Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
“Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KFF Health News newsroom to the airwaves each week.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, July 1, 2025
California Changes Environmental Law That Made It Harder To Help Homeless: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Monday a bill overhauling the landmark California Environmental Quality Act, which he and housing advocates said will jump-start development and tackle the state’s perennial housing shortage. Read more from The Sacramento Bee, the San Francisco Chronicle, KQED, and CalMatters.
Feds Investigate Hospitals Over Religious Exemptions From Gender-Affirming Care
By Kate Wells, Michigan Public
Federal health officials are investigating claims that a Michigan health system fired an employee who sought a religious exemption to avoid calling transgender patients by their pronouns or referring them for gender-affirming care. Legal experts say the investigation escalates the Trump administration’s effort to curb medical care for transgender patients.
HHS Eliminates CDC Staff Who Made Sure Birth Control Is Safe for Women at Risk
By Rachana Pradhan
The Trump administration eliminated the CDC team that developed national guidelines for prescribing contraception safely for millions of women with underlying medical conditions.
Daily Edition for Monday, June 30, 2025
Newsom Signs Budget That Slashes Health Care Expansion For Immigrants: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed on Friday a budget that pares back a number of progressive priorities, including a landmark health care expansion for low-income adult immigrants without legal status, to close a $12 billion deficit. It’s the third year in a row California has been forced to slash funding or stop some of the programs championed by Democratic leaders. Read more from AP.
In a First, Trump and GOP-Led Congress Prepare To Swell Ranks of U.S. Uninsured
By Renuka Rayasam and Sam Whitehead
Fewer Americans will likely have health insurance, compromising their physical and financial health, as the Trump administration and GOP-controlled Congress weigh major changes to the ACA and Medicaid. “The effects could be catastrophic,” one policy analyst predicts.
A Texas Boy Needed Protection From Measles. The Vaccine Cost $1,400.
By Julie Appleby
A family living in Galveston was surprised to be charged thousands of dollars for immunizations for their children. Their insurance plan didn’t cover the shots, and the cost of the measles vaccine in particular was more than five times what health officials say it goes for in the private sector.
Daily Edition for Friday, June 27, 2025
Immigrant Medi-Cal risks; Medicaid cuts in tax bill; vaccine safety; Planned Parenthood; HIV funding; weight-loss drugs; and more.
Too Sick To Work, Some Americans Worry Trump’s Bill Will Strip Their Health Insurance
By Phil Galewitz and Stephanie Armour
Republicans claim 4.8 million Americans on Medicaid who could work choose not to. The GOP’s work-requirement legislation could sweep up disabled people who say they’re unable to hold jobs.
Thune Says Health Care Often ‘Comes With a Job.’ The Reality’s Not Simple or Straightforward.
By Arielle Zionts
Sixty percent of Americans have health insurance through their own workplace or someone else’s job. But not all employers provide health insurance or offer plans to all their workers. When they do, cost and quality vary widely, making Thune’s statement an oversimplification.
