Latest Morning Briefing Stories
What the Health? From KFF Health News: New Year, Same Health Fight
Congress returned from its break facing a familiar question: whether to extend the expanded subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans that expired at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. broke a promise to Bill Cassidy, the chairman of Senate health committee, by overhauling the federal government’s childhood vaccine schedule to reduce the number of diseases for which vaccines will be recommended. Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more.
Las enfermedades y muertes que previenen las vacunas que los CDC han dejado de recomendar
El gobierno federal ha reducido drásticamente la cantidad de vacunas infantiles recomendadas, dejando fuera seis inmunizaciones de rutina que han protegido a millones de personas de enfermedades graves, discapacidades a largo plazo y muertes.
The CDC Just Sidelined These Childhood Vaccines. Here’s What They Prevent.
The CDC is recommending fewer childhood vaccines, although the ones it has jettisoned from the recommended schedule have successfully battled serious illness for years. Experts warn that if vaccine uptake falls, millions could be hospitalized — or worse — as a result of preventable diseases.
Seis tips para obtener fármacos que previenen el VIH superando obstáculos del sistema de salud
Los CDC calculan que 2,2 millones de personas en Estados Unidos podrían beneficiarse del uso de medicamentos preventivos contra el VIH, pero solo poco más de una cuarta parte los recibe.
Estados limitan la cobertura de una terapia de referencia para el autismo. Y las familias reaccionan
El aumento en el diagnóstico y la conciencia sobre el autismo ha hecho que más familias busquen tratamiento para sus hijos. Una terapia en especial ha resultado exitosa.
On the Hook for Uninsured Residents, Counties Now Wonder How They’ll Pay
Millions of people gained health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, reducing pressure on counties in states that fund care for the uninsured. With federal policies expected to reverse that trend, county officials wonder how they will fill the gap — and who will pay for it.
Planes de Medicaid refuerzan el contacto con afiliados ante los cambios que se avecinan
Nueva ley recorta más de $900.000 millones en financiamiento federal para Medicaid. También elimina alrededor de $187.000 millones del Programa de Asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria.
It’s the ‘Gold Standard’ in Autism Care. Why Are States Reining It In?
States facing yawning budget shortfalls have begun cutting Medicaid reimbursements for a wide variety of services. In some states, dramatic cuts are targeting therapies that many families of autistic people say are essential to caring for their loved ones.
Medical Bills Can Be Vexing and Perplexing. Here’s This Year’s Best Advice for Patients.
As the crowdsourced investigative series from KFF Health News approaches its eighth anniversary, “Bill of the Month” offers its top takeaways of 2025 to help patients manage, decipher, and even fight their medical bills.
Medicaid Health Plans Step Up Outreach Efforts Ahead of GOP Changes
Even as President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers say the One Big Beautiful Bill Act targets waste, fraud, and abuse, Medicaid health plans are hosting events across the U.S. to prevent low-income families from losing health insurance and food benefits next year.
Journalists Zero In on ‘Certificate of Need’ Laws and Turbulent Obamacare Enrollment Season
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on regional media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
State Exchange Directors Seeing Consumers’ Fears — In Real Time — About Obamacare Premium Hikes
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
What the Health? From KFF Health News: Time’s Up for Expanded ACA Tax Credits
A last-minute push from Democrats and four moderate Republicans will force a House vote on renewing enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans, but not until January. That means millions will have to choose between paying dramatically more or dropping coverage next year. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officially drops the federal recommendation for newborns to receive a hepatitis B shot. Tami Luhby of CNN, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Lizzy Lawrence of Stat join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Tony Leys, who wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature, and the panel discusses the year’s biggest developments in health policy.
Hay aproximadamente 5.100 personas sin hogar en Washington, D.C., incluyendo aquellas en albergues temporales, según un conteo realizado a inicios de 2025.
Washington’s Homeless Hide in Plain Sight, Growing Sicker and Costing Taxpayers More
The White House says encampment sweeps have enhanced the capital, but city leaders estimate nearly 700 homeless people roam by day and bed down outdoors by night. Some have scattered to the suburbs while others avoid detection, making it hard for medical providers to care for them.
Worried About Health Insurance Costs? There May Be Cheaper Options — But With Trade-Offs
As the clock ticks down on the 2026 Obamacare open enrollment season, frustrated consumers may have to make sacrifices on coverage to get a price they can stomach. But cheaper alternatives come with risks.
Disability Rights Lawyers Threatened With Budget Cuts, Reassignments
The Trump administration wants deep funding cuts for state-based legal services for disabled people, as rights advocates say the Justice Department pushed out many of its lawyers who worked on such issues.
Readers Make Their Wish Lists, Checking Up on Health Care
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act Complicates State Health Care Affordability Efforts
The federal budget bill President Donald Trump signed into law in July is creating uncertainty for states trying to rein in health care spending. In California, a lawsuit by the hospital industry challenging state spending caps cites the law, which will slash Medicaid spending, as one of many financial pressures.
An Arm and a Leg: How To Pick Health Insurance — In the Worst Year Ever
As millions face skyrocketing health insurance premiums, the “An Arm and a Leg” team navigates their own limited options.
