KFF Health News

D.C. plans to use approximately $7.8 million from opioid settlement proceeds to help cover recurring costs for Medicaid and addiction treatment programs. Critics argue that this move intends only to maintain existing spending levels rather than expanding necessary services or treatments. The funds originate from a multibillion-dollar legal settlement related to the nation's opioid crisis.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed the Anthony Fauci Senate hearing, potential FDA changes to peptide drug restrictions, and the impact of children's caffeine consumption on health. Additional topics included the Affordable Care Act enrollment in New Mexico and the effects of losing EPA grant money.

Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate Homeland Security Committee hearing focused on COVID-19. Arthur Allen, a senior correspondent for KFF Health News, is providing additional context on the matter.

Federal loan caps for graduate students, enacted in 2025, aim to reduce student debt and pressure schools to lower tuition but may force healthcare students to rely on private lenders with higher interest rates. Experts warn this could limit career options, exacerbate healthcare provider shortages, and reduce workforce diversity.

The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation program, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aims to expand rural healthcare access. States competed for first-year funding allocations, with New Jersey receiving $147 million and Texas $281 million. Public documents for each state are available for review.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed health-related topics including tick bites, wildfire smoke, and rising health costs in recent media appearances. The coverage included discussions on the affordability of Affordable Care Act plans, effects of severe heat, and challenges in maintaining consistent health coverage.

Sen. Bill Cassidy supports President Trump’s proposed tariffs on imported generic drugs, arguing the price increase could be justified to reduce reliance on China for drug production and protect the U.S. drug supply. Trump’s plan involves a two-year deadline for domestic production, followed by tariffs rising to 200%. Cassidy also mentioned concerns about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s HHS leadership and vaccine policy promises.

Measles cases in the U.S. have reached a 35-year high, driven by declining vaccination rates and domestic outbreaks. The CDC is finalizing a report indicating the U.S. may no longer meet criteria for measles elimination, with Utah’s outbreak lasting over a year and causing severe health complications, including hospitalizations and deaths.

A Deloitte-managed Medicaid eligibility system in Michigan incorrectly denied benefits to disabled individuals, including Marie Noon, who faced out-of-pocket costs for medications. Similar issues have occurred in Tennessee and Texas, with Deloitte stating no system anomalies cause routine denials, attributing errors to state-owned systems.

Local governments in New York and other states are receiving nearly half of $58 billion in opioid settlement funds, but spending on items like surveillance cameras and law enforcement gear has drawn criticism for not addressing addiction. Lack of oversight and inter-agency blame-shifting have led to concerns about misuse of funds, with advocates calling for stricter accountability.

A Deloitte-operated Medicaid eligibility system in Michigan incorrectly denied benefits to disabled individuals, including Marie Noon, due to IT errors. Similar issues have occurred in Tennessee and Texas, with Deloitte denying systemic problems in its systems.

Journalists discussed the Department of Health and Human Services' plan to compensate for automatic Covid vaccine injuries, a drop in Affordable Care Act enrollment, and telehealth abortion access on various media outlets. Céline Gounder and Sam Whitehead addressed these topics on CBS and WUGA broadcasts, while an article highlighted telehealth providers' views on abortion pill access.

Large employers, which provide healthcare coverage to over 160 million Americans, prioritize strengthening primary care and increasing price transparency as key healthcare reforms. They highlight challenges with affordability and the impact of healthcare system consolidation on their market leverage.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed the health risks of raw milk and an infant botulism outbreak linked to recalled formula, allegations against Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding CDC oversight, extreme heat in Georgia, and strategic use of opioid settlement funds for long-term impact.

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in zero-premium drug plans from Wellcare and other insurers lost coverage after their premiums increased and they failed to pay, leading to termination. Jude Pare, a beneficiary, faced coverage cancellation and potential life-threatening risks due to lost access to critical medication.

The Trump administration's new Medicaid work rule requires recipients to document exemptions, such as a doctor's note, to avoid losing coverage starting next year. Consumer advocates warn the policy may disproportionately affect individuals unable to meet work requirements.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed healthcare costs and political fallout on a radio show, and public health concerns related to an immigration detention center in Georgia. The article highlights two reports on healthcare affordability and ICE detention site risks.

The article discusses the challenges of the 'sandwich generation'—adults caring for both children and aging parents. It cites Pew Research data showing nearly a quarter of U.S. adults and half of those in their 40s are in this situation. Topics explored include FMLA leave, mental health for children, and early-onset cancer.

Pfizer and Valneva plan to seek approval for a new Lyme disease vaccine, following the failure of a 1990s vaccine due to lawsuits and public fear. A survey of hunters, a high-risk group for tick exposure, found mixed reactions, with some expressing interest and others seeking more information about safety and effectiveness.

A study by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals that uninsured gunshot wound victims in Florida hospitals are discharged significantly faster than insured patients, with some staying half as long. The analysis of hospital data from 2018 to 2024 shows uninsured patients, like Alea Bates who was shot seven times, often receive less comprehensive care and face barriers to rehabilitation due to financial constraints.

Florida hospitals discharge gunshot wound victims more quickly if they are uninsured, as seen in Alea Bates' case where she was sent home after four days without further diagnostic tests due to lack of health insurance. A new analysis by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals uninsured patients with gun injuries in Florida spend significantly fewer hospital days compared to insured patients.

A yearlong investigation by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals that uninsured gunshot victims in Florida have shorter hospital stays compared to insured patients. Uninsured patients averaged six days in the hospital, about three-quarters of the time for those with private insurance and less than half for Medicaid patients. Black patients were highly overrepresented, comprising nearly half of all gunshot wound hospitalizations.

Drugmakers are developing a potential new Lyme disease vaccine to prevent tick-borne illness. The article explores how the vaccine might be received in the context of vaccine skepticism, particularly among hunters.

The FDA approved a sunscreen chemical, offering a chance to restore faith in sunscreen, and rural dialysis clinics in Nebraska closed despite significant state rural health funding. Two KFF Health News contributors discussed these issues on radio programs.

The article discusses the challenges of being part of the 'sandwich generation,' balancing childcare and aging parents. KFF Health News correspondent Cara Anthony shares tips on navigating caregiving responsibilities and highlights the benefits of identifying as a caregiver to access support services. The piece emphasizes resources and community for those in this dual role.

Early-onset cancers, including colorectal and breast cancers, are rising in U.S. adults under 50. Family history is a critical risk factor, and early screenings can save lives, as demonstrated by Bryce Ramsey’s stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis at 33 and her family’s subsequent diagnoses.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed findings of medical neglect in ICE detention facilities and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s views on antidepressants. Additional segments covered the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and public health preparations for the World Cup.

A Utah pediatrician treated a newborn exposed to measles in the womb, facing parental resistance to medical intervention. Declining vaccination rates are enabling larger measles outbreaks, overwhelming public health departments and causing concern among healthcare professionals.

Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident detained by ICE, claim he is denied consistent diabetes care in an Indiana jail, leading to a 30-pound weight loss and risks of organ failure. They also allege religious harassment and inadequate medical treatment for his condition.

Céline Gounder discussed studies linking ultraprocessed foods to dementia risk, the Ebola outbreak in central Africa, U.S. health funding cuts, and GLP-1 drugs' potential to reduce breast cancer risk in women. She also addressed President Donald Trump's new medical report and creatine supplements on CBS News programs.

Hundreds of immigrant detainees across 33 states reported inadequate medical care in court filings, including untreated cancers, infections, and chronic conditions like diabetes and HIV. Detainees described delayed or denied medications, unaddressed medical emergencies, and facilities such as 'Alligator Alcatraz' lacking proper oversight.

More than 1 million children have lost insurance since 2025 under President Donald Trump's administration, with another million at risk due to immigration policies and Medicaid rule changes. The GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill Act has led to higher premiums, confusion over coverage, and falling enrollment in Affordable Care Act and Medicaid programs, leaving nearly 2 million children uninsured.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seeking access to Americans' medical records to investigate a link between vaccines and autism, a claim the medical community has long dismissed. Public health leaders have raised concerns about the legality and utility of the data, while President Donald Trump has supported Kennedy's vaccine safety doubts with an executive order reducing recommended childhood vaccines.

KFF Health News and The Associated Press analyzed immigration habeas corpus claims to identify allegations of medical neglect in ICE detention centers during the second Trump administration. They reviewed 33,000 cases, finding 500 with potential medical neglect claims, and manually verified over 300 cases with specific allegations of inadequate healthcare.

Hundreds of ICE detainees across 33 U.S. states allege medical neglect in federal lawsuits, including delayed or denied treatments for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Detainees reported severe consequences such as untreated infections, self-extracted teeth, and hospitalizations, with ICE custody deaths reaching a 20-year high since Trump's second administration began.

KFF Health News and The Associated Press are investigating allegations of medical neglect at ICE detention centers during the second Trump administration. The focus is on how medical care was handled in these facilities under that administration.

Detainees in U.S. immigration facilities across 33 states allege medical neglect, including untreated infections, denied medications, and delayed care for chronic conditions like diabetes and HIV. Federal lawsuits and interviews reveal systemic failures in providing timely healthcare, with ICE detaining over 75,000 immigrants as of mid-January 2024.

Céline Gounder, KFF Health News’ editor-at-large for public health, discussed research-grade peptides, new colorectal cancer screening guidelines, and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on CBS Mornings. The article highlights her appearances on May 26 and 27 addressing these public health topics.

The article highlights a growing number of overdoses linked to GLP-1 weight loss drugs, as reported in an investigative piece by NBC News in collaboration with KFF Health News.

The latest KFF Health News Minute discusses suicide prevention experts advocating for improved financial well-being to reduce suicide rates and the Trump administration's proposal to relax AI safeguards in healthcare to accelerate innovation.