KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Digesting Trump’s Big Budget Law
President Donald Trump’s big budget bill became his big budget law on July 4, codifying about $1 trillion in cuts to the Medicaid program. But the law includes many less-publicized provisions that could reshape the way the nation pays for and receives health care. Meanwhile, at the Department of Health and Human Services, uncertainty reigns as both staff and outside recipients of federal funds face cuts. Rachel Roubein of The Washington Post, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Bloomberg News join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these stories and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Julie Appleby, who reported the latest KFF Health News’ “Bill of the Month” feature, about some very pricey childhood immunizations.
Daily Edition for Thursday, July 10, 2025
Life expectancy in California, Medi-Cal, dangerous heat, immigrant health, homelessness, measles, and more are in the news.
Watch: She’s at High Risk of Breast Cancer. She Moved, and Her Screening Costs Soared.
By Caresse Jackman, InvestigateTV and Jamie Grey, InvestigateTV
This installment of InvestigateTV and KFF Health News’ “Costly Care” series explores how the type of medical facility where a patient seeks care can affect the cost of that care — particularly when that facility is a hospital.
Doulas, Once a Luxury, Are Increasingly Covered by Medicaid — Even in GOP States
By Lauren Sausser and Katheryn Houghton
Even as states brace for significant reductions in federal Medicaid funding over the next decade, conservative legislatures across the country are passing laws that grant doula access to Medicaid beneficiaries.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, July 9, 2025
UC Health, Blue Shield Of California Reach Deal, Assuring Access To Care: Tens of thousands of patients who get medical care at UCSF and five other UC Health academic medical centers statewide through Blue Shield of California can continue accessing services at in-network rates after UC Health and Blue Shield reached a contract agreement. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle and The San Diego Union-Tribune.
World’s Premier Cancer Institute Faces Crippling Cuts and Chaos
By Rachana Pradhan and Arthur Allen
After spearheading a 34% cut in cancer mortality, the National Cancer Institute at the NIH is bleeding resources and staff and could see its budget cut by nearly 40%.
An Arm and a Leg: The Prescription Drug Playbook, Part II
By Dan Weissmann
In this second part of a two-part series on dealing with the high price of prescription drugs, experts share their insider tips.
Insurers Fight State Laws Restricting Surprise Ambulance Bills
By Rae Ellen Bichell and Katheryn Houghton
A Colorado bill banning surprise billing for ambulance rides passed unanimously in both legislative chambers, only to be met with a veto from the governor. As more states pass such legislation, some are hitting the same snag — concerns about raising premiums.
Aseguradoras rechazan leyes estatales que protegen contra facturas sorpresa por uso de ambulancias
By Rae Ellen Bichell and Katheryn Houghton
Cuando una compañía de ambulancias cobra más de lo que una aseguradora está dispuesta a pagar, los pacientes pueden terminar con una factura enorme de la que no tienen escapatoria.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, July 8, 2025
California Says It Won't Comply With Order On Trans Athletes: California will not ban transgender athletes from competing in K-12 sports or change its anti-discrimination policies to exclude them, becoming the second state after Maine to defy the Trump administration. Read more from The Sacramento Bee and Los Angeles Times. Plus: The Supreme Court says it will decide next session whether states can ban trans athletes from women’s school sports. Read more from The Bay Area Reporter.
