Insurance Archives - Page 16 of 189

Digesting Trump’s Big Budget Law

Episode 405

July 10, 2025

President Donald Trump’s big budget bill became his big budget law on July 4, codifying about $1 trillion in cuts to the Medicaid program. But the law includes many less-publicized provisions that could reshape the way the nation pays for and receives health care. Meanwhile, at the Department of Health and Human Services, uncertainty reigns as both staff and outside recipients of federal funds face cuts. Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Julie Appleby, who reported the latest KFF Health News’ “Bill of the Month” feature, about some very pricey childhood immunizations.

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Closeup of a doula assisting a pregnant woman by placing a belly band while she's sitting on a fitness ball, providing support and comfort during pregnancy

Doulas, Once a Luxury, Are Increasingly Covered by Medicaid — Even in GOP States

Even as states brace for significant reductions in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade, conservative legislatures across the country are passing laws that grant doula access to Medicaid beneficiaries.

By Lauren Sausser and Katheryn Houghton

July 10, 2025

An Arm and a Leg

The Prescription Drug Playbook, Part II

Season 13, Episode 10

July 9, 2025

In this second part of a two-part series on dealing with the high price of prescription drugs, experts share their insider tips.

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A photo of an ambulance. Paramedics load a patient on a gurney into the ambulance.

Insurers Fight State Laws Restricting Surprise Ambulance Bills

A Colorado bill banning surprise billing for ambulance rides passed unanimously in both legislative chambers, only to be met with a veto from the governor. As more states pass such legislation, some are hitting the same snag — concerns about raising premiums.

By Rae Ellen Bichell and Katheryn Houghton

July 9, 2025

A sign in front of a building reads "Covered California." Two people walk along the sidewalk in front of the sign.

States Brace for Reversal of Obamacare Coverage Gains Under Trump’s Budget Bill

States that run their own health insurance marketplaces fear an end to automatic Obamacare reenrollment under the tax and spending megabill would have an outsize effect on their policyholders.

By Julie Appleby

July 3, 2025

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Trump’s Bill Reaches the Finish Line

Episode 404

July 3, 2025

The House on Thursday moved to approve the largest-ever cuts to federal safety net programs, the last step before the measure goes to President Donald Trump’s desk. After the Senate very narrowly passed the bill, House GOP leaders ushered it past resistance from conservatives wary of adding trillions to the federal debt and moderates concerned about its cuts to Medicaid. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has continued to pursue his anti-vaccine agenda, despite promising that he would not. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Maya Goldman of Axios, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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A man with grey hair, glasses, a red tie and a dark suit stands behind a podium

GOP Governors Mum as Congress Moves To Slash Medicaid Spending for Their States

In 2017, when President Donald Trump tried to repeal Obamacare and roll back Medicaid coverage, Republican governors helped turn Congress against it. Now, as Trump tries again to scale back Medicaid, Republican governors — whose constituents stand to lose federal funding and health coverage — have gone quiet on the health consequences.

By Phil Galewitz

July 3, 2025

A woman with brown hair and wearing an olive green t-shirt sits on a bench and looks at the young man with brown hair and a wearing a blue shirt with small palm trees sitting on the bench beside her. They are in a wooded area and there are trees in the background.

To Keep Medicaid, Mom Caring for Disabled Adult Son Faces Prospect of Proving She Works

A proposed work requirement would make Medicaid expansion enrollees prove they’re working or meet other criteria. Most already work, but millions are expected to lose coverage if the provision passes, many from red tape. A Missouri mother who cares for her disabled son would probably be subject to the rule.

By Bram Sable-Smith

July 3, 2025

HealthBent

To Cut Medicaid, the GOP’s Following a Path Often Used To Expand Health Care

Republicans are attempting to use the budget reconciliation process to boost President Donald Trump’s priorities and reduce health coverage. That process has been used to pass nearly every major piece of health legislation for decades — except usually lawmakers use it to expand health care, not cut it, writes Julie Rovner.

By Julie Rovner

July 2, 2025

A photo of an ambulance driving by in Washington, D.C. The rotunda of the U.S. Capitol is prominent in the background.

Republican Megabill Will Mean Higher Health Costs for Many Americans

Spending cuts hitting medical providers, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act enrollees, and lawfully present immigrants are just some of the biggest changes the GOP has in store for health care — with ramifications that could touch all Americans.

By Phil Galewitz, Julie Appleby, Renuka Rayasam, and Bernard J. Wolfson

July 2, 2025

A woman is showing another woman something on a cell phone screen. In front of them is a sign that reads, "St. John's Community Health."

California Immigrants Weigh Health Coverage Against Deportation Risk

Immigrants without legal status who live in the state are facing a Medi-Cal enrollment freeze next year. But the spate of immigration raids has raised fears that signing up before the deadline will put them on the radar of federal officials.

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

July 1, 2025

A portrait of a man outdoors, leaning his back against a tree trunk.

In a First, Trump and GOP-Led Congress Prepare To Swell Ranks of US Uninsured

Fewer Americans will likely have health insurance, compromising their physical and financial health, as the Trump administration and GOP-controlled Congress weigh major changes to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. “The effects could be catastrophic,” one policy analyst predicts.

By Renuka Rayasam and Sam Whitehead

June 30, 2025

A group of protesters stand holding signs. One large sign reads, "Death by a trillion cuts: Medicaid cuts kill." Others hold signs shaped like tombstones that read, "Here lies America's future," and "R.I.P. Sacrificed for the rich."

Too Sick To Work, Some Americans Worry Trump’s Bill Will Strip Their Health Insurance

Republicans claim 4.8 million Americans on Medicaid who could work choose not to. The GOP’s work-requirement legislation could sweep up disabled people who say they’re unable to hold jobs.

By Phil Galewitz and Stephanie Armour

June 27, 2025

KFF Health News & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Thune Says Health Care Often ‘Comes With a Job.’ The Reality’s Not Simple or Straightforward.

Sixty percent of Americans have health insurance through their own workplace or someone else’s job. But not all employers provide health insurance or offer plans to all their workers. When they do, cost and quality vary widely, making Thune’s statement an oversimplification.

By Arielle Zionts

June 27, 2025

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Live From Aspen — Governors and an HHS Secretary Sound Off

Episode 403

June 26, 2025

In this special episode taped before a live audience at Aspen Ideas: Health, three former governors — one of whom also served as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services — discuss how state and federal officials can work together to improve Americans’ health. Democrat Kathleen Sebelius, former Kansas governor and HHS secretary under President Barack Obama; Republican Chris Sununu, former New Hampshire governor; and Democrat Roy Cooper, former North Carolina governor, join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner.

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California’s Much-Touted IVF Law May Be Delayed Until 2026, Leaving Many in the Lurch

California lawmakers are poised to approve a six-month delay in implementing the state’s in vitro fertilization law, pushing its start to January 2026. The plan to postpone, which has drawn little attention, is part of the state budget package and has left patients, insurers, and employers in limbo.

By Sarah Kwon

June 25, 2025

A photo of Mehmet Oz speaking at a podium. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands behind him.

Deadly Denials

5 Takeaways From Health Insurers’ New Pledge To Improve Prior Authorization

Dozens of health insurance companies pledged on Monday to improve prior authorization, a process often used to deny care. The announcement comes months after the killing of UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson, whose death in December sparked widespread criticism about insurance denials.

By Lauren Sausser and Phil Galewitz

June 24, 2025

A man sits at an office desk that shows lots of signs of activity; stacks of paper, an open computer, and a name plate.

‘We Need To Keep Fighting’: HIV Activists Organize To Save Lives as Trump Guts Funding

While Congress fails to stave off cuts to HIV care, community leaders in Mississippi and beyond race to limit the damage.

By Amy Maxmen

June 24, 2025

A photo of the US Capitol building at sunrise.

Federal Proposals Threaten Provider Taxes, Key Source of Medicaid Funding for States

Republican proposals to tighten the use of special taxes to fund Medicaid programs could deprive states of billions of dollars for safety net health care. In California, any such limit would come on top of Medicaid cuts proposed by California Democrats in response to a $12 billion state deficit.

By Bernard J. Wolfson

June 23, 2025