Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Wednesday, Jan 7 2026 8:54 AM +++ +++ +

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Wednesday, Jan 7 2026 8:54 AM House To Take Procedural Vote On ACA Today; GOP's Grip On Congress Slips The so-called discharge petition allows 218 or more rank-and-file members to sidestep the speaker and force a vote. As of Tuesday, which was the first day of the new session of Congress, the Republican majority has dwindled to the bare minimum of 218 votes, The New York Times reported. This will make it more difficult for the GOP to advance its agenda. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/house-to-take-procedural-vote-on-aca-today-gops-grip-on-congress-slips/ Pointing To Obamacare, Wyoming High Court Affirms Right To Abortion Care Wellspring Health Access and others argued that the state's constitution protects an adult's right to make their own health care decisions — voter-approved wording intended as a check on the Affordable Care Act. The state would have to add "abortion" to the wording to ensure the legality of any ban. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/pointing-to-obamacare-wyoming-high-court-affirms-right-to-abortion-care/ CDC's New Childhood Vaccine Guidance Gets Pushback From West Coast States The West Coast Health Alliance — which includes California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii — will continue to recommend the childhood vaccination schedule endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Colorado has also opted to keep the old schedule. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/cdcs-new-childhood-vaccine-guidance-gets-pushback-from-west-coast-states/ HHS Halts $10B In Child Care, Family Aid To 5 States Over Fraud Allegations The Democratic-led states — California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York — were notified by Health and Human Services that they'll need to provide extra documentation to access the funds. Other news comes from Texas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Utah, and Louisiana. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/hhs-halts-10b-in-child-care-family-aid-to-5-states-over-fraud-allegations/ FDA Introduces New Rules For Wearables And AI-Enabled Devices The agency announced Tuesday that it is reducing oversight of digital health products. Commissioner Marty Makary unveiled the news in a speech at the Consumer Electronics Show. Also: Utah is allowing AI to prescribe medications; telehealth reimbursement is in limbo; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/fda-introduces-new-rules-for-wearables-and-ai-enabled-devices/ Upcoming US Dietary Guidelines Might Reduce Added Sugar, Increase Protein The guidelines are updated roughly every five years by the Health and Human Services and Agriculture departments, and the latest update is due to be officially unveiled later this week. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/upcoming-us-dietary-guidelines-might-reduce-added-sugar-increase-protein/ Viewpoints: Pediatricians Must Show Empathy In Vaccine Talks; Altering The Vaccine Schedule Puts Children At Risk https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-pediatricians-must-show-empathy-in-vaccine-talks-altering-the-vaccine-schedule-puts-children-at-risk/