Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed ++

Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-briefing/friday-august-28-2026/ Viewpoints: Healthcare System Is Failing In Multiple Ways; Congress Can Protect The CDC — And America's Health https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-u-s-healthcare-system-is-failing-in-multiple-ways-congress-can-protect-the-cdc-and-americas-health/

RFK Jr. And CDC Sow Doubt About Measles-Related Deaths In Pennsylvania ++++

RFK Jr. And CDC Sow Doubt About Measles-Related Deaths In Pennsylvania Amid a swelling measles outbreak, the top public health officials are accusing Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, of withholding information about the cases and are questioning whether measles caused the deaths. The Pennsylvania Health Department disputes those claims. The Lancaster County coroner said a newborn, who had evidence of the virus in lung tissue, suffered a ruptured spleen. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/measles-082826/ CDC Is 'Charting The Course For The Future' With New 'Voyager' Project The CDC's chief operating officer, Sean Slovenski, announced the project in an email late last week, MedPage Today reported. The initiative aims to focus on emergency public health responses and infectious diseases, as well as "immediate improvements" to "simplify processes, reduce administrative burden, and remove barriers to advancing mission-critical work." https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/administration-news-082826/ Canada Lures Top US Researchers With $362M In Promised Funding Health, advanced digital technologies, and the environment are among the priority fields set out by the Canadian government to receive funding for research projects, Bloomberg reported. After promising an accelerated immigration pathway for H-1B visa holders last year, Canada is poaching some 48 U.S. researchers from elite institutions such as Harvard University and MIT. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/pharma-and-tech-082826/ California Will Fine Hospitals, Insurers That Don't Comply With Spending Targets The California Office of Health Care Affordability voted unanimously Wednesday to discipline those who overspend, Modern Healthcare reported. Additionally, those who repeatedly fail to file acceptable performance improvement plans, don't implement corrective action plans, or falsify information could also face fines. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-briefing/friday-august-28-2026/

New Covid Shots Are Coming: Drugmakers Promise Swift Distribution, But Uptake Hurdles Remain +++

New Covid Shots Are Coming: Drugmakers Promise Swift Distribution, But Uptake Hurdles Remain People 65 and older qualify for the shots, as do people who have an increased risk of severe infection. Off-label vaccines could be available to others, but some states don't permit pharmacists to give shots that haven't been OK'd by the CDC. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, still in legal limbo, has not made a recommendation about whether the shots should be covered by insurance. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/covid-082826/ 21 Years After Katrina, New Orleans Hospital To Be Reborn As Medical Research Hub Tulane University has announced that it is spearheading a $500 million effort to convert the building that once housed Charity Hospital into a pioneering medical research facility, AP reported. It has been shut for over two decades after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/health-industry-082826/ Researchers Have Created A Molecular Map Of Autism In The Brain The research, released Thursday in the journal Science, is a map of the genetic mutations associated with autism and how they affect the brain. Scientists hope to use this map to develop more targeted therapies. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/mental-health-082826/

Why Older Pedestrians Fare Worse in Car Crashes By Paula Span Aug. 28, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/aging/older-pedestrians-risk-deaths-new-old-age/ On an August morning two years ago, Meredith Melville was crossing Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, California, to meet a friend at a cafe. While in the crosswalk, she noticed a car some distance away.

Trump and Kennedy’s Health Industry Deals Haven’t Been Enforced and Are at Risk of Vanishing By Stephanie Armour Aug. 28, 2026

https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/trump-kennedy-food-dyes-price-deals-unenforced-vanishing/ In the thick of his competitive reelection race in Michigan, Republican Rep. Tom Barrett joined Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a sprawling 400-acre apple orchard, farm, and winery. They touted Trump administration efforts to improve the American diet, including the removal of some artificial dyes from processed foods.

High Fertility Costs Push Americans Abroad for IVF Treatment By LJ Dawson Aug. 28, 2026

High Fertility Costs Push Americans Abroad for IVF Treatment Despite President Donald Trump’s promises to make fertility treatment more affordable, the overall costs for one IVF cycle in the U.S. remain in the tens of thousands of dollars. So more Americans than ever are going to Europe to seek IVF treatment for a fraction of the cost. By LJ Dawson Aug. 28, 2026 https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/ivf-tourism-fertility-in-vitro-fertilization-high-costs-pregnancy-parenthood-greece/

Overview of President Trump’s Executive Actions Impacting LGBTQ+ Health Authors: Lindsey Dawson and Jennifer Kates Published: Aug 21, 2026

https://www.kff.org/lgbtq/overview-of-president-trumps-executive-actions-impacting-lgbtq-health/ This tracker examines Executive Actions taken by the Trump administration that have the potential to impact LGBTQ+ people’s health. It lists the action taken by date, provisions relevant to LGBTQ+ health, and describes potential impact, including litigation challenging these actions.