Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rachana Pradhan @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social · 1d

Senators are demanding answers from Deloitte and other companies about errors in eligibility systems that determine who qualifies for Medicaid. The letters follow a KFF Health News investigation exposing problems that resulted in people losing health benefits. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Senators Press Deloitte, Other Contractors on Errors in Medicaid Eligibility Systems - KFF Health News

As contractors position themselves to cash in on a gush of new business managing Medicaid work requirements, a cadre of senators has launched an inquiry into the companies paid billions to build eligi...

kffhealthnews.org

1

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · 18d

🚨 "Sick to my stomach."

That's how the researcher who found a link between Tylenol and autism felt when she realized MAHA would link her analysis to vaccines.

My latest exclusive @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

‘Sick to My Stomach’: Trump Distorts Facts on Autism, Tylenol, and Vaccines, Scientists Say - KFF Health News

The White House’s autism announcement exaggerates links to Tylenol, misleads on vaccines, and sets back the field by ignoring decades of research, scientists say.

kffhealthnews.org

3 50 100

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Simone Popperl @simonepopperl.bsky.social · 22d

WOW. ACIP has decided it will NOT vote on whether to postpone the birth dose of hepatitis B at this meeting.

They are not at all aligned on why, though.

Some believe postponing to 1-month of age isn't long enough.

Meissner now pointing out the "overwhelming evidence" supporting the birth dose

2 4 11

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Alex Wayne @aawayne.bsky.social · 25d

NEWS: By vaccinating babies at birth, the U.S. nearly eradicated hepatitis-B in children.

Kennedy's vaccine advisory panel is expected this week to recommend delaying the shot, opening a window for kids to be infected.

Exclusive by @jackie-fortier.bsky.social

kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Panel Expected To Recommend Delaying Hepatitis B Shot for Children - KFF Health News

A federal vaccine panel, recently reshaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is expected to vote on delaying the hepatitis B shot for newborns. Pediatricians warn that coul...

kffhealthnews.org

63 590 1.3K

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Lauren Weber @laurenweberhp.bsky.social · Sep 8

Meet the new vaccine panel advisors RFK Jr. is considering

Two urged removal of mRNA coronavirus vaccines. One said physicians “blindly believed” in them. Another said covid isn’t “scary” noting Jesus touched lepers

W @lenasun.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

RFK Jr. considers critics of coronavirus shots to join key vaccine panel

Two urged removal of mRNA coronavirus vaccines. One said physicians “blindly believed” in them. Another said covid isn’t “scary,” noting Jesus touched lepers.

www.washingtonpost.com

12 95 130

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Rachana Pradhan @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social · Sep 5

We previously reported that the number of people receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center - known as America's research hospital - declined from February-April.

Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...

Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Continue To Decline Under Second Trump Administration

YouTube video by KFF Health News

youtube.com

2 30 57

Rachana Pradhan @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social · Sep 5

We previously reported that the number of people receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center - known as America's research hospital - declined from February-April.

Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...

Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Continue To Decline Under Second Trump Administration

YouTube video by KFF Health News

youtube.com

2 30 57

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

KFF Health News @kffhealthnews.org · Sep 5

As 40 states get ready to roll out Medicaid work requirements by 2027, the man in charge of Michigan’s former system says it would be “more honest” if Republicans just kicked people off insurance. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

He Built Michigan's Medicaid Work Requirement System. Now He's Warning Other States. - KFF Health News

Michigan’s former top health official spent a year and $30 million building a system to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients. The difficulties he encountered have him worried about 40 s...

kffhealthnews.org

2 44 95

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

allisonprang.bsky.social @allisonprang.bsky.social · Sep 3

"Kennedy wants to see the Pfizer and Moderna messenger RNA-based covid-19 vaccines pulled from the market, according to two people familiar with the planning who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak to the press," @stephaniearmour.bsky.social reports.

KFF Health News @kffhealthnews.org · Sep 3

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to fire CDC director Susan Monarez is more than an administrative shake-up. It’s part of Kennedy’s anti-vaccine, anti-science agenda, some public health experts say.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

At CDC, Worries Mount That Agency Has Taken Anti-Science Turn - KFF Health News

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s push to fire Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez is more than an administrative shake-up. It marks a major off...

kffhealthnews.org

1 6 3

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

KFF Health News @kffhealthnews.org · Aug 26

The Trump administration's cuts of public health funds to state and local health departments had vastly uneven effects depending on the political leanings of where someone lives, a new KFF Health News analysis shows. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Blue States That Sued Kept Most CDC Grants, While Red States Feel Brunt of Trump Clawbacks - KFF Health News

The Trump administration's cuts of public health funds to state and local health departments had vastly uneven effects depending on the political leanings of where someone lives, a new KFF Health News...

kffhealthnews.org

3 18 28

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Amy Maxmen, PhD @amymaxmen.bsky.social · Aug 25

🚨🧵My latest:

As measles took off in Texas, the Trump administration took actions that prevented CDC scientists from responding.

The outbreak became the biggest in 30 yrs. It’s far larger considering the outbreaks it sparked in other states & Mexico. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists. Under Trump, No One Answered. - KFF Health News

Trump officials sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists, slowing their response to the measles outbreak in West Texas. Cases surged and sparked new outbreaks across the U.S. and Mexico. Together...

kffhealthnews.org

2 260 450

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Brandy Zadrozny @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social · Aug 9

Exclusive: CDC Director Susan Monarez met with its vaccine-focused center to talk about yesterday’s shooting. I listened to a recording. Scientists and officials are shaken & pointing fingers at RFK Jr. Many said his vilification and misinfo turned them into targets. www.msnbc.com/opinion/anal...

A deadly shooting at the CDC shook its scientists. Now they want answers from RFK Jr.

CDC Director Susan Monarez convened an online all-hands meeting of the agency division that focuses on vaccines, and employees called out Kennedy’s rhetoric specifically.

www.msnbc.com

270 3.7K 10K

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · Aug 8

Federal immigration authorities detained a woman seeking medical care at the National Institutes of Health’s flagship research hospital after the patient presented a non-real ID while passing security.

Patient seeking care at NIH hospital detained by ICE

NIH officials called immigration authorities after the patient presented a non-real ID while passing security at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.

wapo.st

160 570 1.2K

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

KFF Health News @kffhealthnews.org · Aug 7

NIH documents viewed by KFF Health News show a pronounced decline in patients at the 200-bed NIH hospital from February through April, after the Trump administration began mass firings of federal workers and its broad crackdown on immigration.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Have Plummeted Under Trump, Jeopardizing Care - KFF Health News

The renowned research hospital that cares for people with rare or life-threatening diseases has been pummeled by an employee exodus and the gutting of research, both driven by the Trump administration...

kffhealthnews.org

35 46

Rachana Pradhan @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social · Aug 7

Are you a cancer patient whose care at the NIH Clinical Center has been affected by the Trump administration’s cuts? Are you a family member or caregiver of a cancer patient who has received care at the NIH? We’d like to hear about your experience.

kffhealthnews.org/cancer-patie...

Cancer Patients at NIH: Share Your Story With Us - KFF Health News

Are you a cancer patient whose care at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Maryland, or another hospital, has been affected by the Trump administration’s cuts? Are you a family member...

kffhealthnews.org

1 3

Rachana Pradhan @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social · Aug 7

Thank you so much!

1

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Megan Molteni @mmolteni.bsky.social · Aug 7

Important story from @kffhealthnews.org today about how firings and contract cuts have led to an exodus at the NIH Clinical Center, limiting how many patients can be treated.

“Every day seems to be some type of breaking point,” one NIH worker said.

1 1 1

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

CBS News @cbsnews.com · Aug 7

The renowned research hospital that cares for people with rare or life-threatening diseases has been pummeled by an employee exodus and the gutting of research, both driven by the Trump administration.

Patient numbers at NIH hospital have dropped under Trump, jeopardizing care

The renowned research hospital that cares for people with rare or life-threatening diseases has been pummeled by an employee exodus and the gutting of research, both driven by the Trump administration.

cbsn.ws

3 4

Rachana Pradhan @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social · Aug 7

The number of people receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center — which cares for patients with rare or life-threatening diseases — has tumbled under the second Trump administration. My story based on interviews w/workers and gov’t docs kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Have Plummeted Under Trump, Jeopardizing Care - KFF Health News

The renowned research hospital that cares for people with rare or life-threatening diseases has been pummeled by an employee exodus and the gutting of research, both driven by the Trump administration...

kffhealthnews.org

6 99 160

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Helen Branswell 🇨🇦 @helenbranswell.bsky.social · Aug 5

Pandemic preparedness in the US has been leveled a crippling blow with the cancellation of multiple #BARDA contracts to help develop mRNA vaccines. No other vaccine platform produces vaccine so quickly; without mRNA, Americans will have a long wait for pandemic vax. www.statnews.com/2025/08/05/m...

Health secretary RFK Jr. shuts door on U.S. investment in mRNA vaccine research

Vaccine experts and people steeped in pandemic preparedness expressed horror at the news that RFK Jr. has shut the door in U.S. investment in mRNA vaccine research.

www.statnews.com

23 290 460

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Max Kozlov @maxkozlov.bsky.social · Jul 30

The NIH can’t award ANY grants to outside researchers under new WH restriction, reports @wsj.com.

The pause came in the form of a footnote from OMB Director Vought, in a document that doles out federal funds to the NIH.

Prelude to rescissions, especially after his comments over the weekend?

Trump Administration Puts New Chokehold on Billions in Health-Research Funding

The National Institutes of Health can’t award grants to outside researchers under a new White House restriction.

www.wsj.com

4 120 160

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

WAMU 88.5 @wamu.org · Jul 23

The National Cancer Institute is being targeted by Trump administration’s downsizing. Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NCI has long been supported by bipartisan funding and plays a critical role in cancer research globally. buff.ly/ep5qfUX

The National Cancer Institute faces steep budget cuts and a staff exodus

Current and former employees report that morale has "tanked" as the administration hollows out the agency, with many scientists leaving in frustration. The cuts are already impacting basic operations…

wamu.org

1 2

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

KFF Health News @kffhealthnews.org · Jul 25

Trump pledged to “make America affordable again.” His health care moves mean that’s not going to happen with people’s medical bills.

kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Trump Voters Wanted Relief From Medical Bills. For Millions, the Bills Are About To Get Bigger. - KFF Health News

Moves by the Trump administration to pare back Medicaid, rescind medical debt rules, and loosen vaccine requirements threaten to increase medical bills for millions of Americans.

kffhealthnews.org

24 33

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Darius Tahir @dariustahir.bsky.social · Jul 15

My latest for @npr.org and @kffhealthnews.org: Researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs have one of the biggest genomic databases in the world at their fingertips.

They’re worried they won’t be able to use it if key agreements go unsigned by Trump officials: www.npr.org/sections/sho...

A million veterans gave DNA for medical research. Now the data is in limbo

Retired service members donated genetic material to a DNA database to help answer health questions for all Americans. The Trump administration is dragging its heels on agreements to analyze the data.

www.npr.org

8 11

Reposted by Rachana Pradhan

Rachana Pradhan @rachanadpradhan.bsky.social · Jul 8

"It's a crap show"

"People will die"

The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research are causing unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, which has spearheaded advances against the disease for decades. Me + @arthurallen202.bsky.social

www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/h...

World’s premier cancer institute faces crippling cuts and chaos | CNN

The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research have caused unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, the storied federal government research hub that has spearheaded ...

www.cnn.com

2 42 83