Julie Rovner

Visit kff.org to read Julie's bio.

jrovner@kff.org
@jrovner

Three Things About the Abortion Debate That Many People Get Wrong

KFF Health News Original

The commonly repeated myths include arguments that only women who are pregnant are affected by the decision overturning Roe v. Wade, that Democratic lawmakers could have codified abortion protections before, and that Congress can easily get rid of federal laws restricting abortion.

Como se esperaba, conservadores de la Corte Suprema terminan con el derecho al aborto

KFF Health News Original

El presidente Joe Biden dijo que estaba en total desacuerdo con el fallo. “Es un día triste para la corte y para el país”, dijo. “La salud y la vida de las mujeres en esta nación ahora están en riesgo”.

Abortion Opponents Take Political Risks by Dropping Exceptions for Rape, Incest, and the Mother’s Life

KFF Health News Original

Conservative states are moving to severely restrict abortions, and many are pressing for bans that provide no exception for cases of rape or incest or even to save the life of the mother. But public opinion polls suggest those limits could cause blowback.

Sen. Orrin Hatch’s Legacy Tracks the GOP’s Evolution on Health

KFF Health News Original

The man who forged a successful working relationship with Democratic health giants, such as Sen. Edward Kennedy and Rep. Henry Waxman, fell back on his deep conservative roots as opposition grew to the Affordable Care Act and the administration of President Barack Obama.

As Red States Push Strident Abortion Bans, Other Restrictions Suddenly Look Less Extreme

KFF Health News Original

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has yet to make clear its stand on Roe v. Wade. But state lawmakers aren’t waiting to consider a variety of extreme measures: bills that would ban abortions in cases of ectopic pregnancies, allow rapists’ families to object to terminating a victim’s pregnancy, or prohibit the procedure in the case of fetal disability. Do these proposals make the less extreme restrictions seem more mainstream?

Justices Block Broad Worker Vaccine Requirement, Allow Health Worker Mandate to Proceed

KFF Health News Original

The Supreme Court temporarily blocked a federal rule requiring larger businesses to mandate employees be vaccinated or wear masks and undergo weekly testing. At the same time, however, it allowed a federal order that health care workers be vaccinated.

Supreme Court Weighs Biden’s Workplace Vaccine Requirements

KFF Health News Original

The court is considering whether to let the rules go into effect as opponents fight them in lower courts. Conservative justices pressed lawyers hard about whether the administration overstepped its authority, but liberal members of the high court questioned why the government shouldn’t be expected to move forcefully when facing a severe health crisis.

Conservative Justices Seem Poised to Overturn Roe’s Abortion Rights

KFF Health News Original

A majority of the members of the Supreme Court seemed sympathetic Wednesday during arguments to Mississippi’s assertion that the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized the procedure throughout the country, was wrongly decided.

High Court Hears Cases on Novel Texas Law, but Outcome May Not Affect Abortion Access

KFF Health News Original

The arguments before the justices did not deal directly with the state’s ban on abortions after six weeks. Instead, they centered on the unique mechanism in the law that gives state officials no role in enforcing the ban.

Texas Abortion Law Gets Speedy High-Court Hearing Monday

KFF Health News Original

The Supreme Court justices, who accepted the case only 10 days before the arguments will be made, may skirt the issue of abortion and concentrate instead on the legality of the law’s unusual tack to let private citizens enforce it.

Collins’ Skillful Piloting Helped NIH Steer Clear of Political Minefields

KFF Health News Original

Dr. Francis Collins, who announced he is stepping down as chief of the National Institutes of Health, used his communication skills and political insights to help protect the highly acclaimed federal research institutes through difficult times.

Democrats Roll the Dice on Sweeping Abortion Rights Bill — Again

KFF Health News Original

Capitol Hill lawmakers mobilize to support a bill that would write abortion protections into federal law. Unlikely to succeed, the exercise follows a tactic that proved unsuccessful in 1992.

Why Doesn’t Medicare Cover Services So Many Seniors Need?

KFF Health News Original

When the program began half a century ago, backers believed the benefits would expand over time, but politics and concerns about money have stymied most efforts. Now congressional Democrats are looking to add vision, dental and hearing care.

As Congress Wrestles With Plans to Expand Medicare, Becerra Says Any One Will Do

KFF Health News Original

In an interview for KHN’s “What the Health?” podcast, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says the administration is eager for Congress to make changes to Medicare that will provide more benefits and make more older adults eligible for the program. He also said a priority will be making permanent the enhanced premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans.