Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Americans' Angst Over Healthcare Costs Grows, With Almost Half Saying They Can't Afford It, Survey Finds
AP: Poll: Only About Half Of Americans Say They Can Afford Quality Healthcare
Twannetta Weaver felt like she made the responsible choice when she enrolled in a high-deductible health insurance plan through her employer, an option that avoided high premiums and allowed her to save for retirement. Then, in 2025, she slipped a disk in her back, requiring medication and physical therapy. Suddenly, the medical bills were so overwhelming that Weaver, an adult learner working toward a leadership degree on the side, had to delay graduation by a year. (Swenson and Thomson-Deveaux, 6/18)
ProPublica: More Than 770,000 Children Are No Longer Receiving SNAP Benefits
As a House committee debated President Donald Trump’s signature domestic policy bill last year, Republican backers repeatedly emphasized that its changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, wouldn’t affect vulnerable people. SNAP reforms would “restore integrity” to the program and ensure it works for the “most vulnerable among us, including children,” said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican and chair of the House Agriculture Committee. (Santa Cruz, 6/17)
Modern Healthcare: How CMS’ Oversight Rule Could Affect Accrediting Organizations
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ final rule bolstering oversight of accreditors came as no surprise, and some organizations already have been making changes to their processes. CMS said Friday it finalized a rule aimed at enhancing accountability and quality among nine accrediting organizations that work with providers and suppliers participating in Medicare and Medicaid. CMS proposed the rule in 2024 due to concerns about inaccurate surveys, conflicts of interest and other issues. (Hudson, 6/17)
Modern Healthcare: Dems Favor ACA Subsidies Over Medicare For All In 2026 Elections
With affordability concerns driving the midterm elections, there is no bigger affordability hack politicians could promise than universal healthcare — but such grand pledges don’t appear to be on the menu for Democrats should they win control of Congress. Instead, most Democrats and Democratic leaders in Washington are setting expectations at easing the more than $1 trillion in healthcare cuts from President Donald Trump’s tax law and restoring enhanced tax credits for people buying coverage on the Affordable Care Act of 2010’s health insurance exchanges. (McAuliff, 6/17)
In Medicaid developments —
Modern Healthcare: CalOptima, UPMC Health Plan Adapt To Medicaid Work Requirements
Health insurance companies that administer Medicaid benefits have been drafted into state efforts to implement work requirements next year. Medicaid managed care organizations such as CalOptima, Colorado Access and UPMC Health Plan and are devising marketing campaigns and technology strategies to support state plans to alert Medicaid policyholders about new rules limiting enrollment that take effect by Jan. 1. These insurers have their work cut out for them as they stand to lose millions of Medicaid members. (Tepper, 6/17)
Fierce Healthcare: OIG Warns About Maternal Health 'Ghost Networks' In Medicaid
A pair of new reports from the Office of Inspector General raises concerns about "ghost networks" for maternal services in Medicaid. (Minemyer, 6/17)
KFF Health News: Listen To The Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
Katheryn Houghton reads the week’s news: New rules that require millions of Americans to work to access Medicaid are stricter than many expected. Plus, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act protects many people’s jobs — but there’s a big catch. (6/18)
