Medicaid Archives - Page 20 of 93

2023 Is a Wrap

Episode 327

Dec. 21, 2023

2023 was another busy year in health care. As the covid-19 pandemic waned, policymakers looked anew at long-standing obstacles to obtaining and paying for care in the nation’s health care system. Meanwhile, abortion has continued to be an issue in much of the nation, as states respond to the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to the procedure. This week, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and wrap up the year in health. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Jordan Rau about his joint KFF Health News-New York Times series “Dying Broke.”

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Faces of Medi-Cal

New Doula Benefit ‘Life-Changing’ for California Mom

Doulas, independent workers who act as advocates for birthing parents, have been shown to help prevent pregnancy complications and improve the health of both mothers and babies. California’s Medicaid program started covering their services this year, but some doulas say bureaucratic obstacles and inadequate pay prevent their effective use.

By Molly Castle Work

Dec. 19, 2023

A vector illustration of a doctor holding a very large umbrella over a family.

Asking Never Hurts

In New Year, All Immigrants in California May Qualify for Medicaid Regardless of Legal Status

In the new year, California’s Medicaid program will open to otherwise eligible immigrants ages 26 to 49 without legal residency. They will join children, young adults, and adults over 50 enrolled in Medi-Cal through previous expansions to residents lacking authorization. The change is expected to add over 700,000 first-time enrollees.

By Bernard J. Wolfson

Dec. 18, 2023

The Health 202

Gun Violence Is a Plague. Could Medicaid Help?

By Samantha Young

Dec. 12, 2023

KFF Health News On Air

Journalists Delve Into Gun Violence, Medicaid’s ‘Unwinding,’ Opioid Lawsuits, and More

KFF Health News and California Healthline staffers made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.

Dec. 9, 2023

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Democrats See Opportunity in GOP Threats to Repeal Health Law

Episode 325

Dec. 7, 2023

Sensing that Republicans are walking into a political minefield by threatening once again to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the Biden administration is looking to capitalize by rolling out a series of initiatives aimed at high drug prices and other consequences of “corporate greed in health care.” Meanwhile, the Supreme Court hears a case that could determine when and how much victims of the opioid crisis can collect from Purdue Pharma, the drug company that lied about how addictive its drug, OxyContin, really was. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, and Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Dan Weissmann of KFF Health News’ sister podcast, “An Arm and a Leg,” about his investigation into hospitals suing their patients over unpaid bills.

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A health care worker rests their hand on their forehead behind stacks of paperwork.

California’s Ambitious Medicaid Experiment Gets Tripped Up in Implementation

The health care insurers, nonprofit organizations, and other groups responsible for implementing Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ambitious plan to infuse Medicaid with social services say their ability to serve vulnerable, low-income Californians is hamstrung.

By Angela Hart

Dec. 5, 2023

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Trump Puts Obamacare Repeal Back on Agenda

Episode 324

Nov. 30, 2023

Although Republicans have never united behind a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said this week he wants to put the issue back on the national agenda. That delights Democrats, who have won at least two elections partly by defending the now-popular health law. Meanwhile, the Texas Supreme Court takes up a case brought by women who say their pregnancy complications further endangered their health due to the vagueness of Texas’ near-total ban on abortions. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of Axios News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Rachana Pradhan, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.

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Uncle Sam Wants You … to Help Stop Insurers’ Bogus Medicare Advantage Sales Tactics

The Biden administration wants to crack down on deceptive or misleading Medicare Advantage and drug plan sales tactics. It’s counting on beneficiaries to help catch offenders.

By Susan Jaffe

Nov. 30, 2023

Medicaid ‘Unwinding’ Makes Other Public Assistance Harder to Get

The bottleneck caused by states’ reevaluation of Medicaid enrollees has swept up low-income families that rely on other safety-net services.

By Katheryn Houghton, Rachana Pradhan, and Samantha Liss

Nov. 29, 2023

The Health 202

Medicaid’s ‘Unwinding’ Can Be Especially Perilous for Disabled People

By Rachana Pradhan

Nov. 28, 2023

Three people stand behind lecterns on a debate stage. Former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley stands on the left, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in the center and currently speaking, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy stands on the right.

What Would a DeSantis Presidency Look Like for Health Care?

Ron DeSantis’ record as Florida governor provides some clues to how he would change the health care landscape if elected president. In his five years as governor, DeSantis has promoted stricter abortion rules and emphasized individual freedom over the benefits of public health.

By Romy Ellenbogen, Tampa Bay Times and Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times

Nov. 24, 2023

A person sits at a table with a phone, calculator and writes on paperwork on a clipboard.

1 in 3 People Dropped by Utah Medicaid Left Uninsured, a ‘Concerning’ Sign for Nation

About a third of the 130,000 people Utah has dropped from Medicaid this year say they now lack health insurance. It’s a glimpse into the fate of people caught up in Medicaid’s “unwinding.”

By Phil Galewitz

Nov. 22, 2023

A photo of a woman standing for a portrait outside of her house.

Lost in the Mix of Medicaid ‘Unwinding’: Kentucky Cut Off Her Health Care Over a Clerical Error

The state canceled Beverly Likens’ coverage — days before surgery — without considering other ways she qualified for Medicaid, which experts say violated federal regulations.

By Rachana Pradhan

Nov. 21, 2023

June Voros is sitting on a couch in her home. Her hands are placed on her knees and she looks towards the camera.

Faces of Medi-Cal

Beyond Insulin: Medi-Cal Expands Patient Access to Diabetes Supplies

California’s Medicaid program is making it easier for people with diabetes to obtain the supplies and equipment they need to manage their blood sugar, partly by relaxing preauthorization requirements that can cause life-threatening delays.

By Angela Hart

Nov. 17, 2023

What the Health? From KFF Health News

Congress Kicks the (Budget) Can Down the Road. Again.

Episode 323

Nov. 16, 2023

Congress narrowly avoided a federal government shutdown for the second time in six weeks, as Democrats came to the rescue of divided House Republicans over annual spending bills that were supposed to be finished by Oct. 1. But the brinksmanship is likely to repeat itself early in 2024, when the next temporary spending patches expire. Meanwhile, a pair of investigations unveiled this week demonstrate how difficult it still is for seniors to get needed long-term and rehabilitation care. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat, and Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.

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Two patients wait in a waiting room at a doctor's office. On the far left, a physician is walking by.

Primary Care Disrupted

Compensation Is Key to Fixing Primary Care Shortage

Many proposals have been floated about how to address the nation’s primary care problem. They range from training slots to medical school debt forgiveness but often sidestep comprehensive payment reform.

By Michelle Andrews

Nov. 16, 2023

A photo of a woman helping her elderly mother up the stairs.

Dying Broke: A KFF Health News-New York Times Project

Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care

The United States has no coherent system of long-term care, leading many to struggle to stay independent or rely on a patchwork of solutions.

By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau

Nov. 14, 2023

A photo of Iowa's governor, Kim Reynolds, signing a bill into law banning most abortions in the state after about six weeks. People are standing behind her and watching as she signs.

Iowa’s Governor Opposes Abortion — And Has Final Say on Whether Medicaid Pays for It

The federal government requires state Medicaid programs to pay for abortions in limited circumstances, but Iowa hasn’t done so for years. No providers seek Medicaid payments, which require the approval of the governor, an anti-abortion Republican.

By Tony Leys

Nov. 7, 2023