Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Mar 5 2026 9:00 AM ++++++ + +

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Mar 5 2026 9:00 AM At Hearing, House GOP Scolds Minn. Governor Over Medicaid Fraud Scandal Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said the government has flooded his state with ICE agents "under the guise of combating fraud." Plus: The New York Times reviewed nearly 200 lawsuits challenging the president's power to withhold funding, including from hospitals that don’t alter their services and nonprofits that don’t embrace his gender views. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/at-hearing-house-gop-scolds-minn-governor-over-medicaid-fraud-scandal/ Texas ICE Facility That's On Lockdown For Measles Has Contract Reassessed The Department of Homeland Security has faced growing scrutiny over the living conditions at Camp East Montana, a detention center at Fort Bliss in El Paso. Plus: A Haitian man has died at an Arizona detention center after suffering an untreated toothache, his brother says. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/texas-ice-facility-thats-on-lockdown-for-measles-has-contract-reassessed/ A Month After Launch, TrumpRx Faces Lack Of Metrics, Drug Availability STAT reports that administration officials have declined to offer details on the number of new drugs expected to be added, when that might happen, or how many people have used the site. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/a-month-after-launch-trumprx-faces-lack-of-metrics-drug-availability/ RFK Jr. Decides What Public Health Proof Is Within HHS Purview, DOJ Says In a lawsuit challenging the legality of changes made to the country's vaccine policy, the government contends Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may choose what evidence to consider and whom to consult, Stat reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/rfk-jr-decides-what-public-health-proof-is-within-hhs-purview-doj-says/ Study: GLP-1s May Help Fight Addiction To Smoking, Alcohol, Opioids Meanwhile, Eli Lilly has launched an Employer Contract, its direct-to-employer platform for GLP-1s. Plus, researchers find that most patients can keep the weight off with less frequent GLP-1 shots. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/study-glp-1s-may-help-fight-addiction-to-smoking-alcohol-opioids/ Missouri Lawmaker: Money Meant For Needy Sent To Anti-Abortion Centers In recent years, at least eight states have given funds, meant to help families experiencing poverty, to crisis pregnancy centers. As many as $2 of every $3 for pregnancy centers in Missouri is expected to come from the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in the 2026 fiscal year. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/missouri-lawmaker-money-meant-for-needy-sent-to-anti-abortion-centers/ Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-58/ Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs. Viewpoints: GLP-1s Not Ready To Treat Addictions; AI Could Solve Antibiotic Resistance, If The Market Allows It https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-glp-1s-not-ready-to-treat-addictions-ai-could-solve-antibiotic-resistance-if-the-market-allows-it/