Our Reporters Discuss Healthcare Costs — And What Changes the Midterms May Portend
KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media in recent weeks to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Healthcare Costs
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Texas Democrats Swept Statewide Races. Now Comes the Hard Part of Solving Healthcare Angst.
The blue wave in the state on Nov. 3 now runs headlong into the reality of Texas politics and a compressed legislative calendar.
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Healthcare Costs Helped Drive Voters’ Choices. Now the New Democratic Congress Must Deliver.
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Healthcare Cuts Fuel Democrats’ Election Blowout
Climbing healthcare costs drove a blue wave this election season. Julie Rovner, KFF Health News' chief Washington correspondent, breaks down the midterms and how the results could shape future healthcare debates.
By Julie Rovner -
Midterm Wave Sets a Course for ‘Medicare for All’ Fight
Voter frustration with healthcare costs helped fuel the Democrats’ midterm takeover of Congress. But Democratic control doesn’t mean “Medicare for All” will follow, as some hoped.
By Kate Wells A Blue Wave Hits Healthcare
Episode 470The predicted blue wave in the 2026 midterms not only appeared — it overperformed, with Democrats sweeping into majorities in the House and Senate. That sets up a new focus on health policy, with Democrats seeking to undo cuts imposed by President Donald Trump and the GOP-led Congress and advance their own agenda to increase coverage and lower costs. In this special episode, host Julie Rovner is joined by Mollyann Brodie, executive vice president and chief operating officer at KFF; Larry Levitt, KFF’s executive vice president for health policy; and Amanda Seitz, Washington health policy reporter for KFF Health News.
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Democrats’ Election Rout Is Poised To Dramatically Reorder Federal Health Policy
Democrats’ retaking of Congress doesn’t change President Donald Trump’s control of the veto pen — making the new majority’s aspirations to reverse changes to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and other safety net programs an uphill climb.
By Stephanie Armour and Amanda Seitz -
Expecting a Baby? Five Tips To Help You Prepare for Pregnancy Costs
The cost of having a baby is frustratingly difficult to predict. The actual amount families pay varies widely. Here are five tips to help you prepare for the often-unexpected costs of pregnancy and giving birth.
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A Few Miles From the US Capitol, Dozens Slept in Their Cars, Waiting for Free Care
If you’ve heard about how people are struggling with affording healthcare but haven’t been touched by it or seen it, then this pop-up clinic just outside Washington, D.C., put the problem on full display.
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Georgia Helped Inspire the Medicaid Work Rules. Its Own Rules Could Soon End.
For years, Georgia was the only state to require some Medicaid enrollees to work to obtain and keep coverage. Those rules could expire just as the federal Medicaid work requirements they helped inspire roll out across most of the country.
By Briah Lumpkins and Sam Whitehead -
With Midterms Looming, Americans Feel Priced Out of Healthcare
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Medicare Drug Plans Are Hiking Premiums While Trump Claims Victory on Medicine Prices
Millions of Medicare enrollees who buy stand-alone prescription drug plans will see their average monthly premiums rise by 50% in 2027, a new analysis finds. But enrollees can avoid the average increase by switching to lower-cost plans.
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For Californians Drowning in Healthcare Costs, Governor’s Race Offers Few Answers
In California, healthcare costs are rising faster than income and inflation, and 4 in 10 adults in the state say they’re paying down medical debt. With the governor’s race in full swing, it’s still not clear what the candidates would do to fix it.
A New Era for the ACA
Episode 469Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act plans kicks off in most states Nov. 1, and consumers can expect higher premiums and more bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Democrats are planning a major health agenda if they win majorities in Congress. Julie Appleby of KFF Health News, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Victoria Knight of Bloomberg Government join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also, Rovner announces the winners of the KFF Health News Halloween haiku contest.
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She Needed an EpiPen. But First, an Urgent Care Asked Her To Pay.
An uninsured woman sought help at a Virginia urgent care center after being stung by a wasp. She said she was stunned when the center asked her to pay before giving her a shot to reverse her allergic reaction.
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In California and Other States, Dads Are Now Even With Moms in Paid Leave Claims
The U.S. has no law guaranteeing paid parental leave. But in states with their own programs, more dads are using the benefit, surpassing moms in some states. The growth in popularity comes as Americans increasingly say raising children is unaffordable.
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The Cost of Healthcare Is Hitting America Where It Hurts: The Wallet
Rising healthcare costs are upending the lives of Americans. People are forgoing health insurance, rationing medications, cutting back on doctor visits, and putting off health procedures they can’t afford. But bringing the costs down won’t be easy.
By Renuka Rayasam and Sam Whitehead -
GOP Congressman in California Swing-District Race Defends Vote for Medicaid Cuts
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.
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Shopping for an ACA Plan This Year? Here’s What You Need To Know
As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act health insurance kicks off, consumers face rising premiums, additional identity checks, and fewer brokers.
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Digging Into the Money Behind the US Healthcare System
Healthcare makes up a growing share of the U.S. economy — and household budgets. We break down how much money the nation is spending and on what.
By Lydia Zuraw and Renuka Rayasam