Legislation Archives - Page 7 of 39

New Year, New Congress, New Health Agenda

Episode 379

Jan. 9, 2025

Health is unlikely to be a top priority for the new GOP-led 119th Congress and President-elect Donald Trump. But it’s likely to play a key supporting role, with an abortion bill already scheduled for debate in the Senate. Meanwhile, it’s unclear when and how the new Congress will deal with the bipartisan bills jettisoned from the previous Congress’ year-end omnibus measure — including a major deal to rein in the power of pharmacy benefit managers. In this “catch up on all the news you missed” episode, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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Indiana State Senator Moves To Scrap Hospital Monopoly Law He Helped Create

After rival hospitals in Terre Haute scuttled plans to merge, a state senator has introduced a bill to forbid similar mergers by repealing a state law he helped write.

By Samantha Liss

Jan. 8, 2025

A photo of new Montana state senators being sworn in.

Medicaid Expansion Debate Will Affect Other Health Policy Issues Before Montana Legislature

Legislative leaders say the decision whether to renew Montana’s Medicaid expansion program this year will loom over behavioral health spending and hospital regulation, among other topics.

By Mike Dennison and Sue O'Connell

Jan. 8, 2025

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 collage of eight photographs from Bill of the Month articles.

‘Bill of the Month’: The Series That Dissects and Slashes Medical Bills

Since 2018, readers and listeners sent KFF Health News-NPR’s “Bill of the Month” thousands of questionable bills. Our crowdsourced investigation paved the way for landmark legislation and highlighted cost-saving strategies for all patients.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Dec. 20, 2024

A photo illustration showing a stethoscope and hundred dollar bills coming from behind the U.S. capitol building.

Employers Press Congress To Cement Health Price Transparency Before Trump’s Return

Donald Trump’s first administration advanced rules forcing hospitals and insurers to reveal prices for medical services. Employers don’t want to risk backtracking during Trump’s second administration.

By Julie Appleby

Dec. 20, 2024

A photo of rifles for sale at a gun shop.

New Colorado Gun Law Aims To Shore Up Victim Services

A new tax on guns and ammunition in Colorado is set to take effect in the spring. Voters approved the tax, with most of the proceeds going to support services for crime victims and other social programs.

By Rae Ellen Bichell

Dec. 18, 2024

Former Montana Health Staffer Rebukes Oversight Rules as a Hospital ‘Wish List’

The push-pull in Montana reflects a national tension as states try to decide what counts as fair checks on tax-exempt hospitals and industry players weigh in. The debate centers on whether nonprofit hospitals do enough good to earn their charitable status.

By Katheryn Houghton

Dec. 11, 2024

A photo of a map with the nine states that would undo Medicaid expansion if federal funding is cut.

9 States Poised To End Coverage for Millions if Trump Cuts Medicaid Funding

About 3.7 million people are at immediate risk of losing health coverage should the federal government cut funding for Medicaid expansions, as some allies of President-elect Donald Trump have proposed. Coverage could be at risk in the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid.

By Phil Galewitz

Dec. 4, 2024

A man in a green shirt and glasses speaks into a microphone in front of an altar of flowers and photos

Immigration Detention Center Contractor Sues Over California Health Inspections

A private immigration detention center contractor has sued to block a California law allowing local public health officials to inspect facilities in response to allegations of medical neglect or unsanitary conditions.

By Vanessa G. Sánchez

Nov. 26, 2024

A photo of two voters — a man in the back and a woman with a baby carrier in the front.

Many Voters Backed Abortion Rights and Donald Trump, a Challenge for Democrats

Despite widespread support for protecting abortion rights, voters said the cost of gas, housing, food, and health care was more important to their choice for president.

By Sarah Varney

Nov. 8, 2024

A photo of Rob Bonta gesturing with his hands during an interview.

Prepared for Trump’s Comeback, California’s Attorney General Is Ready To Fight

Attorney General Rob Bonta, a longtime champion of reproductive rights, is ready to lead California in the fight to protect abortion under Trump’s second presidency. In a Q&A, he shares how his upbringing prepared him for the role.

By Molly Castle Work

Nov. 6, 2024

A photo of women voters behind privacy screens filling out ballots.

7 of 10 States Backed Abortion Rights. But Little To Change Yet.

Voters in 10 states weighed in on abortion rights this election. Despite the results supporting abortion rights in seven of those states, much of the abortion landscape on abortion won’t change much immediately, as medical providers navigate the legal hurdles that remain.

By Bram Sable-Smith

Nov. 6, 2024

In Montana, Conservative Groups See Chance To Kill Medicaid Expansion

Conservative groups are working to undermine support for Montana’s Medicaid expansion ahead of a political fight over whether to keep the program.

By Katheryn Houghton

Oct. 31, 2024

A photo of a roofer working on a roof on a sunny day. His hat is covering his face.

How a Proposed Federal Heat Rule Might Have Saved These Workers’ Lives

Laborers have suffered in extreme heat triggered by climate change. Deaths aren’t inevitable, researchers say: Employers can save lives by providing ample water and breaks.

By Amy Maxmen

Oct. 28, 2024

A photo of the California State Capitol at an angle on a sunny day. Orange and palm trees are seen in the foreground in front of the building.

California Continues Progressive Policies, With Restraint, in Divisive Election Year

This legislative cycle, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills affirming reproductive rights and mandating insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization, but the Democrat was reluctant to impose new regulations and frequently cited costs for vetoing bills.

By Don Thompson

Oct. 18, 2024

A photo of a senior woman at a table sorting her pills into an organizer.

Montana Looks To Fast-Track Medicaid Access for Older Applicants

As Montana’s population ages, providers serving low-income seniors say more people aren’t getting the care they need as they wait to get on Medicaid. Montana lawmakers are considering creating a shortcut to that care.

By Katheryn Houghton

Oct. 10, 2024

What the Health? From KFF Health News

The Health of the Campaign

Episode 366

Oct. 4, 2024

The 2024 presidential race is taking on a familiar tone — with Democrats accusing Republicans of wanting to ban abortion and repeal the Affordable Care Act and Republicans insisting they have no such plans. Voters will determine whom they believe. Meanwhile, for the second time in a month, a state judge overturned an abortion ban, but few expect the decision to settle the matter. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Lauren Sausser, who reported and wrote the latest KFF Health News-Washington Post “Bill of the Month,” about a teenage athlete whose needed surgery lacked a billing code.

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A photo of Donald Trump shaking hands with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign rally.

Trump Leads, and His Party Follows, on Vaccine Skepticism

Former President Donald Trump has presided over a landslide shift in Republican views on vaccines, reflected in false claims by candidates in election primaries, puzzling conspiracies from prominent conservatives, and a surge in anti-vaccine policies in statehouses.

By Darius Tahir

Oct. 4, 2024

A stock photo of various illegal drugs: a syringe of heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.

California Voters Consider Tough Love for Repeat Drug Offenders

A California ballot measure would roll back some decade-old criminal justice reforms that have become fodder for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Stiffer penalties for shoplifting have gotten much of the attention, but the measure also allows controversial treatment requirements for repeat drug offenders.

By Don Thompson

Sept. 30, 2024

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