Journalists Dig Into Government Shutdown and Rural Doctor Drought
Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News journalists made the rounds on national media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Health Care Costs
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Starting To Feel the Shutdown’s Bite
Episode 417The government shutdown continues with no end in sight, and while it theoretically should not affect entitlement programs, the lapse of some related authorizations — like for Medicare telehealth programs — is leaving some doctors and patients high and dry. Meanwhile, the FDA quietly approved a new generic abortion pill. Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also, Rovner interviews Sarah Grusin of the National Health Law Program.
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Listen: Why ‘TrumpRx’ Might Not Save You Money
On the "Today, Explained" podcast, Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News' Julie Rovner recaps the TrumpRx announcement and why the direct-to-consumer initiative may not save you money on prescription drugs if you have insurance through your employer or the government.
By Julie Rovner -
Why Democrats Are Casting the Government Shutdown as a Health Care Showdown
Democrats are pressuring Republicans to extend billions of dollars in federal tax credits that have dramatically lowered premiums and contributed to record-low rates of uninsured Americans. It’s a chance to talk about a winning issue — and maybe regain support from working-class voters.
By Amanda Seitz -
GOP Falsely Ties Shutdown to Democrats’ Alleged Drive To Give All Immigrants Health Care
Immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status are generally ineligible for federally funded health care programs. Democrats’ funding proposal would restore access to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act marketplace for legal immigrants who will lose access once certain provisions of the Republicans’ tax and spending law take effect.
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Political Risks in ACA Subsidy Debate Spark Blame Game, Test Parties’ Resolve
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Democrats Make This Shutdown About the ACA
Episode 416The foreshadowed federal shutdown came after Congress failed to pass required spending bills, with Democrats demanding Republicans renew the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies in exchange for their votes. While a shutdown does not affect Medicare and Medicaid, it could eventually hinder activities from every corner of the Department of Health and Human Services. Meanwhile, as Democrats and Republicans point fingers, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pursues policies and personnel that would undermine vaccines. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News join Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss the news. Also this week, Rovner interviews Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News’ Cara Anthony, who wrote a recent “Bill of the Month” feature about an out-of-network eye surgery that left one kindergartner’s family with a big bill.
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Workers’ Wages Siphoned To Pay Medical Bills, Despite Consumer Protections
Health care providers and debt collectors are biting from people’s paychecks to cover old medical bills. A Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News investigation in Colorado shows that this aggressive collection practice is widespread even in a state considered to have strong consumer protections.
The Struggle To Afford Insurance in 2026 Hits Home
Season 14, Episode 1The senior producer of “An Arm and a Leg” starts planning for health insurance in 2026, and — like millions of others signing up during this year’s open enrollment — faces a steep price increase.
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Shutdown Halts Some Health Services as Political Risks Test Parties’ Resolve
Congressional Democrats and Republicans are at an impasse in negotiations. Which side will blink first?
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Journalists Recap Coverage on Organ Harvesting, Obamacare, and Medicaid Cuts
Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News journalists made the rounds on national and local media recently to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
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Listen: Young Adults Turning 26 Face Health Insurance Cliff
The erosion of the Affordable Care Act has created an insurance cliff for Americans who are turning 26 and don’t have a job that provides medical coverage. Scared off by high price tags and the complexity of picking a policy, some young adults are going without insurance.
Public Health Further Politicized Under the Threat of More Firings
Episode 415In a rambling news conference that shocked public health experts, President Donald Trump — without scientific evidence — blamed the over-the-counter drug acetaminophen, and too many childhood vaccines, for the increase in autism diagnoses in the U.S. That came days after a key immunization advisory panel, newly reconstituted with vaccine doubters, changed several long-standing recommendations. Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official Demetre Daskalakis joins Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories. Meanwhile, Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join Rovner with the rest of the news, including a threat by the Trump administration to fire rather than furlough federal workers if Congress fails to fund the government beyond the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year.
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Big Loopholes in Hospital Charity Care Programs Mean Patients Still Get Stuck With the Tab
Even if people qualify for financial help with their hospital bills, the care they receive may not be covered.
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As Trump Punts on Medical Debt, Battle Over Patient Protections Moves to States
Some states are enacting medical debt laws as the Trump administration pulls back federal protections. Elsewhere, industry opposition has derailed legislation.
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She Had a Broken Arm, No Insurance — And a $97,000 Bill
Deborah Buttgereit knew piecing together the broken bone in her elbow would be expensive. But complications the doctor deemed a surprise, midsurgery, drove the total bill tens of thousands of dollars above the original estimate.
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States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit
North Carolina and Idaho are cutting their Medicaid programs to bridge budget gaps, raising fears that providers will stop taking patients and that hospitals will close even before the brunt of a new federal tax-and-budget law takes effect.
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Listen: The Surprising Power of Pushback When Health Insurance Won’t Pay
Denied coverage for preventive care? You’re not powerless. In this new episode of NPR’s “Life Kit” podcast, Ńîąóĺú´«Ă˝Ň•îl Health News reporter Jackie FortiĂ©r explores why denials happen and how to avoid common pitfalls.
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Team Trump’s Answer to Ballooning Obamacare Premiums: Less Generous Coverage
Tens of millions of people face sticker shock enrolling in Affordable Care Act insurance for 2026. To save money, the Trump administration wants them to consider less generous coverage.
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Projected Surge in Uninsured Will Strain Local Health Systems
In South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, many people go without health insurance, and the health system struggles as a result. Similar communities dot the nation, and more could face such difficulties under President Donald Trump’s tax-and-spending law.
By Sam Whitehead and Renuka Rayasam