Medicaid Archives - Page 16 of 97

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

A photo of Mehmet Oz speaking at an event.

In Trump’s Team, Supplement Fans Find Kindred Spirits in Search of Better Health

President Donald Trump’s health team has deep financial ties to the supplements industry. Now they’re poised to boost its growth and remake the government’s approach to health.

By Darius Tahir

March 13, 2025

A senior man sits in a brown leather chair with a labradoodle dog in his lap. A walker is beside him. He is sitting in his home living room.

Sent Home To Heal, Patients Avoid Wait for Rehab Home Beds

Many patients ready to leave the hospital end up lingering for days or weeks — occupying beds that others need and driving up costs — because of a lack of open spots at nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. A few health systems are addressing this problem by moving post-acute rehab into the home.

By Felice J. Freyer

March 12, 2025

Rear view of female nurse walking with senior man in corridor at nursing home

Nursing Homes and the AMA, Once Medicaid Defenders, Hang Back as GOP Mulls Big Cuts

The American Medical Association and the leading nursing home trade group both are lobbying Republicans in Congress on other priorities.

By Noam N. Levey

March 11, 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

House Speaker Mike Johnson stands in the background of a press conference while a budget resolution bill is held up in front of him.

Medicaid Advocates Say Critics Use Loaded Terms To Gain Edge in Congressional Debate

As policymakers in Washington debate potentially steep funding cuts to Medicaid, Republicans are using terms such as “money laundering” and “discrimination” to make their case. Language experts and Medicaid advocates say their word choice is misleading and designed to sway the public against the popular program.

By Phil Galewitz

March 7, 2025

What the Health? From KFF Health News

The State of Federal Health Agencies Is Uncertain

Episode 387

March 6, 2025

The Supreme Court opined for the first time that Trump administration officials may be exceeding their authority to reshape the federal government by refusing to honor completed contracts, even as lower-court judges started blocking efforts to fire workers, freeze funding, and cancel ongoing contracts. Meanwhile, public health officials are alarmed at the Department of Health and Human Services’ public handling of Texas’ widening measles outbreak, particularly the secretary’s less-than-full endorsement of vaccines. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Stephanie Armour of KFF Health News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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A woman wearing a green sweater stands at a podium and points into the audience.

To Patients, Parents, and Caregivers, Proposed Medicaid Cuts Are a Personal Affront

At a town hall in Orange County, California, angry residents said Congress should keep its hands off Medicaid. The cuts contemplated in a House budget blueprint would bore a giant hole in California’s version of the safety net health insurance program, Medi-Cal, which covers nearly 15 million residents.

By Bernard J. Wolfson

March 6, 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 senior man stands beside a bookshelf, holding a book. He wears a white button-shirt.

Home Improvements Can Help People Age Independently. But Medicare Seldom Picks Up the Bill.

A small program celebrated by its proponents helps people modify their homes and safely live independently as they age. But most insurers won’t pay for it, including Medicare.

By Joanne Kenen

March 3, 2025

What the Health? From KFF Health News

House GOP Plan Targets Medicaid

Episode 386

Feb. 27, 2025

The House passed a budget plan that likely would result in major cuts to the Medicaid program. But the plan now faces a battle in the Senate, where even Republicans seem reluctant to dramatically reduce a health program that covers roughly 1 in 5 Americans. Meanwhile, federal judges and the Trump administration continue to differ over whether the administration has the authority to unilaterally cancel programs approved and funded by Congress and to fire federal workers. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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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.

Common Ground

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

Trump Froze Out Project 2025 in His Campaign. Now Its Blueprint Is His Health Care Playbook.

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump distanced himself from the conservative governing plan after Democratic attacks. But now it’s increasingly viewed as a blueprint for his administration’s plans for federal health programs.

By Stephanie Armour

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

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

KFF Health News On Air

Journalists Discuss Health Care for Incarcerated Children and the Possibility of a Bird Flu Pandemic

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

Feb. 22, 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

A photo of a members of the House of Representatives' Budget Committee seated in a hearing room.

GOP Takes Aim at Medicaid, Putting Enrollees and Providers at Risk

Congressional Republicans are pushing plans that could make deep cuts to Medicaid to finance President Donald Trump’s tax cuts and other priorities. At stake is coverage for millions of low-income Americans, as well as a huge revenue source for hospitals — and every state.

By Phil Galewitz

Feb. 21, 2025

Trump 2.0

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