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Dental tourism is booming amid Trump admin Medicaid cuts
Farrell Brenner, Talking Points Memo, June 15
Arizona’s Medicaid program does not offer adult dental benefits, so Isabel Flores has traveled across the border to Mexico for dental care several times. She questions the level of care she receives, but doesn’t feel like she has another choice. Now, the Trump administration’s health care policies are pushing more people like Isabel to consider unorthodox or even risky alternatives for health and dental care. Cuts to Medicaid are already prompting states whose programs do cover dental care to eliminate or reduce that coverage to trim their budgets.
Backed by threat of clawbacks, feds wield tight grip on $50B rural health fund
Sarah Jane Tribble and Arielle Zionts, KFF Health News, June 16
State health officials in Maine had hoped to use new federal rural health funding to help treat low-income, uninsured patients and shield hospitals and clinics from the fallout caused by cuts to federal health programs. But federal leaders overseeing the five-year $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program said no. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also has the power to rescind existing funds or reduce future awards if states don’t follow rules or meet their goals outlined in their proposals. Advocates say that threat has caused fear and confusion, and they worry it will prevent organizations from applying for the grant money.
About 110,000 poor CT adults could lose Medicaid coverage
Keith M. Phaneuf and Katy Golvala, The Connecticut Mirror, June 17
An estimated 110,000 people in Connecticut are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage under new federal work rules set to take effect in January. Many of those who will have to prove they work at least 80 hours a month or participate in other approved activities struggle with disabilities or chronic illnesses. A new federal definition of “medical frailty” only exacerbates the problem. Officials are now trying to prevent a swell in uninsured patients forced to seek care through emergency departments, while also fearing the financial strain it could place on hospitals.
Nearly half of adults struggled to afford health care last year, survey finds
Nada Hassanein, Stateline, June 11
A new report found that 46% of U.S. adults — regardless of insurance type — reported struggling to afford health care last year. More than a third of people surveyed said a family member had unmet health care needs because of costs. The report also found disparities in care affordability. The majority of Black and Hispanic adults reported struggling to afford care, compared to about 42% of white adults and 28% of Asian adults. People living in the South, where several states have not expanded Medicaid eligibility, were also more likely to report affordability challenges.
The US infant mortality rate fell to an all-time low, though it still trails other similar nations
Mike Stobbe, The Associated Press, June 16
Infant mortality in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low in 2025, according to new data. Infant mortality is the measure of how many babies die before reaching their first birthday. The rate has been declining over the last few years, but has remained worse than other high-income countries. Infant mortality in the U.S. also continues to differ by race. Death rates for infants born to Black women were more than twice as high as those for the infants of Hispanic, white and Asian American women.