Alex Wayne
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Alex Wayne
@aawayne.bsky.social
Executive Editor, KFF Health News
Read and republish everything we do for $0: https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us/
Florida man | Never cruise
*I do not respond to most PR pitches*
AlexW@kff.org
In June, after Jenna Norton put her name on public criticism of the NIH's direction under President Trump, Jay Bhattacharya told us: "Respectful dissent in science is productive."

kffhealthnews.org/news/article...

Now she says she's been placed on leave.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
‘We Dissent’: NIH Workers Protest Trump Policies That ‘Harm the Health of Americans’ - KFF Health News
A letter signed by more than 300 National Institutes of Health workers — some still working, others who were fired this year — is an extraordinary public rebuke of actions taken under Director Jay Bha...
kffhealthnews.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
The Trump administration said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over a building in Chicago. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up those claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arrested in the raid are telling their stories.
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
JD Vance in 2021: "What possible interest would the US government have in keeping Epstein’s clients secret? Oh…"
November 12, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
There's an exclusive, closed-to-media MAHA summit tomorrow. Here's the full agenda I was leaked

In attendance will be JD Vance, RFK Jr, Bhattacharya, Makary, actor Russell Brand (who is facing rape and sexual assault charges), and dozens of other MAHA influencers and people in Trump's orbit
November 11, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
WSJ: Fannie Mae watchdogs who were removed from their jobs had been probing if Trump appointee Bill Pulte had improperly obtained mortgage records of key Democratic officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James.

www.wsj.com/finance/regu...
November 11, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
A felon freed by Trump in his first term is sentenced again, this time to 27 months after a judge found that he sexually assaulted a nanny, swung an IV pole at a nurse and dodged tolls in his Lamborghini and Ferrari. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/n...
Felon Freed by Trump Is Sentenced Again, This Time to 27 Months
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.

Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."

Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Maine described its HIV outbreak as a significant health concern, but the government shutdown has kept a CDC team from coming to the state's aid.
Maine sought federal help amid its largest HIV outbreak in state history. It’s still waiting. - The Boston Globe
Maine described its HIV outbreak as a significant health concern, but the shutdown has kept a CDC team from coming to the state's aid.
trib.al
November 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
NEWS: Across the country, public health services have been scaled back thanks to spending cuts driven by Russell Vought's Office of Management and Budget. A detailed look at how Trump's "reaper" wields his scythe, by @amymaxmen.bsky.social

kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
🔔 When Trump posted a video of budget director Russell Vought as the grim reaper, public health workers recognized a kernel of truth.

My latest piece @kffhealthnews.org couldn't be more important. Art by the incredible @oonazenda.bsky.social

🧵
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Nope
November 7, 2025 at 1:20 AM
NEWS: The State Department sent a cable to visa officers today directing them to consider common health conditions -- including obesity, diabetes and heart disease -- when considering visa applications from would-be immigrants.

Via @kffhealthnews.org

kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Immigrants With Health Conditions May Be Denied Visas Under New Trump Administration Guidance - KFF Health News
The Trump administration has directed visa officers to consider common health ailments, including obesity and diabetes, when would-be immigrants seek visas to enter the U.S.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
November 6, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Alex Bruesewitz, an adviser to US President Donald Trump, told leaders of the far-right Alternative for Germany — classified as an extremist party by German authorities — that he sees them as “bold visionaries” shaping the country’s future.
Trump adviser to Germany’s AfD: ‘We are in this together’
MAGA social media guru Alex Bruesewitz visited Berlin to make common cause with the far-right Alternative for Germany at a time when the party is seeking allies in the U.S.
www.politico.eu
November 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Trump is set to announce deal Thursday to lower price of Lilly, Novo obesity drugs for some Medicare beneficiaries.

Part of "most favored nation" pricing push — with potential for public health impact.

(On a separate note: Trump calls these drugs "the fat pill" and has questioned if they work.)
White House nears deal to lower obesity drug prices for Medicare coverage
The price of Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk drugs could be lowered to $149 per month in some cases.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Big day at U.S. District Court in D.C. where Sean Dunn, the D.C. Sandwich Guy, is on trial for misdemeanor assault of a federal officer.

Border Patrol agent Gregory Lairmore is on the stand narrating surveillance video of the sammie toss.

'Now he’s struck me with the sandwich,' Lairmore says.
November 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
JUST IN: Judge Currie orders DOJ to submit a more compete transcript of the Comey grand jury proceedings, noting that the transcript she was provided — of the lone witness — does not include Lindsey Halligan's remarks or presentation.

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 4, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
🧵Is opioid settlement $ living up to its promise? @kffhealthnews.org @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social & @shatterproofhq.bsky.social built a database showing 10,500+ ways it was spent—or not—last year, from treatment & housing to police drones & a drug awareness magician kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
From Narcan to Gun Silencers, Opioid Settlement Cash Pays Law Enforcement Tabs - KFF Health News
Local governments have received hundreds of millions of dollars from the opioid settlements to support addiction treatment, recovery, and prevention efforts. Their spending decisions in 2024 were some...
kffhealthnews.org
November 3, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Refugees who have fled persecution will now lose federal dollars that have helped them stabilize their lives in the U.S. “It doesn’t get much more basic than food,” one advocate says. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Refugees Will Be Among the First To Lose Food Stamps Under Federal Changes - KFF Health News
Under the budget law that Republicans call the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, food assistance for refugees will be sliced. The change is sowing fear, uncertainty, and a struggle for survival — a sign of ...
kffhealthnews.org
October 30, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
A growing list of senior Trump political appointees—at least 6 by our count—now live in military housing, where they are shielded not just from potential violence but also from protest, @michaelscherer.bsky.social Missy Ryan @ashleyrparker.bsky.social report. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Top Trump Officials Are Moving Onto Military Bases
Stephen Miller, Marco Rubio, Kristi Noem, and others have taken over homes that until recently housed senior officers.
www.theatlantic.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
Breaking on MSNBC:

Two federal prosecutors have been placed on leave at the direction of the White House after filing a sentencing memo seeking 27 months in prison for a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter who brought illegal guns and ammunition to President Obama's house in 2023.
October 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Reposted by Alex Wayne
BREAKING: 25 states sue Trump admin over withholding of SNAP (Food Stamp) funds amid government shutdown. Doc: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... Earlier via @meredithllee: www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
#1 in COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS v. United States Department of Agriculture (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-13165) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT against Russell Vought, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, United States Department of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-113243...
storage.courtlistener.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:06 PM