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As ICE moved in, Minnesotans set up a shadow medical system. It’s a lesson for other cities.
Arthur Allen and Kate Wells, KFF Health News, March 5
When Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents descended on Minneapolis, many people became too fearful to seek medical care. Minnesota medical systems reported cancellation and no-show rates as high as 60% since December. In response, doctors and nurses have quietly operated informal, underground medical networks to care for patients at home. Clinicians say home visits may be the only way to reach those who feel unsafe, and other communities should prepare for similar challenges.
Trump’s Medicaid work mandates are meant to save money. But first states will have to spend millions
David A. Lieb, The Associated Press, March 1
Before new Medicaid work requirements take effect, states will need to spend millions of dollars upgrading their computer systems to enforce them. Starting January 1, some adults will soon have to show they are working, volunteering or taking classes, to receive Medicaid health coverage. States are tasked with gathering that proof, which will require several updates and additional staff. The federal government has allocated $200 million to be distributed to states to help implement the new requirements, but costs will likely exceed $1 billion.
What Americans sacrifice due to high health costs
Adriel Bettelheim, Axios, March 12
An estimated tens of millions of Americans have delayed surgeries, vacation plans, career moves, and other big life decisions because of the cost of health care, according to a new survey. Researchers estimate that nearly 70 million Americans delayed surgery or another medical treatment over the period studied. Forgoing care can make people sicker and require more procedures, tests, drugs, and more. One-third of those surveyed said they have made a financial trade-off like taking out a loan to pay for health care or medicine in the last 12 months.
More kids are in ERs for tooth pain. Trump cuts and RFK Jr.’s anti-fluoride fight aren’t helping.
Farrell Brenner and Angela Y. Zhang, KFF Health News, March 10
Across the country, more kids are going to emergency departments for preventable tooth problems. Experts say the trend is due to a shortage of pediatric dental care professionals in rural areas and worsening oral hygiene since the COVID-19 pandemic. Policy changes could make the problem worse. Federal cuts to Medicaid may force states to limit or drop dental coverage from their programs. Research shows that when parents lose Medicaid, even kids with coverage are more likely to have untreated cavities and less likely to go to a dentist. The administration has also promoted skepticism about fluoride, which dramatically reduces tooth decay and prevents cavities.
US maternal deaths fell in 2024 and may have dropped again last year, government data shows
Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press, March 4
Fewer U.S. women died around the time of childbirth in 2024 than in the previous year, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maternal deaths have declined since peaking in 2021 and 2022, when rates reached their highest levels in 50 years. Maternal deaths spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic because the coronavirus was particularly dangerous for pregnant women and burned-out doctors may have ignored pregnant women’s worries. The U.S. still has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations and wide racial disparities persist.