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What About the State of Health?

Episode 435

Feb. 26, 2026

Health care got barely a mention in President Trump’s State of the Union address. Ahead of the midterms, the Trump administration has presented few concrete plans to address what Americans say is the biggest problem with health care: its skyrocketing costs. Meanwhile, Trump’s pick for surgeon general, Casey Means, got her long-delayed nomination hearing in the Senate, where she faced skeptical questions from Democrats and Republicans alike. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more.

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A stack of 100-dollar-bills and a stethoscope rest on top of a California resident tax sheet.

California’s Billionaire Tax Promises Healthcare Relief. The Fine Print Is Murkier.

An initiative on the California ballot would levy the nation’s first wealth tax on billionaires. Supporters say the proceeds would help offset President Donald Trump’s sweeping healthcare cuts. But critics argue that the temporary infusion of cash is a giveaway to politicians.

By Jackie Fortiér

Oct. 14, 2026

A photo of Gavin Newsom speaking before an audience.

Newsom’s Pitch as He Seeks To Pare Down Immigrant Health Care: ‘We Have To Adjust’

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that he’s proud his state expanded health care to all low-income residents regardless of immigration status but that tough budget times call for some adjustments. The Democrat’s new budget proposes scaling back benefits to adults living in the country illegally, as well as charging them a $100 monthly premium.

By Christine Mai-Duc and Vanessa G. Sánchez

May 15, 2025

The Drugs and Devices Have Been on the Market for Years. But FDA-Ordered Studies Still Aren’t Done.

To get drugs and devices out faster, the FDA lets companies conduct studies of safety or efficacy after the products are approved. In many cases, such “postmarket” studies are behind schedule or overdue, records show.

By David Hilzenrath

Sept. 18, 2026

Wooden crosses adorned with flowers and other colorful objects of affection surround a small row of graves.

Efforts To Understand the Nation’s Drugged Driving Problem Stall Under Trump

The data behind alcohol-related traffic deaths is well studied. Less understood is the toll of vehicle deaths involving drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. Attempts to fix that have been stymied by federal budget and staffing cuts.

By Jace DiCola

May 19, 2026

A photo of a man in a suit wearing a KN-95 mask at an official event.

He Built Michigan’s Medicaid Work Requirement System. Now He’s Warning Other States.

Michigan’s former top health official spent a year and $30 million building a system to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients. The difficulties he encountered have him worried about 40 states and Washington, D.C., having to launch such systems by 2027.

By Kate Wells, Michigan Public

Sept. 5, 2025

A photo of a laptop screen with Facebook Ad Library open. It shows three ads by Medicare Advantage Majority.

Medicare Advantage ‘Dark Money’ Group Attempts To Win Higher Payments for Insurance Companies

Medicare Advantage insurers say a proposal by the Trump administration to keep their payments nearly flat next year may lead to service cuts that harm seniors struggling to afford health care. A decision is due by early next month.

By Fred Schulte, Maia Rosenfeld, and David Hilzenrath

March 13, 2026

What the Health? From KFF Health News

RFK Jr.’s Very Bad Week

Episode 437

March 12, 2026

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had another tough week. In addition to Kennedy having rotator cuff surgery, the nomination of his ally to become surgeon general is teetering, the controversial head of the FDA's vaccine center is resigning next month, and a new survey shows Americans trust government health officials less than they do former Biden official Anthony Fauci. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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A photo of Kathy Hochul speaking at a podium with the USA and New York flags behind her.

In New York, Providers Must Put Patient Costs on the Table

The governor’s fiscal year 2026 budget revises a law designed to limit unexpected bills that can put people at risk for unfair medical billing practices and reduce medical debt. Consumer groups say it doesn’t go far enough.

By Michelle Andrews

March 20, 2025

As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists. Under Trump, No One Answered.

Trump officials sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists, slowing their response to the measles outbreak in West Texas. Cases surged and sparked new outbreaks across the U.S. and Mexico. Together, these linked outbreaks have sickened more than 4,500 and killed at least 16 in the U.S. and Mexico.

By Amy Maxmen

Aug. 25, 2025

A photo of a woman sitting on a hospital bed with her legs off to the side. She smiles, facing the camera.

Trump Won’t Force Medicaid To Cover GLP-1s for Obesity. A Few States Are Doing It Anyway.

Late last year, South Carolina Medicaid approved a class of medications known as GLP-1s to treat obesity, placing it among the few state programs covering these effective but expensive drugs. But access remains limited, even for patients covered by Medicaid, because of stringent prerequisites that must be satisfied before starting the drug.

By Lauren Sausser

May 21, 2025

Aerial view of buildings in a city with foothills and mountains in the background

Priced Out

Nevada Debuts Public Option Amid Tumultuous Federal Changes to Health Care

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.

By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez

Feb. 19, 2026

A photo of a man pouring pills into his hand.

Medicare Drug Plans Are Getting Better Next Year. Some Will Also Cost More.

Every year, Medicare officials encourage beneficiaries to shop around for their drug coverage. Few take the time. This year, it might be more important than ever.

By Susan Jaffe

Oct. 21, 2024

An Affordable Care Act application and enrollment help sign outside of a building.

Trump Health Care Proposal Billed as Consumer Protection but Adds Enrollment Hoops

The proposal also would reverse a Biden administration policy that allowed “Dreamers” — immigrants in the country illegally who were brought here as children — from qualifying for subsidized ACA coverage.

By Julie Appleby

March 10, 2025

A photo of a clinical researcher in a laboratory working on a tablet.

You Want To Join a Clinical Trial. Here’s What To Know About the Hurdles.

The Department of Health and Human Services has launched an effort to streamline clinical research, and legislation is pending in Congress. But patients and providers face participation challenges.

By Michelle Andrews

Aug. 19, 2026

A close-up image of a postpartum woman in a blue dress with flowers. Her arm in the foreground shows a blue wristband that reads, "I gave birth."

Hospitals Say They Found a Tool To Help Reduce Childbirth Risks: Wristbands

North Carolina and other states have embraced “I Gave Birth” wristbands as a way to encourage women to seek help when they have postpartum complications. They’re gaining steam as the Trump administration’s cuts to Medicaid threaten postpartum care.

By Andrew Jones

Aug. 12, 2026

Bill Of The Month

Watch: Woman Hit With $28K Bill For A Throat Swab

A routine doctor's visit for a sore throat brought more than $28,000 in charges for one New York City woman in our latest "Bill of the Month" installment.

Jan. 2, 2020

An Arm and a Leg

A Listener Fighting the Good Fight

Season 12, Episode 10

Jan. 7, 2025

A medical resident who listens to “An Arm and a Leg” is pushing for change with the American Medical Association and at the hospital where he works.

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A photo of President Donald Trump, Mehmet Oz — holding up a cell phone — and Amy Gleason seated at an event in the White House.

Data Grab

AI, Tech Leaders Are Lobbying Trump Health Officials in a Government-Run Chat Room

A Slack workspace managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has served as an extraordinary war room for AI industry insiders and Trump administration officials to launch a rapid campaign aimed at persuading Americans to manage their healthcare and medical records on apps.

By Amanda Seitz, Maia Rosenfeld, and Darius Tahir

Oct. 9, 2026

A photo of Derek Tran facing to the side.

Democratic Hopefuls Fault GOP Incumbents for Anti-Abortion Records in Congress

Democratic congressional hopefuls in California are highlighting the anti-abortion records of vulnerable Republican incumbents, many of whom have moderated their stances ahead of the election. With control of the U.S. House at stake, Democrats hope to convince voters that their candidates will do more to protect women’s health.

By Molly Castle Work

Sept. 27, 2024

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