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What the Health? From ��ýҕ�l Health News

Midterm Madness

Episode 466

Oct. 8, 2026

A new KFF poll suggests that health costs are still a top concern for voters and that Democrats have the edge over Republicans on the issue. And in an apparent attempt to close the gap, President Donald Trump is sending checks to millions of Medicare and Affordable Care Act enrollees. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Sun join ��ýҕ�l Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also, Rovner interviews Michelle Andrews, who wrote the latest ��ýҕ�l Health News “Bill of the Month.”

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A photo of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Abdul El-Sayed, and Bernie Sanders on stage at a rally. The three are holding hands with their arms raised.

News analysis

‘Medicare for All’ Is Back. Now Comes the Hard Part.

At a time when more than 100 million Americans carry medical debt, it’s easy to get behind a promise of free, or free-ish, no-hassle health care. But turning an inspirational slogan into law gets gnarly.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Oct. 8, 2026

A doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope stands in front of a staircase and a sign that reads "Monrovia Health Center"

Hidden Help

Medical Debt Is Crushing Hospital Patients in Los Angeles. Health Officials May Have a Fix.

In Los Angeles County, the nation’s most populous, a new system could screen hospital patients for financial aid, preventing hundreds of thousands from getting bills they can’t pay.

By Noam N. Levey

Oct. 8, 2026

A photo of Christina Starks-Clay standing outside on a sunny day. She is leaning against a tree.

‘Medicare for All’ Message Attracts Voters Buckling Under Medical Bills

The idea of scrapping the U.S. health insurance system for a massive expansion of government-funded healthcare isn’t new. But voters hit by ballooning private health insurance costs are rallying behind midterm candidates calling for universal coverage.

By Kate Wells

Oct. 7, 2026

HealthQ

Before Saying Yes to the Medical Test, Know the Risks and Benefits

Tests like full-body scans marketed directly to consumers are pitched as a way to detect diseases early and establish a baseline of health markers. But there are financial, physical, and psychological risks to all medical tests — and in some cases, not getting a test could be better for your health.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio, Cara Anthony, and Katherine Ruppelt, Nashville Public Radio

Oct. 6, 2026

An Arm and a Leg

Medicare Is More Broken Than We Thought

Season 16, Episode 2

Oct. 5, 2026

At least 2 million seniors will receive notice this fall that their Medicare Advantage plans will disappear at year’s end, some without a comparable alternative. Here’s a look at this increasingly common problem with Medicare Advantage, and what it says about Medicare as a whole.

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A photo of a man standing in the woods seen on a laptop.

Denied

Patient Dies by Suicide After ‘Insurance Issue’ Delayed Medicine for Lung Disease Flare-Ups

Hours after experiencing a flare-up related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Kenney Blewett of Kyle, Texas, died by suicide in June. A medication his doctor prescribed days earlier to ease his breathing problems hadn’t been filled due to an “insurance issue,” his pharmacy explained via email.

By Lauren Sausser

Oct. 2, 2026

Plastic lawn signs that say "Health Care Is A Human Right" line a sidewalk. In the background, a tent with information about Oregon Healthcare For All is visible.

Midterms Have Revived Universal Healthcare Debate. These States Are Ahead of Everyone.

While Democratic congressional candidates are floating the restoration of federal Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid funding, Oregon officials are crafting a more ambitious plan to implement universal coverage in their state.

By Markian Hawryluk

Oct. 2, 2026

What the Health? From ��ýҕ�l Health News

The MAHA Metamorphosis

Episode 465

Oct. 1, 2026

The Make America Healthy Again movement held a shindig in Washington, D.C., this week. But rather than moms arguing to get chemicals out of their kids’ food, the room was full of Trump administration officials and industry representatives looking to promote health-related products. Meanwhile, the administration for the second year in a row is refusing to spend money Congress appropriated. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Rachana Pradhan of ��ýҕ�l Health News, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join ��ýҕ�l Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also, Rovner interviews Aaron Carroll of AcademyHealth.

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A man stands in front of an altar inside a church.

Rural MAHA Followers Say Trump Health Policies Haven’t Reached Their Communities

President Donald Trump has championed sprawling health policy changes under the Make America Healthy Again movement, but a KFF-Associated Press survey of rural voters found people aren’t seeing the initiatives reach their communities.

By Ali Swenson, The Associated Press, Sarah Jane Tribble, and Linley Sanders, The Associated Press

Sept. 30, 2026

A senior woman is lying on her back in bed and looking up at the camera.

Memory Gaps

Drugs Are Widely Used To Sedate Dementia Patients. Her Sons Wanted To Keep Her Off Them.

Potent sedating medications are often used on agitated people with dementia in long-term care facilities despite federal efforts to discourage their use. A clash over whether to drug a Michigan woman illuminates the wrenching decisions families and guardians face.

By Jordan Rau

Sept. 30, 2026

A photo of Rep. Mary Caferro speaking at a podium. Behind her stand several women holding signs that read, "Keep the care in healthcare," and "Medicaid saves lives. Hands off Medicaid."

Confusion and Angst Follow State’s Early Rollout of Medicaid Work Rules

In most states, people with Medicaid coverage will have to prove they’re working, volunteering, or studying starting Jan. 1. But Montana put the rules into effect early, and they’re sowing uncertainty and anxiety.

By Aaron Bolton, MTPR

Sept. 29, 2026

A photo of a couple seated at a table. Amye Joseph holds a piece of paper.

Common Ground

Republicans and Democrats Find a Unifying Target: Pharmacy Benefit Managers

Some states have considered barring companies that own a PBM from also owning brick-and-mortar pharmacies, as CVS does. Two states have followed through. A similar proposal at the federal level has gained prominent sponsors, aligning conservative, business-friendly Republicans with Democrats traditionally more open to government regulation.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

Sept. 28, 2026

The Week in Brief

Healthcare Workers Have To Pay for Insurance, Too. And They’re Also Feeling the Pinch.

Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.

By Hayat Norimine

Sept. 25, 2026

What the Health? From ��ýҕ�l Health News

Healthcare a Vague but Potent Issue for Election 2026

Episode 464

Sept. 24, 2026

Healthcare in general, and health costs in particular, are a top issue for voters in 2026. But it remains unclear exactly how voters want lawmakers to fix the problem. Meanwhile, the Trump administration doubled down on its fraud-fighting efforts. Tami Luhby of CNN, Joanne Kenen of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Politico Magazine, and Sarah Jane Tribble of ��ýҕ�l Health News join ��ýҕ�l Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more.

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The New Old Age

Nursing Home Beds Are Becoming More Scarce

As the oldest baby boomers turn 80, researchers worry there won’t be enough room in nursing facilities for a rapidly graying nation.

By Paula Span

Sept. 23, 2026

Insurance Coverage Lags as Cancer Science, Treatment Move Forward

“Brain cancer” or “H4 G34-mutant”? As knowledge about genetics advances, some doctors say cancers should be defined by their mutations, not the tissues where they manifest.

By Arthur Allen

Sept. 22, 2026

A woman and man sit indoors in an office.

Priced Out

As Health Insurance Costs Soar, Healthcare Workers Also Feel the Pinch

Like many Americans, Joshua and Ashley Durham saw their health insurance premiums rise by hundreds of dollars a month this year. Despite being healthcare practitioners all too aware of the risks, they chose to go uninsured. Others, though, can’t afford to go without.

By Hayat Norimine

Sept. 22, 2026

The Week in Brief

A Cancer Survivor Lost Coverage. Medicaid Work Rules Prompt Fears of Similar Stories To Come.

Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.

By Katheryn Houghton

Sept. 18, 2026

What the Health? From ��ýҕ�l Health News

The Health Risks of AI

Episode 463

Sept. 17, 2026

Reports from a top AI company that it found and stopped attempted uses of its product to manufacture a potential bioweapon caught the attention of lawmakers in Washington this week. Meanwhile, President Trump wants to send $500 checks to about a million Obamacare enrollees. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join ��ýҕ�l Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Sabrina Corlette of the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms.

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