Health Care Costs Archives - Page 16 of 93

Federal Health Work in Flux

Episode 389

March 20, 2025

It’s the Trump administration vs. the federal courts, as the Department of Government Efficiency continues to try to cancel federal contracts and programs and fire workers. But in the haste to cut things, jobs and programs are being eliminated even if they align with the new administration’s goal to “Make America Healthy Again.” Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post 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

A doctor office examination room with the examination table/reclining chair in its most upright position.

Tribal Health Leaders Say Medicaid Cuts Would Decimate Health Programs

As Congress mulls significant cuts to Medicaid, Native American tribes are bracing for potentially devastating financial fallout. That’s because Medicaid is the largest third-party payer for Native American health programs, funding that has helped address chronic underfunding of the Indian Health Service.

By Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez

March 19, 2025

An illustration of a magnifying glass magnifying a check mark in the midst of a field of blurred X marks.

Checking the Facts on Medicaid Use by Latinos

Republicans’ moves to scale back Medicaid are leading to more misinformation about immigrants, especially Latinos, circulating on social media platforms. The misconceptions include the myths that Latinos covered by Medicaid don’t work and that they use Medicaid significantly more than others.

By Paula Andalo and Isabel Rubio, Factchequeado

March 17, 2025

What the Health? From KFF Health News

The Cutting Continues

Episode 388

March 13, 2025

The Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government continue, with both personnel and programs being cut at the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. Meanwhile, the fight over cuts to the Medicaid program for those with low incomes heats up, as Republicans worry that more of their voters than ever before are Medicaid beneficiaries. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Jeff Grant, who recently retired from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services after 41 years in government service.

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An image of a desk topped with a stethoscope, a medical paper, and a calculator.

California Borrows $3.4 Billion for Medicaid Overrun as Congress Eyes Steep Cuts

Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, borrowed $3.4 billion from the state — and will likely need even more — due to higher prescription costs and increased eligibility for seniors and immigrants. The top Republican in the state Senate is demanding a hearing “so the public knows exactly where their tax dollars are going.”

By Christine Mai-Duc

March 13, 2025

A photo of the U.S. Capitol from afar, framed by trees.

KFF Health News & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Can House Republicans Cut $880 Billion Without Slashing Medicaid? It’s Likely Impossible.

A Republican House resolution, which needs the Senate’s buy-in, directed a committee to propose ways to reduce the deficit by at least $880 billion over a decade. Lawmakers have taken Medicare off the table for cuts, which makes it impossible to reach $880 billion without cutting Medicaid.

By Madison Czopek, PolitiFact and Amy Sherman, PolitiFact

March 13, 2025

An Arm and a Leg

Medical-Debt Watchdog Gets Sidelined by the New Administration

Season 13, Episode 4

March 12, 2025

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is offline — for now. Here’s what that could mean for people with medical debt.

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A photo of President Trump standing inside the U.S. Capitol.

KFF Health News / CMG TV Stations Investigation

Under Trump, Social Security Resumes What It Once Called ‘Clawback Cruelty’

Last year, the government stopped cutting off people’s monthly Social Security benefits to claw back overpayments. Last week, under President Donald Trump, it reversed that change.

By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group

March 11, 2025

Thought Inflation Was Bad? Health Insurance Premiums Are Rising Even Faster

California businesses saw employees’ monthly family insurance premiums rise nearly $1,000 over a 15-year period, more than double the pace of inflation. And employees’ share grew as companies shifted more of the cost to workers.

By Phillip Reese

March 11, 2025

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 Jennifer Pahlka speaking to Anand Giridharadas onstage at a conference.

Spotlight

She Co-Founded the Office That Became DOGE. Now, She Sees ‘Irresponsible Transformation.’

As a deputy chief technology officer in the Obama administration, Jennifer Pahlka brought Silicon Valley talent to Washington to streamline public access to government services. She believes better government technology could both ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted and that people who need health care and food assistance receive it.

By Sarah Kwon

March 10, 2025

An exterior photograph of a modern office building in a metropolitan area. Cars are seen driving in front of the building labeled "Centene Plaza."

Years Later, Centene Settlements With States Still Unfinished

At least 20 states have settled disputes with health insurance giant Centene since 2021 over allegations that its pharmacy benefit manager operation overcharged their Medicaid programs. Two holdouts appear to remain: Georgia has not yet settled, and Florida officials won’t answer questions about its Centene situation.

By Andy Miller

March 5, 2025

A photo of President Trump at the White House speaking into a microphone, pointing with his hand.

Trump Vowed To End Surprise Medical Bills. The Office Working on That Just Got Slashed.

The Trump administration’s first round of sweeping staff cuts to federal agencies eliminated dozens of positions at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, which is tasked with implementing the No Surprises Act.

By Noam N. Levey

March 4, 2025

A photo of a young man posing for a portrait outside. A white car drives up the street behind him.

Bill of the Month

A Runner Was Hit by a Car, Then by a Surprise Ambulance Bill

A San Francisco man had friends drive him to the hospital after he was hit by a car. Doctors checked him out, then sent him by ambulance to a trauma center — which released him with no further treatment. The ambulance bill? Almost $13,000.

By Sandy West

Feb. 28, 2025

Three headshots are side by side. A man with glasses is on the left, a woman with straight caramel hair is in the center, and a man wearing a baseball cap is on the right.

Republicans Once Wanted Government out of Health Care. Trump Voters See It Differently.

Frustrated by high health care prices, many who backed President Donald Trump support strong government actions to protect patients. It’s unclear whether GOP leaders will listen.

By Noam N. Levey

Feb. 27, 2025

A photo illustration of a figure standing alone, surrounded by fragments of a dollar bill arrayed in a random order.

Payback: Tracking Opioid Cash

Opioid Cash Grab: As Federal Funding Dries Up, States Turn to Settlement Money

Nevada’s budget debate highlights how uncertainty over funding for federal safety net programs may lead some officials to turn to opioid settlement dollars to make up the difference.

By Aneri Pattani

Feb. 25, 2025

A photo of Montana's capitol with a few inches of snow. A construction worker in the foreground works on the building from a cherry-picker basket.

Montana’s Medicaid Expansion Conundrum

State lawmakers appear ready to preserve the state’s Medicaid expansion program without knowing what federal changes might be in store.

By Sue O'Connell

Feb. 24, 2025

Watch: What Is Medicaid, Again?

KFF Health News correspondent Sam Whitehead discusses Medicaid's history and role in the U.S. health system.

By Sam Whitehead and Hannah Norman

Feb. 24, 2025

The Week in Brief

Can Medicaid’s Popularity Shield It From the Budget Ax?

Republicans in Congress have suggested big cuts to Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes or disabilities. The complex, multifaceted program touches millions of Americans and has become deeply woven into state budgets and the U.S. health care system.

By Renuka Rayasam

Feb. 21, 2025

Trump 2.0

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