The Week in Brief: Friday, July 17, 2026
As GOP Cries Fraud, Newsom Backs Medicaid Spending on Housing and Food
By Angela Hart
Republicans say California’s use of Medicaid money for social services amounts to waste, fraud, and abuse. But even as Gov. Gavin Newsom voices concern about losing funding, he says he’s proud of the state’s holistic approach to caring for its sickest and most expensive patients.
States Start Their Medicaid Cuts
Most of the federal Medicaid cuts don’t take effect until 2027, but many states are already cutting budgets in anticipation of getting fewer health dollars from Washington. Meanwhile, Congress is back from break, but progress on legislative priorities remains slow. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sandhya Raman of Bloomberg Law join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. And as part of the “How Would You Fix It?” series, Rovner interviews Elizabeth Mitchell of the Purchaser Business Group on Health.
Insurers Hedge on Trump-Backed Pledge To Improve Denials Process
By Lauren Sausser and Renuka Rayasam
Last year, the Trump administration announced a voluntary pledge by dozens of insurers to improve prior authorization, which often requires patients to seek approval before treatments. But prior authorization remains commonplace, and there's no evidence the government is trying to hold insurers to account.
Knee Pain? Ragged Cartilage? Research Suggests Surgery’s Not the Best Answer
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
A Finnish study followed patients for 10 years after they had a popular knee surgery. For many, the pain continued or even worsened.
Lawmakers Look To Make Abortion Shield Laws Less Dependent on Who’s Governor
By Jackie Fortiér
California’s laws still leave extradition decisions related to reproductive rights and gender-affirming care to its governor. But as states with abortion bans target California physicians who prescribe abortion pills across state lines, Democrats want to lock in protections for doctors, no matter who the next governor is.
A Sales Tax on Doctor Visits and Medicine? In Missouri, Some Worry
By Bram Sable-Smith
A ballot measure to eliminate Missouri’s income tax would give the state legislature broad authority to levy new sales taxes to replace the lost revenue. Critics say that could mean adding a sales tax on medical services or prescription medicines. Those types of taxes are unusual, but not unheard of, in the U.S.
Trump’s CDC Nominee Praises Vaccines, Without Vowing Independence From Kennedy
By Rachel Spears
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Erica Schwartz, expressed support for vaccines, including covid shots, in her confirmation hearing. That contrasts with the stance of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Watch: ‘Robust’ Primary Care, Transparency Top Employers’ Reform Wish List
By Hannah Norman and Julie Rovner
KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner interviews Elizabeth Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Purchaser Business Group on Health, about systemic healthcare changes backed by large employers, which cover millions of Americans.
Listen to the Latest ‘KFF Health News Minute’
The "KFF Health News Minute" brings original healthcare and health policy reporting from our newsroom to the airwaves each week.
Journalists Discuss Raw-Milk Marketing, Extreme Heat, Opioid Settlement Spending
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Readers Share Personal Insights on Deadly Denials and Pregnancy Centers
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.