Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Mar 12 2026 9:14 AM +++ +++ + +

Morning Briefing: Today's News Summaries Thursday, Mar 12 2026 9:14 AM 1 In 3 Americans Has Cut Back Daily Spending To Pay For Health Care Two new Gallup polls also found that roughly half of middle-income households reported delaying a major life event in order to afford health care costs. Meanwhile, food stamp recipients are suing the Agriculture Department over sugary drink bans. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/1-in-3-americans-has-cut-back-daily-spending-to-pay-for-health-care/ Trump Admin Aims To Move Hundreds Of Veterans Into Guardianship Under the new effort, the Justice Department would give Veterans Affairs officials authority to initiate guardianship proceedings in state courts for veterans who lack family and are “unable to make their own health care decisions,” including some veterans who are homeless or “at risk of homelessness." https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/trump-admin-aims-to-move-hundreds-of-veterans-into-guardianship/ Eye Doctor Tapped As EPA Adviser, Despite No Air Pollution Expertise For 50 years, the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee that counsels the EPA's leadership on scientific evidence about pollutants has filled the obligatory physician's seat with pulmonologists or cardiologists. Now the role will be filled by an ophthalmologist and political commentator. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/eye-doctor-tapped-as-epa-adviser-despite-no-air-pollution-expertise/ Vaccine Panel To Weigh Which Strains Should Comprise This Fall's Flu Shots The gathering of the pared-down Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee — whose members all have expertise in infectious diseases, immunology, or global health and genetics — is seen as a good sign, public health advocates say. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/vaccine-panel-to-weigh-which-strains-should-comprise-this-falls-flu-shots/ Michigan MedTech Maker Falls Victim To Suspected Iran-Linked Hackers Wednesday morning's cyberattack targeted Stryker's Microsoft programs across the globe. The company said it thinks the attack has been contained. Plus, news outlets look at how artificial intelligence is being used in the health sector. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/michigan-medtech-maker-falls-victim-to-suspected-iran-linked-hackers/ For First Time In A Decade, LA County Sees Drop In Homeless Mortality Rate The county saw a 10% decrease in the rate of homeless deaths from all causes in 2024, driven by a sharp decrease in overdose deaths. Public health officials credit the wide availability of naloxone but worry that a decrease in funding over the past year may reverse the positive trends. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/for-first-time-in-a-decade-la-county-sees-drop-in-homeless-mortality-rate/ Research Roundup: The Latest Science, Discoveries, And Breakthroughs Each week, KFF Health News compiles a selection of health policy studies and briefs. https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/research-roundup-the-latest-science-discoveries-and-breakthroughs-59/ Viewpoints: Parents Must — Gasp! — Parent Their Kids About Social Media; One Scientist’s Fight For Integrity https://kffhealthnews.org/morning-breakout/viewpoints-parents-must-gasp-parent-their-kids-about-social-media-one-scientists-fight-for-integrity/