Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Tuesday, Feb 10 2026 8:57 AM +++ +++ + +

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Tuesday, Feb 10 2026 8:57 AM CMS Planning To Revamp ACA In 2027 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a draft payment rule Monday in which it proposed repealing a requirement that federal exchanges and state-based exchanges on the federal platform offer standardized plan options, Modern Healthcare reported. The news report also said CMS wants to allow some non-network plans to attain qualified health plan status if they can prove they have a sufficient network. CMS also wants more access to catastrophic coverage. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/cms-planning-to-revamp-aca-in-2027/ CDC To Rescind $600M In Grants To 4 Blue States; California Takes Worst Hit The other cuts are in Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. But nearly two-thirds of the funding is unspent money allocated to state and local public health departments in California, The New York Times reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/cdc-to-rescind-600m-in-grants-to-4-blue-states-california-takes-worst-hit/ As Kaiser Strike Gains Steam, New York Nurses Vote Whether To End Theirs Grocery union pharmacists are showing up at pickets in support of the 34,000 nurses, health care professionals, and pharmacy and lab workers who walked off the job amid stalled contract talks between Kaiser Permanente and the United Food and Commercial Workers union. Also, the New York State Nurses Association has reached a tentative deal with New York hospitals to bring back nurses. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/as-kaiser-strike-gains-steam-new-york-nurses-vote-whether-to-end-theirs/ 60 Kids Have Died From Flu So Far This Season; Most Weren't Fully Vaccinated Meanwhile, influenza A activity is decreasing while influenza B is increasing, the CDC's FluView report shows. In other news, a study has found that long covid might be triggering Alzheimer's-like changes in the brain. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/60-kids-have-died-from-flu-so-far-this-season-most-werent-fully-vaccinated/ California Assembly OKs $90M Funding Bills For Planned Parenthood Clinics The money is not earmarked for abortion procedures but would cover reproductive health care such as cervical cancer screenings. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom must approve the package before funds can flow to clinics. More news is from Colorado, North Carolina, Missouri, Louisiana, and Michigan. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/california-assembly-oks-90m-funding-bills-for-planned-parenthood-clinics/ Since The '80s, Olympic Snow Sports Have Used Waxes With PFAS. No More. This year marks the first winter Olympics without the use of fluorinated ski waxes, which increase speed. Also: self-quarantines among some athletes at the Games; a lack of child care and support for Olympian moms; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/since-the-80s-olympic-snow-sports-have-used-waxes-with-pfas-no-more/ Novo Nordisk Files Patent Suit Against Hims & Hers Over Ozempic, Wegovy https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/novo-nordisk-files-patent-suit-against-hims-hers-over-ozempic-wegovy/ The Wall Street Journal reports that what's at issue is sales of custom-made, or compounded, versions of weight loss drugs. Also: The FDA issued a warning letter to a compounding pharmacy owned by Hims & Hers over inspection issues, as well as warned Novo Nordisk that its Wegovy pill ad included “false or misleading” claims. Viewpoints: HHS’ Addiction Initiative Might Be Short-Lived; Fewer Shots For Kids Is Bad News For Working Parents https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-hhs-addiction-initiative-might-be-short-lived-fewer-shots-for-kids-is-bad-news-for-working-parents/