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.
Reposted by Julie Rovner
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
February 4, 2026 at 3:58 PM
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...
February 3, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
Awful day for journalism. And ominous day for democracy.
February 4, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
Republicans: We believe in free market capitalism
The Market: Cool. We can make money selling gender affirming shapewear.
Republicans: NO. NOT LIKE THAT!
February 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM
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.
January 31, 2026 at 9:07 PM
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
January 29, 2026 at 8:49 PM
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
January 29, 2026 at 9:13 PM
It’s so frozen the corgis don’t break through the snow!
January 26, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Mandatory corgi romping on the snow video:
January 25, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
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
January 23, 2026 at 4:45 PM
New #WTHealth podcast up: HHS spending bill; Trump's health plan; and still more vaccine news from HHS and the states. With @sherylnyt.bsky.social, @paigecunningham.bsky.social, and @sandhyawrites.bsky.social. Also @zekeemanuel.bsky.social on his new wellness book.
kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast...
Health Spending Is Moving in Congress - KFF Health News
Lawmakers appear on the brink of passing a spending bill for HHS and a bipartisan health policy bill delayed for over a year. But the outlook is bleaker for the health care outline released by Preside...
kffhealthnews.org
January 22, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
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
January 21, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
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
January 16, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
Also spotted: Funding cost-sharing reductions and ending so-called "silver loading," which will reduce overall federal spending but increase many Marketplace enrollees' after-subsidy premiums.
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.
January 15, 2026 at 5:43 PM
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
January 14, 2026 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
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
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
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...
January 9, 2026 at 9:29 PM
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
January 9, 2026 at 1:40 PM
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.)
January 8, 2026 at 10:23 PM
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
January 8, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Julie Rovner
Texas v. Johnson is about to rise from it's grave once again.
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
January 6, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Well she’s done quite a bit of AKC. Just first time at this new venue with different-looking courses…
January 4, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Aspen’s first day doing UKI agility! Fast clean run.
January 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM