveils Voucher Program In Effort To Speed Up Drug Review Time
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
A new program will let drug developers who are “aligned with U.S. national priorities” submit a portion of their applications at least two months early, allowing the review process to be shaved from 12 months to possibly one or two. Plus, a push for psychedelics for mental health treatment.
About 5% Of People With Measles Had All Or Some Vaccine Protection
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Although data from a recent case has not been disclosed, the CDC reports that of the nearly 3% of other infected people who were fully vaccinated, not one was hospitalized. A double dose of the measles vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the disease.
‘Feeling A Pinch’: Tariff Uncertainty Wobbles Hospitals’ Purchasing Plans
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Axios points out that the health care supply chain is already difficult to navigate, with some essentials regularly experiencing shortages. Other industry news is on Headspace, Hinge Health, Ascension, and more.
Intercontinental Robotic Telesurgery Treats First Patient In Clinical Trial
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The groundbreaking, FDA-approved trial was undertaken by Dr. Vipul Patel, who performed a prostatectomy from Florida on the patient who was in Angola. In other news, a neurosurgical robot; Andembry approval; and more.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs.
Morning Briefing for Wednesday, June 18, 2025
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Morning Briefing will not be published Thursday in observance of Juneteenth. Look for it again in your inbox on Friday.
Under GOP Tax Plan, Health Sector Would Take $1 Trillion Hit, CBO Says
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
A comprehensive analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation looked at the broader economic effects of the proposed tax cuts and concluded the cost would outweigh the benefits. More news is on the reaction to the GOP’s Medicaid cuts.
Fatal Overdoses Rise Nationwide After 17 Months Of Declines
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Meanwhile, a judge is asked to clear the way for the next steps in Purdue Pharma’s $7 billion opioid settlement. Also: A brain-dead woman at the center of a battle over Georgia’s abortion ban is set to be removed from life support.
First Edition: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
June 18, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations. Note to readers: KFF Health News’ First Edition will not be published Thursday in observance of Juneteenth. Look for it again in your inbox on Friday.
An Arm and a Leg: The Prescription Drug Playbook, Part I
By Dan Weissmann
June 18, 2025
Podcast
In Part 1 of a two-part series on dealing with the high price of prescription drugs, a father explains the strategies he used to get his daughter the medicine she needs to treat her epilepsy.
Have Job-Based Health Coverage at 65? You May Still Want To Sign Up for Medicare
By Michelle Andrews
June 18, 2025
KFF Health News Original
Patient advocates say they frequently hear from people who thought they didn’t need to sign up for Medicare when they turned 65 because they had group health coverage. That delay sometimes forces people to cover medical expenses themselves.
Nurse Practitioners Critical in Treating Older Adults as Ranks of Geriatricians Shrink
By Jariel Arvin
June 18, 2025
KFF Health News Original
The number of nurse practitioners specializing in geriatrics has more than tripled since 2010.
Must Crisis Pregnancy Centers Abide By State Subpoenas? High Court To Decide
June 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
First Choice Women’s Resource Centers argues that the First Amendment allows it to protect donor information from New Jersey officials investigating whether the clinics are misrepresenting themselves to donors and patients. Also, Ohio lawmakers are revisiting abortion ban plans.
NC Republicans Propose Recognizing Just Two Sexes, Spurn Gender Identity
June 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Senate Republicans added language defining biological sex to a bill regulating online pornography that won unanimous support in the House. The Senate has not yet voted on the bill. More news comes from Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, California, and Washington, D.C.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, June 17, 2025
June 17, 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.
Senate Bill Calls For Deeper Medicaid Cuts Than House-Passed Bill
June 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Senate bill would expand Medicaid work requirements to include the parents of older children, not just childless adults. Other Medicaid news covers a poll indicating Americans’ support for federal health programs, the effects of cuts in rural America, and more.
NIH Cuts To Minority Groups’ Grants Are Illegal, Discriminatory, Judge Rules
June 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
On Monday, Judge William G. Young of the Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts ordered much of the funding to be restored, pending an appeal. “I’ve never seen a record where racial discrimination was so palpable,” he said. Plus: VA hospital rules, asbestos, and more.
CDC Official Who Tracked Hospital Trends From Infectious Diseases Quits
June 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
“I no longer have confidence that these data will be used objectively or evaluated with appropriate scientific rigor to make evidence-based vaccine policy decisions,” Dr. Fiona Havers told colleagues. And in MAHA news: Kraft Heinz says it will stop using certain artificial dyes by the end of 2027.
