KFF Health News

Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in zero-premium drug plans from Wellcare and other insurers lost coverage after their premiums increased and they failed to pay, leading to termination. Jude Pare, a beneficiary, faced coverage cancellation and potential life-threatening risks due to lost access to critical medication.

The Trump administration's new Medicaid work rule requires recipients to document exemptions, such as a doctor's note, to avoid losing coverage starting next year. Consumer advocates warn the policy may disproportionately affect individuals unable to meet work requirements.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed healthcare costs and political fallout on a radio show, and public health concerns related to an immigration detention center in Georgia. The article highlights two reports on healthcare affordability and ICE detention site risks.

The article discusses the challenges of the 'sandwich generation'—adults caring for both children and aging parents. It cites Pew Research data showing nearly a quarter of U.S. adults and half of those in their 40s are in this situation. Topics explored include FMLA leave, mental health for children, and early-onset cancer.

Pfizer and Valneva plan to seek approval for a new Lyme disease vaccine, following the failure of a 1990s vaccine due to lawsuits and public fear. A survey of hunters, a high-risk group for tick exposure, found mixed reactions, with some expressing interest and others seeking more information about safety and effectiveness.

A study by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals that uninsured gunshot wound victims in Florida hospitals are discharged significantly faster than insured patients, with some staying half as long. The analysis of hospital data from 2018 to 2024 shows uninsured patients, like Alea Bates who was shot seven times, often receive less comprehensive care and face barriers to rehabilitation due to financial constraints.

Florida hospitals discharge gunshot wound victims more quickly if they are uninsured, as seen in Alea Bates' case where she was sent home after four days without further diagnostic tests due to lack of health insurance. A new analysis by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals uninsured patients with gun injuries in Florida spend significantly fewer hospital days compared to insured patients.

A yearlong investigation by The Trace and KFF Health News reveals that uninsured gunshot victims in Florida have shorter hospital stays compared to insured patients. Uninsured patients averaged six days in the hospital, about three-quarters of the time for those with private insurance and less than half for Medicaid patients. Black patients were highly overrepresented, comprising nearly half of all gunshot wound hospitalizations.

Drugmakers are developing a potential new Lyme disease vaccine to prevent tick-borne illness. The article explores how the vaccine might be received in the context of vaccine skepticism, particularly among hunters.

The FDA approved a sunscreen chemical, offering a chance to restore faith in sunscreen, and rural dialysis clinics in Nebraska closed despite significant state rural health funding. Two KFF Health News contributors discussed these issues on radio programs.

The article discusses the challenges of being part of the 'sandwich generation,' balancing childcare and aging parents. KFF Health News correspondent Cara Anthony shares tips on navigating caregiving responsibilities and highlights the benefits of identifying as a caregiver to access support services. The piece emphasizes resources and community for those in this dual role.

Early-onset cancers, including colorectal and breast cancers, are rising in U.S. adults under 50. Family history is a critical risk factor, and early screenings can save lives, as demonstrated by Bryce Ramsey’s stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis at 33 and her family’s subsequent diagnoses.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed findings of medical neglect in ICE detention facilities and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s views on antidepressants. Additional segments covered the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and public health preparations for the World Cup.

A Utah pediatrician treated a newborn exposed to measles in the womb, facing parental resistance to medical intervention. Declining vaccination rates are enabling larger measles outbreaks, overwhelming public health departments and causing concern among healthcare professionals.

Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident detained by ICE, claim he is denied consistent diabetes care in an Indiana jail, leading to a 30-pound weight loss and risks of organ failure. They also allege religious harassment and inadequate medical treatment for his condition.

Céline Gounder discussed studies linking ultraprocessed foods to dementia risk, the Ebola outbreak in central Africa, U.S. health funding cuts, and GLP-1 drugs' potential to reduce breast cancer risk in women. She also addressed President Donald Trump's new medical report and creatine supplements on CBS News programs.

Hundreds of immigrant detainees across 33 states reported inadequate medical care in court filings, including untreated cancers, infections, and chronic conditions like diabetes and HIV. Detainees described delayed or denied medications, unaddressed medical emergencies, and facilities such as 'Alligator Alcatraz' lacking proper oversight.

More than 1 million children have lost insurance since 2025 under President Donald Trump's administration, with another million at risk due to immigration policies and Medicaid rule changes. The GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill Act has led to higher premiums, confusion over coverage, and falling enrollment in Affordable Care Act and Medicaid programs, leaving nearly 2 million children uninsured.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is seeking access to Americans' medical records to investigate a link between vaccines and autism, a claim the medical community has long dismissed. Public health leaders have raised concerns about the legality and utility of the data, while President Donald Trump has supported Kennedy's vaccine safety doubts with an executive order reducing recommended childhood vaccines.

KFF Health News and The Associated Press analyzed immigration habeas corpus claims to identify allegations of medical neglect in ICE detention centers during the second Trump administration. They reviewed 33,000 cases, finding 500 with potential medical neglect claims, and manually verified over 300 cases with specific allegations of inadequate healthcare.

Hundreds of ICE detainees across 33 U.S. states allege medical neglect in federal lawsuits, including delayed or denied treatments for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. Detainees reported severe consequences such as untreated infections, self-extracted teeth, and hospitalizations, with ICE custody deaths reaching a 20-year high since Trump's second administration began.

KFF Health News and The Associated Press are investigating allegations of medical neglect at ICE detention centers during the second Trump administration. The focus is on how medical care was handled in these facilities under that administration.

Detainees in U.S. immigration facilities across 33 states allege medical neglect, including untreated infections, denied medications, and delayed care for chronic conditions like diabetes and HIV. Federal lawsuits and interviews reveal systemic failures in providing timely healthcare, with ICE detaining over 75,000 immigrants as of mid-January 2024.

Céline Gounder, KFF Health News’ editor-at-large for public health, discussed research-grade peptides, new colorectal cancer screening guidelines, and the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on CBS Mornings. The article highlights her appearances on May 26 and 27 addressing these public health topics.

The article highlights a growing number of overdoses linked to GLP-1 weight loss drugs, as reported in an investigative piece by NBC News in collaboration with KFF Health News.

The latest KFF Health News Minute discusses suicide prevention experts advocating for improved financial well-being to reduce suicide rates and the Trump administration's proposal to relax AI safeguards in healthcare to accelerate innovation.

Montana plans to enforce President Donald Trump’s Medicaid work requirements ahead of the federal deadline, aiming to address budget challenges. The policy changes, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, require Medicaid enrollees to work or attend school 80 hours monthly, raising concerns about reduced coverage and strained healthcare access.

Journalists from KFF Health News discussed recent developments on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Georgia's debate over midwife licensing, and California Governor Gavin Newsom's budget rollbacks. Céline Gounder addressed Ebola-related plane diversions and global health emergency declarations, while Renuka Rayasam, Angela Hart, and Christine Mai-Duc covered midwife licensing, budget changes, and Medicaid funding.

President Trump's immigration crackdown is causing families to separate, with parents facing ICE detention or deportation. Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. are allowing families to designate temporary guardians to keep children out of foster care, which increases family reunification chances and reduces trauma.

Senator Tammy Baldwin discusses the ongoing fight between President Donald Trump and Congress over control of federal spending, and the success of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline has led to a notable reduction in youth suicide. Baldwin highlights the need for guardrails to ensure proper spending of taxpayer dollars.

KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner discussed federal policy on vaccine research and vaping, while editor-at-large Céline Gounder talked about rising drug prices despite TrumpRx hopes. Rovner also covered the Supreme Court decision on the abortion pill mifepristone. These discussions were featured on various news programs.

In Georgia and six other states, certified professional midwives who assist with home births are not licensed and may face legal consequences, despite a rising demand for their services. The number of intended home births increased by 42% nationally from 2020 to 2024. Midwifery advocates argue that regulating the practice with licenses would make home births safer.

Céline Gounder discusses the recent hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship, explaining the risks and transmission of the disease. She shares her thoughts on travel worries and compares hantavirus to Covid-19. The WHO states the public risk is 'absolutely low'.

The article explains key health insurance terms to help individuals navigate their plans, including deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, copays, and coinsurance. It also covers surprise bills and prior authorizations. The article is part of KFF Health News' in-depth journalism on health issues.

Céline Gounder and Elisabeth Rosenthal discussed health issues on various news programs, including a hantavirus outbreak and emergency room crisis. They appeared on PBS NewsHour, Fox's LiveNow From Fox, CBS News' CBS Mornings, and NPR's Morning Edition. The discussions highlighted the severity of the health crises in the US.

The Trump administration is seeking unredacted federal worker health data from insurers, alarming health policy and legal experts, lawmakers, and insurance executives. The Office of Personnel Management's request would give the government detailed personal and health information. This move has raised concerns about how this personal information would be handled.

Céline Gounder discussed baby formula safety and estrogen patch shortages on CBS News, while Renuka Rayasam talked about postcancer care costs on WUGA's The Georgia Health Report. They also shared their findings through KFF Health News articles. These discussions highlight current health issues and concerns.

Suicide prevention efforts are expanding to focus on broader factors beyond mental illness, including economic and social support. A growing movement is asking what went wrong in the world around a person, rather than just what happened in their mind. This approach is supported by decades of research showing that interventions improving people's lives can reduce suicide.

State officials are uncertain about enforcing Trump's Medicaid work requirements, with a deadline of January 1, 2027, and are taking various approaches, including using artificial intelligence. The new work rules require Medicaid beneficiaries to work or participate in qualifying activities for at least 80 hours each month. Federal guidance is not expected until June.

Democratic lawmakers are demanding the Trump administration halt its plan to collect federal workers' medical records, following a report by KFF Health News. They have urged the Office of Personnel Management to withdraw the request.