The Week in Brief: Friday, April 25, 2025
Moms in Crisis, Jobs Lost: The Human Cost of Trump’s Addiction Funding Cuts
Aneri Pattani
In many cases, the money flowed to addiction recovery programs that help rebuild lives by driving people to medical appointments and court hearings, crafting résumés and training them for new jobs, finding them housing, and helping them build social connections unrelated to drugs.
Why Cameras Are Popping Up in Eldercare Facilities
Paula Span
Roughly 20 states now have laws permitting families to place cameras in the rooms of loved ones. Facility operators are often opposed.
What ‘Fertilization President’ Trump Can Learn From State Efforts To Expand IVF Access
Sarah Kwon
State-level efforts to regulate fertility coverage reveal the gauntlet of budgetary and political hurdles such initiatives face — obstacles that have led to millions of people being left out even when mandates become law.
Fate of Black Maternal Health Programs Is Unclear Amid Federal Cuts
Ronnie Cohen
In California, Black women are at least three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. Santa Clara County initiatives aimed at reducing racial disparities work but depend on federal dollars — money that might not flow amid budget cuts and a push to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Measles Misinformation Is on the Rise — And Americans Are Hearing It, Survey Finds
Arthur Allen
Attitudes about a debunked link between measles vaccines and autism haven’t budged that much. But there’s a sharp partisan divide over whether the vaccine is safe.
A Chicago Hospital Bows to Federal Pressure on Trans Care for Teens
Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ Chicago
In the wake of an executive order by President Donald Trump opposing gender-affirming surgeries for minors, hospitals are pausing procedures — even those already scheduled. Families fear the eventual loss of all gender-affirming care for their transgender kids.
Medi-Cal Under Threat: Who’s Covered and What Could Be Cut?
Don Thompson
Federal law requires states to offer health insurance to many people with low incomes or disabilities. But some states, including California, are far more generous than what’s required. Budget pressures may force lawmakers to cut benefits that have led to a historic low in the uninsured rate.
California Halts Medical Parole, Sends Several Critically Ill Patients Back to Prison
Don Thompson
California has unilaterally halted a court-ordered medical parole program. Instead, it’s sending its most incapacitated prisoners back to state lockups or releasing them early. The change is drawing protests from attorneys representing prisoners and the author of the medical parole law, who argue prisoners’ health may be compromised.
Can Congress Reconcile Trump’s Wishes With Medicaid’s Needs?
When Congress returns next week, it will be writing a budget reconciliation bill that’s expected to cut taxes but also make deep cuts to Medicaid. But at least some Republicans are concerned about cutting a program that aids so many of their constituents. Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss this story and more. Also, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Rae Ellen Bichell about her story on how care for transgender minors is changing in Colorado.
Winning a Two-Year Fight Over a Bogus Bill
Dan Weissmann
How one “Arm and a Leg” listener stayed encouraged during a two-year fight over a bill she didn’t owe.