The Week in Brief: Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
Red and Blue States Alike Want To Limit AI in Insurance. Trump Wants To Limit the States.
By Darius Tahir and Lauren Sausser
A revolt is afoot in both red and blue states against the use of artificial intelligence in health insurance determinations — and against efforts led by President Donald Trump to tie states’ hands.
Listen: Why Do I Need Prior Authorization?
By Sarah Boden
When the doctor says you need a prescription or treatment, sometimes you need approval from your health insurance first. Without it, they won’t pay. Health reporter Sarah Boden joins “Life Kit” host Marielle Segarra to discuss prior authorization.
Personal Finance Guru Faces Down an Insurance Denial
By Dan Weissmann
Ron Lieber, the “Your Money” columnist for The New York Times, shares ideas about how insurance companies, doctors, and patients can better handle prior authorization denials.
When It Comes to Health Insurance, Federal Dollars Support More Than ACA Plans
By Julie Appleby
Questions of fairness came up in last year’s congressional debate about extending Obamacare’s enhanced subsidies. Critics wondered why the federal government should underwrite coverage costs for people with ACA coverage. In truth, though, almost all health insurance in the U.S. comes with some federal help.
Nevada Debuts Public Option Amid Tumultuous Federal Changes to Health Care
By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez
The state recently became the third to offer a public option health plan through its Affordable Care Act marketplace. But researchers said it’s unlikely to fill the gaps left by sweeping changes at the federal level.
Wyoming Wants To Make Its Five-Year Federal Rural Health Funding Last ‘Forever’
By Arielle Zionts
State officials believe they’ve found a way to extend the life of federal Rural Health Transformation Program money Wyoming is receiving as part of last summer’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act — by investing most of it.
Should Drug Companies Be Advertising to Consumers?
By Paula Span
Aging means “becoming a target” of the industry, one expert said. After decades of debate, politicians of all stripes are proposing bans.
Turnarounds and Shake-Ups
The twists and turns continue at the nation’s health agency, where this week’s announcements included notice that the FDA will review Moderna’s new flu vaccine after all and that a handful of top agency officials are getting new jobs. Those developments and others can be traced to a White House looking to shake things up before the midterms — and win over voters on health care. Tami Luhby of CNN, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Mary Agnes Carey to discuss these stories and more.
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Journalists Unpack Impact of ICE Arrests on Families and Caffeine’s Effect on Dementia Risk
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national or local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.