California Halts Medical Parole, Sends Several Critically Ill Patients Back to Prison
By Don Thompson
California has unilaterally halted a court-ordered medical parole program. Instead, it’s sending its most incapacitated prisoners back to state lockups or releasing them early. The change is drawing protests from attorneys representing prisoners and the author of the medical parole law, who argue prisoners’ health may be compromised.
On Autism, Kennedy Turns Against Science and Reality
By Tarena Lofton
During his first news conference as Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on April 16 ticked off things he thinks kids with autism will never do, including paying taxes, holding a job, and going on a date. Kennedy’s comments go against science and reality.
Daily Edition for Friday, April 18, 2025
Californians Can Air Their Social Security Grievances: Attorney General Rob Bonta has launched oag.ca.gov/socialsecurity, an online portal for residents to report issues related to accessing services, such as disability benefits. Complaints registered on the site will help inform any future legal action. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Watch: Why Insurance Companies Are Denying Coverage for Prosthetic Limbs
By Michelle Andrews
Although knee replacements are usually covered by health insurance, amputees face roadblocks to coverage and often must prove their prosthetics are medically necessary.
Covid Worsened Shortages of Doctors and Nurses. Five Years On, Rural Hospitals Still Struggle.
By Natalie Krebs, Iowa Public Radio
The U.S. faces a crucial shortage of medical providers, especially in rural areas. The problem has been building for a while, experts say, but the pandemic accelerated it by pushing many doctors over the edge into early retirement or other fields.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': On Autism, It’s the Secretary’s Word vs. CDC’s
Tensions between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his employees at the Department of Health and Human Services are mounting, as he made a series of claims about autism this week — contradicting his agency’s findings. Plus, President Donald Trump unveiled an executive order to lower drug prices as his administration explores tariffs that could raise them. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Emmarie Huetteman to discuss these stories and more. Plus, KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews two University of California-San Francisco researchers about an upcoming Supreme Court case that could have major ramifications for preventive care.
Daily Edition for Thursday, April 17, 2025
Fatal Drug Overdoses Rise in San Francisco: Accidental drug overdose deaths in San Francisco rose for the fourth straight month after showing a promising decline last year, according to preliminary figures released Wednesday by the Office of the Medical Examiner. Sixty-five people fatally overdosed in March, bringing the monthly average to 64 over the past three months. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
RFK Jr. Struggles To Navigate Frustrated Supporters and a Demanding Boss
By Stephanie Armour
Leaders of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement cheered the ascent of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Health and Human Services secretary, but their wish list is far from being realized.
Fate of Black Maternal Health Programs Is Unclear Amid Federal Cuts
By Ronnie Cohen
In California, Black women are at least three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. Santa Clara County initiatives aimed at reducing racial disparities work but depend on federal dollars — money that might not flow amid budget cuts and a push to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Beyond Ivy League, RFK Jr.’s NIH Slashed Science Funding Across States That Backed Trump
By Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan
A KFF Health News analysis underscores how the terminations have spared no part of the country, politically or geographically. Of the organizations that had grants cut in the first month, about 40% are in states President Donald Trump won in November.
