Julie Rovner
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julierovner.bsky.social
Julie Rovner
@julierovner.bsky.social

Chief Washington Correspondent KFF Health News, Host "What the Health?" podcast/horseperson/corgimomx2/unapologetic Michigan fan.

Julie Rovner is an American journalist and author. Currently the Chief Washington Correspondent for Kaiser Health News (KHN) and host of its podcast, "What the Health", Rovner previously reported for National Public Radio, National Journal's Congress Daily, Congressional Quarterly, and The Lancet. .. more

Public Health 35%
Economics 33%

Whatever you think of the Washington Post at this moment, here's a chance to support the dedicated, hard-working journalists who were just laid off. If you have the means, your donation is most welcome. If you don't, a kind thought and maybe spreading the word to others is support enough 💙
Donate to Washington Post 2026 layoff fund, organized by Rachel Siegel
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, The Washington Post laid off hundreds of journalists. We ar… Rachel Siegel needs your support for Washington Post 2026 layoff fund
www.gofundme.com
Seven years ago yesterday, this ad ran during the Super Bowl.
'Democracy Dies in Darkness': Super Bowl commercial (2019)
YouTube video by Washington Post
www.youtube.com

Reposted by Julie Rovner

Lawmakers in Florida (a non-expansion state) are apparently considering a Medicaid work requirements bill.

Except Florida's income eligibility thresholds are so low that forcing people to meet an 80-hour/month requirement would force them off of the program.

floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/03/m...

Reposted by Julie Rovner

The FDA is targeting companies that sell gender-affirming shapewear.
FDA Targets Gender-Affirming Garments, Warning Companies that Serve Trans Customers
At least 12 companies received letters from the agency stating that the gender-affirming compression garments are medical devices and require compliance with strict federal regulations.
rewirenewsgroup.com

Super proud of this run even though Aspen knocked a bar and didn’t qualify. Also super happy to get out of the house after a week frozen in.

On this week's #WTHealth podcast: How ICE is impacting health care (literally and politically) and why anti-abortion groups are unhappy with the Trump admin. With @rachelroubein.bsky.social, @alicemiranda.bsky.social, and Maya Goldman.
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
The Hazards of ICE for Public Health - KFF Health News
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is not just roiling politics but also directly affecting the provision of health care, medical groups say. Meanwhile, in Washington, federal spending b...
kffhealthnews.org

Reposted by Julie Rovner

LISTEN: The actions of federal ICE agents are having ramifications far beyond immigration. In Washington, the backlash from a second fatal shooting by agents in Minnesota has stalled action on an eleventh-hour suite of spending bills.

@julierovner.bsky.social 🎙️ kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
The Hazards of ICE for Public Health - KFF Health News
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is not just roiling politics but also directly affecting the provision of health care, medical groups say. Meanwhile, in Washington, federal spending b...
kffhealthnews.org

Reposted by David L. Anderson

It’s so frozen the corgis don’t break through the snow!

Mandatory corgi romping on the snow video:
With abortions still on the rise nationwide, curtailing mifepristone is a top priority for abortion opponents — and they’re frustrated that the Trump administration isn’t doing more to limit its use.

@julierovner.bsky.social reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Why Medication Abortion Is the Top Target for Anti-Abortion Groups in 2026 - KFF Health News
With abortions still on the rise nationwide despite widespread bans, curtailing the use of pregnancy-terminating medication is a top priority for abortion opponents — and they’re frustrated that the T...
kffhealthnews.org

BREAKING: Immigration officers are asserting sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, a memo obtained by AP says.
Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge's warrant, memo says
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press reveals that the agency allows immigration officers to forcibly enter homes to make arrests without a judicial warrant.
bit.ly
Super illuminating conversation with the great @stevevladeck.bsky.social about what's holding Trump back from invoking the Insurrection Act and what happens if he pulls the trigger: slate.com/news-and-pol...
There’s a Key Reason Why Trump Hasn’t Invoked the Insurrection Act Yet
The president’s position is an extraordinary threat to free speech and state sovereignty.
slate.com

President Trump is suggesting here that people could use government subsidies to buy insurance that doesn’t comply with ACA rules, including coverage of pre-existing conditions. That could lower costs for healthy people, but send the ACA marketplace into a death spiral.

Reposted by Julie Rovner

A mother describes the pain of losing her son to a disease that's now preventable by vaccines -- but which the CDC no longer universally recommends. A heartbreaking story by a talented writer and strong woman.
substack.com/inbox/post/1...
A brief, shining time
One of my sons died of a disease that later became vaccine preventable. But now that and other vaccines have been struck from the recommended list for children.
substack.com
A few months ago, ICE hired me

I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable

And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"

My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
New in the Federal Register, CMS has taken the next regulatory step toward withholding federal Medicaid dollars from Minnesota, following its January 6 letter to Walz

public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-00512.p...

Reposted by Julie Rovner

News: The 5 blue states targeted by the Trump administration for a childcare funding freeze (NY, CA, CO, IL, MN) have sued to block it and are requesting a TRO

Reposted by Julie Rovner

17 Republicans voting with Democrats to cleanly extend the ACA enhanced subsidies is nearly double the number who signed the discharge petition along with Democrats to force the vote (9)

(Note that the bill the Senate is considering is not a clean extension.)

our first #WTHealth podcast of 2026 now up! @alicemiranda.bsky.social, @laurenweberhp.bsky.social and @sarahkarlin-smith.bsky.social join me to break down the latest on the ACA fight, changes to the vaccine schedule and food pyramid, and more.
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
New Year, Same Health Fight - KFF Health News
Congress returned from its break facing a familiar question: whether to extend the expanded subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans that expired at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Rob...
kffhealthnews.org
Department of Interior says if you put a sticker over Trump's face on your national park entrance pass, the pass will be invalidated.
Meanwhile Trump's decision to put his face on the passes is being challenged in court
DOI cracks down on stickers covering Trump's face on national park passes
Park passes with protest stickers are facing new scrutiny.
www.sfgate.com

Well she’s done quite a bit of AKC. Just first time at this new venue with different-looking courses…

Aspen’s first day doing UKI agility! Fast clean run.

How I’m spending my time off:
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…

* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M

So YES this has been a huge success.
Bill Clinton releasing a statement saying 'release the Epstein files, you cowards' was not on my bingo list.

Reposted by Julie Rovner

Reposted by Julie Rovner

At least 20 people who have received clemency from President Trump so far this year were also forgiven of financial penalties totaling tens of millions of dollars.

Some of these offenders owed money to real-life victims of fraud.
Trump’s pardons wipe out payments to defrauded victims
In addition to clearing prison sentences, the president’s clemency actions have erased millions in restitution payments.
wapo.st