Health Care Costs
Montana’s Small Pharmacies Behind Bill To Corral Pharmacy Benefit Managers
HELENA, Mont. — Montana’s small, independent pharmacies say they’re getting increasingly squeezed on reimbursements by pharmacy benefit managers — and are pushing an ambitious bill to rein in what they say are unfair practices by the powerful industry negotiators known as PBMs. “Who in their right mind would subject themselves to this sort of treatment […]
Their Physical Therapy Coverage Ran Out Before They Could Walk Again
Mari Villar was slammed by a car that jumped the curb, breaking her legs and collapsing a lung. Amy Paulo was in pain from a femur surgery that wasn’t healing properly. Katie Kriegshauser suffered organ failure during pregnancy, weakening her so much that she couldn’t lift her baby daughter. All went to physical therapy, but […]
He Had Short-Term Health Insurance. His Colonoscopy Bill: $7,000.
Tim Winard knew he needed to buy health insurance when he left his management job in manufacturing to launch his own business. It was the first time he had shopped around for coverage, searching for a plan that would cover him and his wife, who was also between jobs at the time. “We were so […]
Con pocos dentistas y el flúor en el banquillo, zonas rurales corren el riesgo de una nueva oleada de caries
En las tierras altas boscosas del norte de Arkansas, donde los pueblos pequeños tienen pocos dentistas, los funcionarios del agua que atienden a más de 20.000 personas han desafiado abiertamente la ley estatal durante más de una década al negarse a aregar flúor al agua potable. Por su negativa, la Ozark Mountain Regional Public Water […]
Many People With Disabilities Risk Losing Their Medicaid if They Work Too Much
PLEASANTVILLE, Iowa — Zach Mecham has heard politicians demand that Medicaid recipients work or lose their benefits. He also has run into a jumble of Medicaid rules that effectively prevent many people with disabilities from holding full-time jobs. “Which is it? Do you want us to work or not?” he said. Mecham, 31, relies on […]
Bill That Congressman Says Protects Medicaid Doesn’t — And Would Likely Require Cutting It
“On Feb. 25, I voted yes on a budget resolution that protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid while cutting some spending elsewhere.” Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), in a YouTube video posted March 4, 2025 On Feb. 25, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) voted in favor of a House budget resolution that calls for sharp cuts in […]
Medicaid Cuts Would Kneecap Health Services, Tribal Leaders Warn
While Congress considers potentially massive cuts to federal Medicaid funding, tribal health leaders are bracing for a crisis. Indian Country has a unique relationship to Medicaid, because the program helps tribes cover chronic funding shortfalls left by the Indian Health Service, the federal agency responsible for providing health care to Native Americans. With the related […]
In New York, Providers Must Put Patient Costs on the Table
The routine is familiar for most people: When checking in for an appointment with a doctor or other health care provider, patients typically complete and sign a pile of paperwork, including a form that contains some version of the statement, “I agree to pay for all charges not covered by my insurance company.” Patients may […]
Tribal Health Leaders Say Medicaid Cuts Would Decimate Health Programs
As Congress mulls potentially massive cuts to federal Medicaid funding, health centers that serve Native American communities, such as the Oneida Community Health Center near Green Bay, Wisconsin, are bracing for catastrophe. That’s because more than 40% of the about 15,000 patients the center serves are enrolled in Medicaid. Cuts to the program would be […]
The Cutting Continues
The Host Julie Rovner KFF Health News @jrovner @julierovner.bsky.social Read Julie’s stories. Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News’ weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health?” A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the critically praised reference book “Health Care Politics and Policy A […]