Medicaid Archives - KFF Health News

More Kids Without Coverage

Episode 448

May 28, 2026

When Republicans passed their big budget bill in 2025, they thought the effects of cuts to health programs wouldn’t show up until after the 2026 midterms. They were wrong. Meanwhile, the party is trumpeting its efforts to lower drug prices. Maya Goldman of Axios, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Lauren Weber of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner discusses Ebola with KFF Health News’ Céline Gounder.

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A digital illustration of 15 small figures looking at a stethoscope much larger than they are.

Montana Hurries To Adopt Trump’s Medicaid Work Rules Amid Budget Woes

The state is ramping up to implement the federal work requirements six months ahead of the deadline. But Montana is one of several states already struggling to pay for health services.

By Katheryn Houghton

May 27, 2026

KFF Health News On Air

Journalists Distill News on Ebola, Licensing Midwives, and California’s Budget

KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national or local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.

May 23, 2026

A hospital bed covered with a bright red blanket, a pillow with a pattern of puppies, and five stuffed animals.

Kids Keep Getting Stuck in Hospitals, Even After Being Cleared for Discharge

Some children are healthy enough to leave the hospital after a medical stay but have no place to go. Across the country, the practice of allowing children to remain hospitalized “beyond medical necessity” has become a costly problem, and states have struggled to address the issue.

By Cara Anthony

May 18, 2026

Paperwork related to Medicaid in North Carolina is seen laid out

Trump Demands Medicaid Data for Deportation. Some States Go a Step Further.

Several states have required their health agencies to take on another job: verifying immigration status among Medicaid recipients and reporting them to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. North Carolina is the latest to pass such a law, and experts expect more to follow.

By Andrew Jones

May 14, 2026

A photo of a mini shopping cart filled with pills beside a stack of money against a blue background.

That Discount at the Pharmacy Counter May Pack Hidden Costs

The new TrumpRx program relies partly on connecting consumers with discount coupons offered by drugmakers. For insured patients, though, using a coupon can prove dicey.

By Rachel Spears

May 7, 2026

President Trump speaks at a podium. The American flag is to the left of him. A flag with the presidential seal is to the right of him. Behind him is a sign that reads, "TrumpRx.gov."

Trump Promised Cheaper Drugs. Some Prices Dropped. Many Others Shot Up.

For all of President Donald Trump’s showmanship, the share of Americans his policies will likely help remains slim, even if some patients do come out ahead.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal and Arthur Allen

May 7, 2026

An exterior shot of the White House at daytime.

Trump’s Drug Strategy Aims To Bolster Addiction Services — Despite Gutting of Government Support

The White House’s strategy for tackling the drug and addiction crisis, released this week, sets lofty public health goals but highlights deep inconsistencies with the administration’s own funding cuts and other policies.

By Aneri Pattani

May 6, 2026

A close-up photograph of a frail senior's hands holding a bottled protein shake with a straw in it. The person wears a hospital gown, is covered in a blanket, and has bandages on one hand and their arms.

HHS’ Healthy Food Agenda Puts Hospitals on Notice About Patients’ Meals

The backlash was immediate after the Trump administration served notice that hospitals and nursing homes should limit sugary drinks and dietary supplements in favor of what the Department of Health and Human Services terms “real food.”

By Stephanie Armour

May 4, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a podium that says, "treatment not tents."

Gavin Newsom, Early Champion of Single-Payer, Moderates in the Face of Fiscal Limits

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who campaigned on single-payer, has called healthcare a human right. In practice, however, the potential presidential candidate emphasizes safety net services, from expanding coverage to immigrants to constructing behavioral health supports, often for those experiencing homelessness.

By Angela Hart

May 1, 2026

A document with Medicaid eligibility and stethoscope.

States Rush To Figure Out How To Enforce Trump’s Medicaid Work Requirements

A KFF survey of state Medicaid officials offers insight into lingering uncertainty and differing plans for work requirement implementation as the Jan. 1 deadline approaches.

By Rachel Spears

April 30, 2026

An aerial view of downtown Omaha at dawn. Several cars are driving on the roads.

Trump’s Medicaid Work Mandate Debuting in Nebraska to Much Dismay

On May 1, the state will become the first to require people on the government health program to fulfill a work requirement or lose their coverage under a new rule that was a key part of congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

By Phil Galewitz

April 29, 2026

An exterior shot of a community health center.

Rural Health Payout

Big Companies Position Themselves for Payday From $50B Federal Rural Health Fund

A $50 billion federal fund is supposed to modernize rural health with electronic health records, AI, telehealth, and more. But community clinics and rural health advocates fear that the contractors administering the money for states will bite off a big chunk before it reaches rural patients.

By Sarah Jane Tribble

April 28, 2026

A woman and child walk hand in hand down a hospital corridor

Priced Out

Florida Delays Children’s Health Insurance Expansion as Uninsured Rate Rises

Florida’s KidCare expansion has been stuck in legal limbo since February 2024. Since then, the number of uninsured children in Florida has risen to 400,000 — one of the highest state tallies.

By Daniel Chang

April 27, 2026

An anonymous female nurse giving pills and water to an unrecognizable senior in a home setting.

The New Old Age

The Help That Many Older Americans Need Most

With shortages of medical professionals and an aging population, thousands of community healthcare workers prevent older adults from falling through the cracks.

By Paula Span

April 27, 2026

Two older women stand smiling side by side in a parking lot on a sunny day.

Food Stamp Work Rules Don’t Increase Employment, Researchers Say

Work requirements will encourage people who are able to work to seek and maintain jobs, proponents say. But researchers haven’t found that they lower the unemployment rate.

By Taylor Sisk

April 23, 2026

A doula holds a baby while sitting on a couch.

Montana Moves Ahead With Doula Pay but Warns Medicaid Cuts Still May Come

Montana health officials say they’re seeking to add doula services to the state’s Medicaid program, reversing a previous statement that they would “not be moving forward” amid a budget shortfall.

By Katheryn Houghton

April 22, 2026

KFF Health News On Air

Journalists Talk Hot Health Topics: Urgent Care Clinics Performing Abortions and Doulas’ Pay

KFF Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.

April 18, 2026

A doctor writes notes in an examination room while talking to a patient out of frame.

New Federal Medicaid Rules Require One Month of Work. Some States Demand More.

Starting next year, about 18.5 million adults will be subject to new Medicaid work rules in 42 states and Washington, D.C. Applicants must show they’ve been working for at least a month before receiving benefits. Some Republican-controlled states want to triple the required work period.

By Samantha Liss

April 16, 2026

A sign printed on a window reads "Aceptamos Medi-Cal."

Medi-Cal Immigrant Enrollment Is Dropping. Researchers Point to Trump’s Policies.

A KFF Health News analysis found Medi-Cal lost almost 100,000 immigrants without legal status in the second half of 2025. California officials say it’s not clear if immigrants are losing coverage faster than other populations, but researchers said the most obvious driver is fear of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

By Claudia Boyd-Barrett

April 15, 2026

Trump 2.0

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