As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists. Under Trump, No One Answered.
By Amy Maxmen
Trump officials sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists, slowing their response to the measles outbreak in West Texas. Cases surged and sparked new outbreaks across the U.S. and Mexico. Together, these linked outbreaks have sickened more than 4,500 and killed at least 16 in the U.S. and Mexico.
Daily Edition for Friday, August 22, 2025
Homelessness Dips Across California: Signs of progress are emerging in the state’s fight against homelessness. Across 15 counties that conducted counts in 2024 and 2025, all but two reported declines in their overall homeless populations. Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma recorded decreases of more than 20%. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle. Scroll down for more about the housing crisis.
The Price Increases That Should Cause Americans More Alarm
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
The cost of health insurance is rising faster than the price of eggs or gasoline.
Native Americans Want To Avoid Past Medicaid Enrollment Snafus as Work Requirements Loom
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
As states prepare to implement changes to Medicaid required by President Donald Trump’s recent tax-and-spending law, tribal leaders say they are concerned Native American enrollees could lose their coverage, despite exemptions made by Congress.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Happy 60th, Medicare and Medicaid!
This summer marks the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, the twin government programs that have shaped the health care system into what it is today. In this special episode, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews two experts on the history, significance, and future of these programs: Medicare historian and University of North Carolina professor Jonathan Oberlander and George Washington University professor emerita Sara Rosenbaum, who has studied Medicaid since nearly its beginning and has helped shape Medicaid policy over the past four decades.
Daily Edition for Thursday, August 21, 2025
Sutter To Close Outpatient Surgery Center: Sacramento-based Sutter Health plans to close its Jackson-based Sutter Amador Surgery Center on Oct. 3. Hospital leaders said in an open letter that closing the outpatient surgery center will help “align resources with areas of growing need” in the community it serves. Read more from Becker’s Hospital Review.
How Older People Are Reaping Brain Benefits From New Tech
By Paula Span
Overuse of digital gadgets harms teenagers, research suggests. But ubiquitous technology may be helping older Americans stay sharp.
Try This When Your Doctor Says ‘Yes’ to a Preventive Test but Insurance Says ‘No’
By Jackie Fortiér
Illustrations by Oona Zenda
A joint project of NPR and KFF Health News, Health Care Helpline helps you navigate the health system hurdles between you and good care. Send us your tricky questions, and we may tap a policy sleuth to puzzle them out. Here is what to do if your preventive care gets denied.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, August 20, 2025
State Lawmakers To Debate Bill On Ultraprocessed School Lunches: A bill that would make California the first in the nation to phase out “particularly harmful” ultraprocessed foods from the 1 billion school meals served in the state each year faces a key Senate committee hearing next week as critics question how far it might go. Read more from Bay Area News Group.
