Kennedy moves to revive preventive services panel with new members, after months of vacancies The influential panel hasn’t met in more than a year

https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/17/kennedy-names-eight-new-members-uspstf-task-force/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9qJgk8fDa7imPjEr62fXzWV0Tyucpyp4v5n4jmdVwOeo4Oq-zBV8LnHWd6SklXUzlz9R1b81O7LBfG6Zd8_nWMlif_YA&_hsmi=439625386&utm_content=439625386&utm_source=hs_email By Chelsea Cirruzzo, Elizabeth Cooney, and Sarah ToddSept. 17, 2026

The Health Risks of AI Episode 463 • September 17, 2026

KFF Health News: KFF Health News’ ‘What The Health?’: The Health Risks Of AI Reports from a top artificial intelligence company that it stopped several attempted uses of its product that could assist in manufacturing a bioweapon caught the attention of lawmakers in Washington this week. But it is still unclear whether or when Congress will act to regulate the fast-moving industry — and the House has left town until after Election Day. (Rovner, 9/17) https://kffhealthnews.org/podcast/what-the-health-463-ai-dangers-trump-obamacare-aca-refunds-september-17-2026/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--CwEJfAhz1R9LAYh_Fr9So5cnDjkT0vcGMdpkFFRWGUr-M3y4h-mORk2J4BBlLf7yxWJi5qZYiWD7wxKe1U5MVZ2aoZA&_hsmi=439625386&utm_content=439625386&utm_source=hs_email

Sticker Shock at the Doctor’s Office Could Motivate Midterm Voters By Julie Rovner Sept. 18, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/elections/healthcare-affordability-shapes-competitive-races-midterm-elections/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9LZ9n74MmE3p4yZFhjc1Mme4k3j9lfNJCPhsRZDiZ3OkNmy808RPGDFcJgbmiCk0rdLMgt1U9ovJIqhEJnhbNpnC4PoA&_hsmi=439625386&utm_content=439625386&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: Sticker Shock At The Doctor's Office Could Motivate Midterm Voters Healthcare prices are likely to keep increasing next year. As midterm elections approach, candidates are laying out their plans to tackle these growing expenses. KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner joined WAMU’s Health Hub on Sept. 16 to explain how healthcare could play a critical role in the midterm elections. She said similar cost increases in the early 2000s led to the debate that became the Affordable Care Act. (Rovner, 9/18)

Cost-Saving Medicaid Meal Deliveries Threatened by Cuts, Policy Uncertainty By Priyanka Dayal McCluskey, WBUR Sept. 18, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/medicaid/medicaid-meal-deliveries-food-nutrition-waivers-trump-massachusetts-north-carolina/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_VdKHrF3deR6_E1hTnkgbtKssd2K3bYwpz8TeFWqJU5xT7vZRDl5Y-M9Un9a-aWGzTLmeC-xcS5aWtdpkZxLIz-f5cbA&_hsmi=439625386&utm_content=439625386&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: Cost-Saving Medicaid Meal Deliveries Threatened By Cuts, Policy Uncertainty On a weekday morning in a quiet Boston neighborhood, a kitchen bustled with activity. Volunteers sliced chicken breasts, stuffed bell peppers, filled trays, and carefully labeled each item. It was part of an experiment to offer nutritious and medically tailored meals to Medicaid patients who are unable to shop for groceries and cook for themselves. “Once I started to eat these meals that were geared toward my illness, I built up my muscle mass again, built up my strength, built up my confidence in myself,” said Vanessa Georges, who is in remission from throat cancer and said she would struggle to consume enough calories without the deliveries. “These meals have given me a second chance.” (Dayal McCluskey, 9/18)

The Drugs and Devices Have Been on the Market for Years. But FDA-Ordered Studies Still Aren’t Done. By David Hilzenrath Sept. 18, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/fda-approval-drugs-medical-devices-postmarket-studies-safety-delays-amgen-tavneos/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8ek46HDP2CTID4R-K13_7rQhIDaG2o4rz-wYcHKZWs9MAG-Imue3Q9x4lOEPdEvD1YBAiRhZuOnc-3d3mBJH5obeGrSQ&_hsmi=439625386&utm_content=439625386&utm_source=hs_email KFF Health News: The Drugs And Devices Have Been On The Market For Years. But FDA-Ordered Studies Still Aren’t Done When the FDA was deciding whether to approve the drug Tavneos several years ago to treat a set of rare autoimmune diseases, agency experts argued that would be a mistake, according to FDA records. One problem cited: The manufacturer had provided only “limited safety data.” As it often does, the FDA in 2021 approved the drug with a proviso: It required the manufacturer to conduct an additional years-long safety study once the drug was on the market. (Hilzenrath, 9/18)

What happened to oppositional defiant disorder? The disappearance of a once-common pediatric psychiatric disorder says something interesting about children and parenting

https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/17/oppositional-defiant-disorder-use-of-odd-diagnosis-declines-in-children/ By Lawrence DillerSept. 17, 2026 Diller practices behavioral/developmental pediatrics and family therapy and is on the clinical faculty of the University of California, San Francisco.

The FDA’s rebuilding effort is running into a new challenge The agency’s HR staff is struggling to keep up with hiring efforts after DOGE’s cuts

https://www.statnews.com/2026/09/17/fda-doge-cuts-new-hires-slowed-centralized-hiring-center-short-staffed/ By Margaret MantoSept. 17, 2026 Washington Correspondent