Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Feb 19 2026 8:45 AM +++ +++ ++

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Feb 19 2026 8:45 AM NIH Director Bhattacharya Takes On Double Duty Leading CDC — For Now Jay Bhattacharya's acting role gives the Trump administration time to find a permanent replacement for ousted director Jim O'Neill. Plus, Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine application will be reviewed by the FDA after all. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/nih-director-bhattacharya-takes-on-double-duty-leading-cdc-for-now/ Trump's FDA To Require Only One Study For Drug Approvals, Not Two In changing the longtime standard, administration officials aim to speed up the approval process. Also in the news: domestic production of glyphosate, fluoride in drinking water, and more https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/trumps-fda-to-require-only-one-study-for-drug-approvals-not-two/ More Pregnant People Are Putting Off Prenatal Care, CDC Data Indicate Although nearly all racial and ethnic groups experienced a downward trend, minority groups had more of a decrease in early prenatal care. The report didn't touch on reasons for the shift in care, but doctors noted access has become challenging as maternity care deserts pop up across the nation. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/more-pregnant-people-are-putting-off-prenatal-care-cdc-data-indicate/ New National Specialty Care Coalition Will Focus On Rural Patient Access More than 20 health systems have joined forces to improve health care access in rural and underserved communities, Modern Healthcare reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/new-national-specialty-care-coalition-will-focus-on-rural-patient-access/ NYU Langone Ends Transgender Youth Health Program, To Dismay Of Many Months after the Trump administration proposed a withdrawal of federal funds from hospitals providing gender transition treatments to young people, NYU Langone has announced the end of its health program. Advocates are calling for the reinstatement of the program, while hoping the city and state will help fill gaps in care. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/nyu-langone-ends-transgender-youth-health-program-to-dismay-of-many/ Blood Tests May Give Patients A 'Clock' For Alzheimer’s Disease, Study Finds Although the findings are not yet accurate enough to predict a patient’s exact trajectory, The Washington Post reports that scientists created a model that could use blood test results to forecast the start of symptoms within a margin of three to four years. Other public health news is on social media, foodborne bacteria, and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/blood-tests-may-give-patients-a-clock-for-alzheimers-disease-study-finds/ Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-56/ Viewpoints: ICE Is Causing A Health Crisis; FDA’s Reversal On Moderna Vaccine Can’t Undo The Damage https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-ice-is-causing-a-health-crisis-fdas-reversal-on-moderna-vaccine-cant-undo-the-damage/