Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Dec 18 2025 UPDATED 9:35 AM ++++++ ++

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Dec 18 2025 UPDATED 9:35 AM House OKs GOP Health Care Bill Without Extending ACA Subsidies House OKs GOP Health Care Bill Without Extending ACA Subsidies The vote was 216-211, but four Republicans have joined with Democrats in trying to force a vote on an extension of the ACA subsidies. Meanwhile, Affordable Care Act exchanges brace for chaos https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/house-oks-gop-health-care-bill-without-extending-aca-subsidies/ Anti-Transgender Bill Passes House; RFK Jr. Could Announce Restrictions Anti-Transgender Bill Passes House; RFK Jr. Could Announce Restrictions Meanwhile in Texas, the Department of Public Safety is amassing a list of transgender Texans using data from their driver's licenses, and the state has opened a public tip line designed to help enforce the state’s “bathroom bill." https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/anti-transgender-bill-passes-house-rfk-jr-could-announce-restrictions/ HHS Rescinds Millions In Grants Given To American Academy Of Pediatrics HHS Rescinds Millions In Grants Given To American Academy Of Pediatrics The Trump administration said it is clawing back grants that “no longer align with the department’s mission or priorities.” The academy has been critical of how the Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has approached vaccine policy. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/hhs-rescinds-millions-in-grants-given-to-american-academy-of-pediatrics/ Nebraska Medicaid Work Requirements Will Start May 1, Ahead Of Schedule Nebraska Medicaid Work Requirements Will Start May 1, Ahead Of Schedule The Cornhusker State will be the first to fall in line with the Trump administration's law that mandates 80 hours of work or community service each month, or part-time school enrollment for people 19 to 64 who have Medicaid coverage. States have until 2027 to implement that policy https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/nebraska-medicaid-work-requirements-will-start-may-1-ahead-of-schedule/ NEJM Evidence, CIDRAP Issue First 'Public Health Alerts' To Fill Data Gaps NEJM Evidence, CIDRAP Issue First ‘Public Health Alerts’ To Fill Data Gaps The joint report discussed mpox and H3N2 influenza. The collaboration aims to provide "timely, evidence-based alerts that can help local and state health leaders act quickly to protect the health of people in their communities,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/nejm-evidence-cidrap-issue-first-public-health-alerts-to-fill-data-gaps/ Study Shows High-Fat Cheese, Cream May Help Lower Dementia Risk Study Shows High-Fat Cheese, Cream May Help Lower Dementia Risk The researchers note that no difference was seen for low-fat milk products, or whole milk, and that what the cows eat is also important. Other lifestyle and health news looks at warning signs of dementia; blood tests for Alzheimer's; "holiday heart syndrome;" and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/study-shows-high-fat-cheese-cream-may-help-lower-dementia-risk/ Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-49/ Viewpoints: States Are Vital To Protecting Vaccine Access; Informed Debate With MAHA Mavens Is Futile https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-states-are-vital-to-protecting-vaccine-access-informed-debate-with-maha-mavens-is-futile/