Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Friday, Mar 20 2026 UPDATED 9:17 AM ++++++ + +

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Friday, Mar 20 2026 UPDATED 9:17 AM 9% Of ACA Marketplace Enrollees Drop Coverage, Cite Rising Health Care Costs In a KFF poll, 80% of respondents said that all health care costs are higher than last year, and 55% said they will have to reduce spending on food and basic household expenses to afford care. Meanwhile, 9% have had to drop coverage altogether and are now uninsured. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/9-of-aca-marketplace-enrollees-drop-coverage-cite-rising-health-care-costs/ RFK Jr. Improperly Reshaped US Policy On Trans Health Care, Judge Rules The judge agreed with states that the government didn't follow long-standing procedures when it altered policy, noting, “The notion that ‘I will go forward and issue a declaration and see if we can get away with it’ is not a principle of governance.” Plus, the uncertainty of ACIP. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/rfk-jr-improperly-reshaped-us-policy-on-trans-health-care-judge-rules/ Georgia Woman, Suspected Of Taking Abortion Pill, Is Charged With Murder Georgia bans abortion after embryonic cardiac activity can be detected, usually about six weeks into a pregnancy. Medical records estimated the woman had been pregnant for 22 to 24 weeks, AP reported. Plus: Mississippi and Ohio lawmakers weigh abortion restrictions; Wyoming and Massachusetts note patient counts at clinics; and more. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/georgia-woman-suspected-of-taking-abortion-pill-is-charged-with-murder/ Fluoride Bans Will Increase Cavities In Kids, Medicaid Costs By Millions: Study The data analysis by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health shows that a significant increase in kids' cavities could raise Medicaid costs by over $40 million within three years. Florida banned community water fluoridation last year and is seeing an additional 52,131 children needing dental care. Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma are all working on legislation to ban it or make it optional. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/fluoride-bans-will-increase-cavities-in-kids-medicaid-costs-by-millions-study/ Using A Weight Loss Drug? Get Ready For A Wave Of New Options About 10 weeks after the FDA approved a groundbreaking weight loss pill, federal regulators are now reviewing a second pill, CNN says. Meanwhile, the FDA says yes to a higher-dose Wegovy shot; results from Eli Lilly's newest medication show it reportedly helped diabetic patients lose more weight than any drug on the market; and Ozempic and Wegovy are going generic in Canada, India, and China. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/using-a-weight-loss-drug-get-ready-for-a-wave-of-new-options/ Type 1 Diabetes Tied To Higher Dementia Risk As Patients Live Longer Plus: A study found that higher meat intake was tied to better cognitive outcomes in people with a certain genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease, MedPage Today reported. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/type-1-diabetes-tied-to-higher-dementia-risk-as-patients-live-longer/ Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/longer-looks-interesting-reads-you-might-have-missed-256/ Each week, KFF Health News finds longer stories for you to enjoy. Today's selections are on ICE detention, pacemakers, Candy Land, and more. Viewpoints: IUD Insertion Doesn’t Have To Be Painful; Loophole In No Surprises Act Is Being Exploited https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-iud-insertion-doesnt-have-to-be-painful-loophole-in-no-surprises-act-is-being-exploited/