Daily Edition for Friday, October 24, 2025
CalFresh Benefits Will Be Delayed: The California Department of Social Services confirmed Thursday that it expects CalFresh to go dark starting Nov. 1 as a result of the federal government shutdown. Roughly 5.5 million Californians soon could be scrambling for food. Read more from KQED and The Orange County Register. Plus, advice for SNAP recipients.
GOP Talking Point Holds ACA Is Haunted by ‘Phantom’ Enrollees, but the Devil’s in the Data
By Victoria Knight
Enhanced Affordable Care Act marketplace subsidies have emerged as a flash point in the congressional standoff over the federal government shutdown. Republicans point to what they characterize as increasing amounts of fraud as a reason to hold up the subsidies. But there are two sides to the story.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Nutrition Programs Face Their Own Shutdown
Two major nutrition programs — SNAP and WIC — are likely to exhaust their funding in November, and the furloughs and firings at the CDC have left the agency unable to perform some of its major functions. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s new IVF policy is being met with dissatisfaction from both sides. Shefali Luthra of The 19th, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Katheryn Houghton, who wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.
Daily Edition for Thursday, October 23, 2025
California National Guard Will Help Food Banks: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that he will deploy the California National Guard and state volunteers on a humanitarian mission to food banks in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The National Guard will not be acting as law enforcement; it held a similar role during the covid pandemic. Read more from KTLA. Scroll down for more on the federal shutdown.
When a Hearing Aid Isn’t Enough
By Paula Span
More older adults have turned to cochlear implants after Medicare expanded eligibility for the devices.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, October 22, 2025
SD County Again Will Try To Buy Land For Homeless Shelter: San Diego County will begin negotiating with the state to buy land that can host a new homeless shelter after the federal government derailed an earlier effort to lease the property. The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to begin the process of purchasing the plot at 2800 Sweetwater Road. Read more from The San Diego Union-Tribune.
A New Car vs. Health Insurance? Average Family Job-Based Coverage Hits $27K
By Phil Galewitz
KFF data shows that 2025 marked the first time in two decades that the annual cost of covering a family of four rose by 6% or more for three consecutive years.
Despite the Hoopla, Vaccines Should Be in Reach This Cough-and-Cold Season
By Michelle Andrews
Recommendations surrounding covid vaccinations and other such shots have been confusing. Ultimately, though, little has changed. Here’s what you need to know.
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Daily Edition for Tuesday, October 21, 2025
SNAP Benefits Will Be Delayed Unless Shutdown Ends This Week, Newsom Warns: Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stark warning Monday that food assistance benefits for millions of low-income Californians could be delayed starting Nov. 1 if the ongoing federal shutdown does not end by Thursday. Read more from the Los Angeles Times and KQED.
