Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Friday, Jan 23 2026 ++ ++ ++ ++

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Friday, Jan 23 2026 Health Insurers, Lawmakers Lock Horns Over High Cost Of Medical Care The chief executive officers of five large insurance companies largely deflected the blame for soaring costs, arguing it's the hospitals, doctors, and drug companies that charge too much to begin with. Lawmakers were united in their criticism, with Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., telling the CEOs, “You all have been very delinquent in your duty.” Plus, a look at the VA's plan to expand community care. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-insurers-lawmakers-lock-horns-over-high-cost-of-medical-care/ Global Groups That Don't Abide By US Health Priorities Will Lose Foreign Aid In addition to organizations that provide abortion-related care, the Trump administration announced it is cutting off funding to those that promote DEI and gender-identity programs. The administration also halted funding for fetal tissue research. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/global-groups-that-dont-abide-by-us-health-priorities-will-lose-foreign-aid/ Colorectal Cancer Ousts Lung Cancer As Deadliest Type For People Under 50 Colorectal cancer leaped from the fifth-leading cause in 1990 to first place in 2023, the most recent year examined in the JAMA study. Of the top cancers, it was the only one that increased. Lung cancer deaths fell to No. 4. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/colorectal-cancer-ousts-lung-cancer-as-deadliest-type-for-people-under-50/ Moderna Says It's Scaling Back Vaccine Trials Because Of US Resistance “You cannot make a return on investment if you don’t have access to the U.S. market," CEO Stéphane Bancel said. In other news, the chairman of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices suggested in a podcast that the public might want to reconsider the use of polio vaccines. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/moderna-says-its-scaling-back-vaccine-trials-because-of-us-resistance/ EPA To Stop Testing Chemical Toxicity On Animals By 2035 The agency is working to adopt testing methods that do not involve animals but that meet legal obligations for chemical safety. Plus: the FDA weighs Zyn's safer-than-cigarettes claim; the use of a device to treat ADHD is questioned; the role of llamas in drug development; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/epa-to-stop-testing-chemical-toxicity-on-animals-by-2035/ Huntsville, Ala., Hospital System May Have Monopoly Of City, Pending Deal The nonprofit has agreed to acquire the only hospital not owned by them in Huntsville and the surrounding northern Alabama region, leaving residents with only one choice for care and putting antitrust officials to the test. Also in the news: the nurse strike in New York; an ambulance worker shortage in Minnesota; informed patient consent for AI use in health care; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/huntsville-ala-hospital-system-may-have-monopoly-of-city-pending-deal/ Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/longer-looks-interesting-reads-you-might-have-missed-248/ Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today's selections are on syphilis, motherhood, "house burping," and more. Viewpoints: Red Tape Is Killing Rural Health Care; High-Deductible Plans Make Health Care Inaccessible https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-red-tape-is-killing-rural-health-care-high-deductible-plans-make-health-care-inaccessible/