First Edition: Monday, Oct. 20, 2025
October 20, 2025
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Private Medicare, Medicaid Plans Exaggerate In-Network Mental Health Options, Watchdogs Say
By Tony Leys
October 20, 2025
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
A federal probe of Medicare and Medicaid plans run by private insurance companies found that the plan operators often overstated how many mental health providers were available in their networks. In some cases, investigators found providers had never had contracts with plans they were listed on.
‘Chemtrail’ Theories Warn of Health Dangers From Contrails. The Idea Takes Wing at Kennedy’s HHS.
By Stephanie Armour
October 17, 2025
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.
Luego de criticar a demócratas por su polÃtica transgénero, Newsom veta una medida de salud clave
By Christine Mai-Duc
October 17, 2025
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
La ley habrÃa obligado a las aseguradoras a cubrir y a las farmacéuticas a dispensar 12 meses de terapia hormonal de una sola vez a pacientes transgénero y a otras personas.
With Possible Sale Of 2 Pa. Hospitals, Prospect’s Troubled Tale May Soon End
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Deals are in the works to sell two of its shuttered hospitals — Chester Medical Center and Springfield Hospital — for a combined $13 million, Healthcare Dive reported. In other news from Pennsylvania: Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health is laying off 650 workers.
Pickleball-Related Eye Injuries Surge
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Although no eye injuries were reported prior to 2014, 88% took place between 2022 and 2024. About 70% of eye injuries recorded were in people older than 50. Other news looks at how walking backward can improve health, the top exercises for knee osteoarthritis, and more.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News finds longer stories for you to read. Today’s selections are on autism, gene therapy, lead exposure, sunshine, and more.
Cook County, Ill., Sees Highest Decline In Fatal ODs Among Largest Counties
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
The county — home to Chicago — had a 37% reduction in 2023, The Guardian reported. The success is due to rapidly increasing Chicago’s overdose surveillance and strong grassroots efforts. Second on the list was Queens County, New York.
Morning Briefing for Friday, October 17, 2025
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
It’s almost hereeee: Sunday is the deadline to enter this year’s Halloween health care haiku contest! Don’t be haunted by regret 👻 …
Trump Touts Pledge To Sell IVF Drugs At 70% Discount On His Branded Site
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
In exchange, drugmaker EMD Serono would get a reprieve from certain tariffs if it also invests in research and manufacturing in the U.S. The government also might consider a speedier FDA review for another fertility medicine the company wants to bring to the U.S. market.
USDA Secretary Warns Funds For Food Stamps Will Run Out In Two Weeks
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
Nearly 42 million Americans will feel the effects of losing their monthly benefits after Congress couldn’t reach an agreement on funding the government. November SNAP benefits also have been paused. Meanwhile, Congress has missed its window to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies without causing issues for states.
Ex-NIH Workers Detail Grim Reality Of Crippled Agency In ‘Constant Chaos’
October 17, 2025
Morning Briefing
The former leaders and a researcher tracking the effects of funding cuts lament the loss of research critical to their mission and fear up-and-coming scientists won’t seek government work. They also fear things haven’t “bottomed out” yet. Plus: The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is on hiatus, despite being published during previous shutdowns.
After Chiding Democrats on Transgender Politics, Newsom Vetoes a Key Health Measure
By Christine Mai-Duc
October 17, 2025
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have expanded access to hormone therapy, a top priority for the trans community. Advocates say it would have ensured continuity in gender-affirming care amid Trump administration attacks. Analysts say it’s another sign of the Democrat’s move to the center.
States Jostle Over $50B Rural Health Fund as Trump’s Medicaid Cuts Trigger Scramble
By Sarah Jane Tribble
October 17, 2025
Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original
States are battling for their piece of $50 billion in federal rural health funding, but it’s not just hospitals vying for the money. Tech startups and policy demands are raising the stakes as Medicaid cuts loom.
What the Health? From Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News: Schrödinger’s Government Shutdown
October 16, 2025
Podcast
Democrats and Republicans remain stalled over funding the federal government as Republicans launch a new attack on the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is taking advantage of the shutdown to lay off workers from programs supported mostly by Democrats. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine join Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews health insurance analyst Louise Norris about Medicare open enrollment.
Error-Ridden Medicare Advantage Directory May Confuse Seniors: Report
October 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
The Washington Post reports that the directory, originally part of the “Make Health Tech Great Again” push by the White House, could lead millions of seniors to make ill-informed choices ahead of the open enrollment period. Also, Humana lays out a plan to improve its Medicare Advantage star rating.
Deportation Fears Spread To Military After Marine’s Dad Is Deported in Calif.
October 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
Both parents — who were from Mexico and had pending green card applications — were taken into custody last month while visiting family members at Camp Pendleton, AP reported. The father was deported Friday. In other news about race and health, California’s Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed bills on slavery reparations.
Alcohol Consumption, Even In Small Amounts, Increases Dementia Risk
October 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
The research counters long-held beliefs that light intake of alcohol could be beneficial for health and instead suggests that it can increase the risk of dementia and cancer. Other news is on the improving obesity epidemic, food recalls, and more.
Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs
October 16, 2025
Morning Briefing
Each week, Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News compiles a selection of the latest health research and news.
