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The State of Federal Health Agencies Is Uncertain

Episode 387

March 6, 2025

The Supreme Court opined for the first time that Trump administration officials may be exceeding their authority to reshape the federal government by refusing to honor completed contracts, even as lower-court judges started blocking efforts to fire workers, freeze funding, and cancel ongoing contracts. Meanwhile, public health officials are alarmed at the Department of Health and Human Services’ public handling of Texas’ widening measles outbreak, particularly the secretary’s less-than-full endorsement of vaccines. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Stephanie Armour of KFF Health News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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A photo of the Supreme Court's exterior at sunrise.

The Supreme Court Just Limited Federal Power. Health Care Is Feeling the Shockwaves.

A Supreme Court ruling restricting federal power will likely have seismic ramifications for health policy. A flood of litigation — with plaintiffs like small businesses, drugmakers, and hospitals challenging regulations they say are too expensive or burdensome and not authorized by law — could leave the country with a patchwork of disparate health regulations.

By Stephanie Armour

July 1, 2024

Naman Shah stands at a podium in a conference-like room. There is a projector screen behind him. A slide with a blue background and large white text reads, " Los Angeles County Medical Debt Summit, April 10, 2024."

Los Angeles County Launches Ambitious Plan To Tackle Medical Debt. Hospitals Groan.

Los Angeles County, the nation’s most populous county, is spearheading a comprehensive plan to tackle a $2.9 billion medical debt crisis. Hospitals are still getting on board with the project, which is helmed by the public health department.

By Molly Castle Work

May 23, 2024

An Arm and a Leg

How a Surprise Bill Can Hitch a Ride to the Hospital

Season 10, Episode 1

Aug. 16, 2023

The No Surprises Act has helped rein in out-of-network medical bills, but ground ambulances are a costly exception. Hear why this service can still hit patients with big bills and what to do if you get one.

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What the Health? From KFF Health News

Newly Minted Doctors Are Avoiding Abortion Ban States

Episode 346

May 9, 2024

For the second year in a row, medical school graduates across specialties are shying away from applying for residency training in states with abortion bans or significant restrictions, according to a new study. Meanwhile, Medicare’s trustees report that the program will be able to pay its bills longer than expected — which could discourage Congress from acting to address the program’s long-term financial woes. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins University schools of nursing and public health and Politico Magazine, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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What the Health? From KFF Health News

The Supreme Court vs. the Bureaucracy

Episode 330

Jan. 18, 2024

The Supreme Court this week heard oral arguments in a case that could radically alter the way federal agencies — including the Department of Health and Human Services — administer laws passed by Congress. A decision in the case is expected this spring or summer. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is struggling over whether to ban menthol cigarettes — a move that could improve public health but also alienate Black voters, the biggest menthol users. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, and Rachel Cohrs of Stat join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Darius Tahir, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature about a lengthy fight over a bill for a quick telehealth visit.

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An exterior photograph of the UF Health emergency and urgent care facility in Jacksonville, Florida.

Urgent Care or ER? With ‘One-Stop Shop,’ Hospitals Offer Both Under Same Roof

Hospitals in several states are partnering with a private equity-backed company to offer combined emergency and urgent care in a single building. But patients may not realize prices vary between the two services — often by a lot.

By Phil Galewitz

Aug. 2, 2024

A photo of a man sitting at a desk indoors.

Bill of the Month

It’s Called an Urgent Care Emergency Center — But Which Is It?

Suffering stomach pain, a Dallas man visited his local urgent care clinic — or so he thought, until he got a bill 10 times what he’d expected.

By Renuka Rayasam

June 24, 2024

A photo of Governor Gavin Newsom during a press conference taken from the side. On the wall behind him is California's state seal.

California Expands Paid Sick Days and Boosts Health Worker Wages

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation expanding paid sick leave to five days, extending bereavement leave to miscarriages and failed adoptions, and approving an eventual $25-an-hour health care minimum wage. Still, in a possible sign of national ambitions, the Democrat vetoed free condoms in schools and refused to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms.

By Don Thompson

Oct. 25, 2023

A photo of Mary Lou Retton posing for a photo outside of SiriusXM's studios.

Mary Lou Retton’s Explanation of Health Insurance Takes Some Somersaults

The gold-medal gymnast’s explanation of why she remained uninsured has health policy experts doing mental gymnastics — because it makes little sense.

By Julie Appleby

Jan. 12, 2024

A senior man holds a letter from a Medicare provider. He is seated a table wearing glasses and a shirt and vest

Your Doctor or Your Insurer? Little-Known Rules May Ease the Choice in Medicare Advantage

Disputes between hospitals and Medicare Advantage plans are leading to entire hospital systems suddenly leaving insurance networks. Patients are left stuck in the middle, choosing between their doctors and their insurance plan. There’s a way out.

By Susan Jaffe

March 29, 2024

A photo of a woman and her husband sitting at home.

Bill Of The Month

Expectant Mom Needed $15,000 Overnight to Save Her Twins

Doctors rushed a pregnant woman to a surgeon who charged thousands upfront just to see her. The case reveals a gap in medical billing protections for those with rare, specialized conditions.

By Renuka Rayasam

April 27, 2023

A photo shows Brenna Kearney sitting at home as her daughter, Joey, plays.

Bill Of The Month

A Baby Spent 36 Days in an In-Network NICU. Why Did the Hospital Next Door Send a Bill?

A baby spent more than a month in a Chicago NICU. A big bill revealed she was treated by out-of-network doctors from the children’s hospital next door. Her parents were charged despite a state law protecting patients from such out-of-network billing — and sent to collections when they didn’t pay up.

By Harris Meyer

Jan. 30, 2023

Three ambulances are lined up outside of an emergency room of a children's hospital in Orange, CA.

Asking Never Hurts

New California Law Offers Fresh Protection From Steep Ambulance Bills

The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, prohibits out-of-network ground ambulance operators from billing patients more than they would pay for in-network rides. It also caps how much the uninsured must pay.

By Bernard J. Wolfson

Nov. 7, 2023

A photo of a laptop screen on GoFundMe's medical fundraising webpage. Text on the screen reads, "Get help with medical fundraising."

Perspective

GoFundMe Has Become a Health Care Utility

Resorting to crowdfunding to pay medical bills has become so routine, in some cases health professionals recommend it.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Feb. 12, 2024

A photo of a woman sitting for a portrait outside.

Lose Weight, Gain Huge Debt: NY Provider Has Sued More Than 300 Patients Who Had Bariatric Surgery

The private equity-backed practice has been known to demand more than $100,000 in charges or penalties. One patient is fighting back.

By Fred Schulte

April 20, 2023

A photo of a father handing a popsicle to his young son inside an apartment.

Diagnosis: Debt

A Father Dreamed of a Home for His Family. Medical Debt Nearly Pushed Them Onto the Streets.

As cities like Denver struggle to make homes more affordable, medical debt keeps housing out of reach for millions of Americans.

By Noam N. Levey

Sept. 11, 2023

Medical documents on a clipboard are resting on a table or desk with a stethoscope and pen in sunlight.

Tiny, Rural Hospitals Feel the Pinch as Medicare Advantage Plans Grow

More than half of seniors are enrolled in private Medicare Advantage plans instead of traditional Medicare. Rural enrollment has increased fourfold and many small-town hospitals say that threatens their viability.

By Sarah Jane Tribble

Oct. 23, 2023

An unrecognizable mental health professional takes notes while sitting across from a patient.

Navigating Aging

Medicare Expands the Roster of Available Mental Health Professionals

Medicare is expanding access to mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists come Jan. 1. But the belief that seniors who suffer from mental health problems should just grin and bear it remains a troubling barrier to care.

By Judith Graham

Nov. 3, 2023

A photo of a woman handing over an insurance card.

The Big Squeeze: More Enrollees and Smaller Networks Plague Some ACA Plans

Despite record enrollment in health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, some consumers who bought coverage and agents who helped them do so have had a tough start to the new year: Many say it’s hard to find an in-network doctor or hospital.

By Julie Appleby

April 6, 2023

Trump 2.0

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