The Week in Brief: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
GOP Congressman in California Swing-District Race Defends Vote for Medicaid Cuts
By Jackie Fortiér
In a race that could help decide control of Congress, Republican U.S. Rep. David Valadao is trying to hold on to his swing-district seat. The congressman didn’t mention healthcare at a recent campaign rally in Bakersfield, but voters can't stop talking about it.
Medicaid Is Now a Campaign Issue
Republicans tried to backload Medicaid cuts in 2025’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act so they would take effect after this year’s elections, but that’s not stopping Democrats from using them to hammer their opponents. Meanwhile, the Trump administration ramps up its war on fraud. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Amanda Seitz of KFF Health News, and Liz Essley Whyte of The Wall Street Journal join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also, Rovner speaks with Ollstein about her new book, “Side Effects.”
Democrats Demand Tougher Standards for Companies Running Medicaid Systems
By Samantha Liss and Rachana Pradhan
A year after launching an inquiry into companies, including Deloitte, that receive billions in taxpayer dollars to build complex computer systems determining Medicaid eligibility, senators are urging the federal government to impose stricter rules.
Medicaid at Risk for Hundreds of Thousands of Lawfully Present Immigrants
By Andrew Jones
Hundreds of thousands of lawfully present immigrants could lose government health coverage. This change stems from healthcare cuts in a GOP budget law. KFF Health News’ Andrew Jones tells WAMU’s “Health Hub” which Medicaid enrollees are affected and shares resources for newly uninsured people in the Washington, D.C., area.
Shopping for an ACA Plan This Year? Here’s What You Need To Know
By Julie Appleby
As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance kicks off, consumers face rising premiums, additional identity checks, and fewer brokers.
Job-Based Health Plan Costs Rise, With Little Relief in Sight
By Julie Appleby
Employers saw their healthcare premiums rise 5% this year — and some passed on that burden to workers — as the cost of family coverage in job-based insurance exceeds $28,000 for family plans.
Trump Dangles Rural Health Dollars To Push States To Change Hospital Laws
By Andrew Jones
The Trump administration has tied billions in rural health funding for states partly to the policy commitments they make, including ending their certificate of need, or CON, laws governing the construction of new hospitals.
New Arrivals in the ER? Georgia Gears Up To Solve Rural Maternal Health Crisis
By Briah Lumpkins
Most of Georgia’s counties are without a labor and delivery unit. To fill the gap, the state is looking to equip emergency rooms to handle obstetric emergencies. Advocates and doctors worry, however, that the ER is being used as a stopgap.
States Are Forcing Hospitals To Offer More People Financial Aid. In Oregon, It’s Working.
By Melanie Evans, Tradeoffs
Oregon passed a law to require hospitals to proactively screen patients to see if they qualify for financial aid. Patients got immediate relief. Hospitals pushed to roll back the law following federal cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies.
Four Red Flags and One Truth Amid the Peptide Hype
By Amy Maxmen
Experimental peptides are all the rage on longevity and “optimization” podcasts, but a lot of the chatter is misleading.
As Politicians Argue About China, US Patients Find Cutting-Edge Treatment There
By Arthur Allen
The rapid emergence of the Chinese biotech industry has panicked U.S. politicians, but investors and patients caution that a clampdown on pharmaceutical collaboration could hurt everyone.
‘Go to Canada’: Trump Touted Americans’ Access to Cheaper Drugs. A New Rule Threatens It.
By Arthur Allen
The Trump administration pushed back a rule — until after the midterm elections — that would complicate Americans’ access to less expensive medication imports from Canada and other countries.
More Medications, More Risks. If You’re Worried, Start a Deprescribing Discussion.
By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio and Cara Anthony
As people take a greater number of medications across years or decades, experts say the risk for adverse drug interactions increases. One way to advocate for yourself? Keep a list of your meds handy.
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