Phil Galewitz

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pgalewitz@kff.org
@philgalewitz

The Trump Medicaid Record: Big Goals, Yet Few Successes

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration sought to shrink the federal-state health program for low-income Americans and give states more flexibility. But Democrats and the courts thwarted most of those efforts.

Florida Fails to Attract Bidders for Canada Drug Importation Program

KFF Health News Original

No private firms bid on the $30 million contract to set up and operate the state’s plan to bring in cheaper drugs. The setback is likely to delay by at least several months Florida’s effort to become the first state to import drugs under new federal regulations.

Trump Approves Final Plan to Import Drugs From Canada ‘for a Fraction of the Price’

KFF Health News Original

The announcement clears the way for Florida and other states to implement a program bringing medications across the border to save money. The effort is strongly opposed by drugmakers and the Canadian government.

Trump-Biden Race Could Hinge on How Florida’s Pinellas County Swings

KFF Health News Original

Few places loom as large in the race for the White House as here in Pinellas County, the largest swing county in the ultimate swing state. And polls show that many people will have the pandemic and its public health and economic consequences on their minds when they cast their votes.

Election Gift for Florida? Trump Poised to Approve Drug Imports From Canada

KFF Health News Original

The Trump administration is primed to approve a plan designed to help lower costs of some prescription drugs by allowing states to import them from Canada. The announcement could come before Election Day, and Florida appears to be in line to go first.

‘Pennie’-Pinching States Take Over Obamacare Exchanges From Feds

KFF Health News Original

Pennsylvania and New Jersey are leaving the federal marketplace this fall to save money and will start their own insurance exchanges. Kentucky, New Mexico, Virginia and Maine are looking to join them in 2021 or beyond.

As COVID Testing Soars, Wait Times For Results Jump To A Week — Or More

KFF Health News Original

The delays can be excruciating, with some extreme cases running more than 20 days. People getting tested at urgent care centers, community health centers, pharmacies and state-run drive-thru or walk-up sites are often waiting a week or more to find out if they tested positive for the coronavirus.

Shingles Vaccination Rate Soars But Leaves Many Behind

KFF Health News Original

A federal study finds 35% of people 60 and older were vaccinated for shingles by 2018, up from 7% in 2008, but low-income people and those who are Black or Hispanic are far less likely to get vaccinated.

COVID Pandemic Jeopardizes Vote On Oklahoma Medicaid Expansion

KFF Health News Original

On June 30, Oklahomans can vote on expanding the Medicaid program there. But supporters worry that fear of the coronavirus could diminish turnout or voters could be confused by Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent change of heart: He now supports Medicaid expansion but not the ballot initiative.