Kennedy Touts AI at MAHA Summit; Dems Blame Trump for Food Safety Issues, 'Zombified CDC'

Here’s what happened in healthcare this week: ➡️ Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said artificial intelligence could provide a better-informed second opinion than any doctor in the country. ➡️ Democrats blamed food safety issues on President Trump and encouraged voters to oust Republicans at the polls. ➡️ The New York Times reported that staff reductions at the CDC have been more extensive than the government has acknowledged. Want more of the top healthcare and health policy issues each week? KFF Health News will be back with a weekly video recap of the news you need to know.

Four Red Flags and One Truth Behind the Peptide Hype

Experimental peptides have become darlings among influencers and doctors in the longevity, wellness, and biohacking space. Amy Maxmen, senior correspondent at KFF Health News, spoke with Jessica Malaty Rivera, a leading health communicator on social media, about how the hype around peptides is misleading. This is part of Maxmen's reporting on peptides, which you can read here: https://kffhealthnews.org/public-heal...

The sometimes-awkward art of asking for a second opinion

A doctor has recommended a course of action that is invasive, expensive, or somehow different from what you'd prefer. Is it OK to get a second opinion? The answer is yes. Here’s how to make the ask a little less awkward.

Trump Signs Order for New Women's Health Programs, RFK Jr. and Peptides, Healthcare on the Ballot

Here’s what happened in healthcare this week: ➡️ President Trump signed an executive order to establish women’s health programs at the White House and NIH. ➡️ RFK Jr. submitted an initial plan to the White House to allow specialty pharmacies to produce peptides, even though they’re largely unregulated. ➡️ Several states have key health issues on their midterm ballots. Want more of the top healthcare and health policy issues each week? KFF Health News will be back with a weekly video recap of the news you need to know.

Medicaid Is Now a Campaign Issue

Healthcare issues continue to be front and center in the midterm campaigns. Democrats are hammering Republicans on the federal funding cuts to Medicaid included in 2025’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, even before many of the reductions take full effect. Republicans, for their part, are accusing Democrats of failing to fight fraud and abuse in federal programs. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump this week unveiled initiatives aimed at improving women’s health and rewarding whistleblowers who uncover fraud, despite the fact that there are long-standing federal programs addressing both issues. It’s unclear what’s new that the programs will bring to the table. This week’s panelists are Julie Rovner of KFF Health News, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Amanda Seitz of KFF Health News, and Liz Essley Whyte of The Wall Street Journal.

Viewpoints: Different Politics, Same Concerns About US Healthcare; Is There A Link Between AI Use And Social Isolation?

https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-different-politics-same-concerns-about-us-healthcare-how-much-ai-usage-is-linked-to-isolation/

Water Supply Crisis Deepens In Arizona As Backup Supply Dwindles, Utility Costs Soar

Water Supply Crisis Deepens In Arizona As Backup Supply Dwindles, Utility Costs Soar “Cheap water is over,” said the utility director of Queen Creek, Arizona. Many residents are unsure how they can afford water bills that in some cases rival their car payments. Meanwhile, researchers have found that the backup water supply in the Colorado River Basin is drying up. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/state-watch-102626/