Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Wednesday, Dec 17 2025 UPDATED 9:09 AM ++++++ +

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Wednesday, Dec 17 2025 UPDATED 9:09 AM CDC Makes It Official, Drops Hep B Shot Recommendation For Newborns CDC Makes It Official, Drops Hep B Shot Recommendation For Newborns Babies whose mothers test positive for the virus, or whose status is unknown, should still get the birth dose, the CDC says, but others may delay the first shot until the child is at least 2 months old. However, doctors and hospital systems are likely to continue following the decades-old policy. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/cdc-makes-it-official-drops-newborn-hepatitis-b-vaccine-recommendation/ House To Vote On Gender-Affirming Care For Kids, Including Penalties House To Vote On Gender-Affirming Care For Kids, Including Penalties The two bills up for a vote include one that would criminalize providing certain gender-affirming procedures or medications, and one that would prohibit Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care, Axios reports. Also: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) blocks a vote on ACA subsidies. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/house-to-vote-on-gender-affirming-care-for-kids-including-penalties/ Dismantling Of USAID In Bangladesh Has Led To Surge In Child Prostitution Dismantling Of USAID In Bangladesh Has Led To Surge In Child Prostitution The sudden funding cuts in multiple countries forced the closure of thousands of schools and child protection programs. Without them, AP reported, many children as young as 10 have been forced into unwanted marriages and manual labor, and girls as young as 12 have been forced into prostitution. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/dismantling-of-usaid-in-bangladesh-has-led-to-surge-in-child-prostitution/ FDA Will Put Brain Tumor Warning On Depo-Provera Birth Control Shot FDA Will Put Brain Tumor Warning On Depo-Provera Birth Control Shot Pfizer, which makes the shot, is fighting a lawsuit from more than 1,000 women who claim the company knew about the risk of meningiomas but failed to warn patients. Meanwhile, former Vice President Mike Pence's organization Advancing American Freedom has called for HHS Secretary RFK Jr.'s removal from office over his refusal to review the abortion pill mifepristone. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/fda-will-put-brain-tumor-warning-on-depo-provera-birth-control-shot/ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Will Pay $15M To Settle Case Over Flawed Data Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Will Pay $15M To Settle Case Over Flawed Data Dana-Farber has admitted that scientists, working under inadequate supervision, used federal grant money to conduct research that led to papers with duplicated or manipulated images, Stat reported. But the agreement doesn't include an admission of intentional fraud, Stat noted. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/dana-farber-cancer-institute-will-pay-15m-to-settle-case-over-flawed-data/ NY Health System, Union Strike Deal To Bypass Insurers, Reduce Red Tape NY Health System, Union Strike Deal To Bypass Insurers, Reduce Red Tape Members of the 32BJ Health Fund will receive more favorable pricing from the nonprofit Northwell Health system, which will become the preferred provider. This strategy bypasses an insurer's role in administering the plan. Plus, the latest on the Brown University shooting. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/ny-health-system-union-strike-deal-to-bypass-insurers-reduce-red-tape/ Viewpoints: Don’t Abandon GLP-1 Research For Alzheimer’s; Gonorrhea Drug Is Special For Several Reasons https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-dont-abandon-glp-1-research-for-alzheimers-gonorrhea-drug-is-special-for-several-reasons/