Bram Sable-Smith
@realbrambo.bsky.social
Writing about abortion, guns, insulin, trans health care and the Midwest for KFF Health News
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Bram Sable-Smith
@realbrambo.bsky.social
· Jun 30
To keep Medicaid, a mom caring for her disabled adult son may soon need to prove she works
Republicans have touted Medicaid work requirements both as a way to reduce federal spending on the program and as a moral imperative for Americans.
www.nbcnews.com
NEW: Under GOP budget bill, 18.5 million Americans would need to prove they work to keep their Medicaid coverage.
One of them is likely a Kansas City woman who already had to make an excruciating choice due to Medicaid rules: give up guardianship of her disabled son to work as his caregiver.
One of them is likely a Kansas City woman who already had to make an excruciating choice due to Medicaid rules: give up guardianship of her disabled son to work as his caregiver.
My latest for NPR.
Send us your health care headaches and we'll send our sleuths out to puzzle through it so you don't have to: www.npr.org/2025/08/21/g...
Send us your health care headaches and we'll send our sleuths out to puzzle through it so you don't have to: www.npr.org/2025/08/21/g...
Patients sometimes find themselves scrambling for affordable care when their insurer and hospital get into a contract dispute. Here are six things to know if that happens to you.
6 things to know if your doctors are suddenly out of network
Patients sometimes find themselves scrambling for affordable care when their insurer and hospital get into a contract dispute. Here are six things to know if that happens to you.
n.pr
October 30, 2025 at 9:16 PM
My latest for NPR.
Send us your health care headaches and we'll send our sleuths out to puzzle through it so you don't have to: www.npr.org/2025/08/21/g...
Send us your health care headaches and we'll send our sleuths out to puzzle through it so you don't have to: www.npr.org/2025/08/21/g...
Ready for Halloween!
October 30, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Ready for Halloween!
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
There are two different KFF numbers about the ACA out there. Both are accurate, but mean different things.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.
October 29, 2025 at 8:01 PM
There are two different KFF numbers about the ACA out there. Both are accurate, but mean different things.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.
114%: The average increase in out-of-pocket premiums if enhanced tax credits expire.
26%: The average increase in what insurers are charging for benchmark ACA plans.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
We estimate the average ACA enrollee will see their out-of-pocket premium increase by 114%. But, it will vary a lot based on age, income, family size, and zip code. I'd be interested in what you're seeing if you're an ACA enrollee and log on to the marketplace. Please reply here.
October 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
We estimate the average ACA enrollee will see their out-of-pocket premium increase by 114%. But, it will vary a lot based on age, income, family size, and zip code. I'd be interested in what you're seeing if you're an ACA enrollee and log on to the marketplace. Please reply here.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
When is the point of no return for extending ACA tax credits?
They expire 12/31, so that’s a drop dead date.
Open enrollment starts November 1. If they’re not extended by then, enrollees may start dropping out. Even if open enrollment is extended, people could be hard to reach.
They expire 12/31, so that’s a drop dead date.
Open enrollment starts November 1. If they’re not extended by then, enrollees may start dropping out. Even if open enrollment is extended, people could be hard to reach.
October 20, 2025 at 5:33 PM
When is the point of no return for extending ACA tax credits?
They expire 12/31, so that’s a drop dead date.
Open enrollment starts November 1. If they’re not extended by then, enrollees may start dropping out. Even if open enrollment is extended, people could be hard to reach.
They expire 12/31, so that’s a drop dead date.
Open enrollment starts November 1. If they’re not extended by then, enrollees may start dropping out. Even if open enrollment is extended, people could be hard to reach.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
October 15, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
KFF analysis finds 27% of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers got health insurance through the individual market in 2023, which is mostly (over 90%) made up of the ACA Marketplaces.
🔗: https://on.kff.org/46A1Crt
🔗: https://on.kff.org/46A1Crt
October 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM
KFF analysis finds 27% of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers got health insurance through the individual market in 2023, which is mostly (over 90%) made up of the ACA Marketplaces.
🔗: https://on.kff.org/46A1Crt
🔗: https://on.kff.org/46A1Crt
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
"We are hurting ourselves in North Carolina way ahead of the game, way before we need to do this," NC's former Chief Medical Officer told me.
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit - KFF Health News
North Carolina and Idaho are cutting their Medicaid programs to bridge budget gaps, raising fears that providers will stop taking patients and that hospitals will close even before the brunt of a new ...
kffhealthnews.org
September 22, 2025 at 8:19 PM
"We are hurting ourselves in North Carolina way ahead of the game, way before we need to do this," NC's former Chief Medical Officer told me.
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reporting w/ @realbrambo.bsky.social for @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
🚨 "Sick to my stomach."
That's how the researcher who found a link between Tylenol and autism felt when she realized MAHA would link her analysis to vaccines.
My latest exclusive @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
That's how the researcher who found a link between Tylenol and autism felt when she realized MAHA would link her analysis to vaccines.
My latest exclusive @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
‘Sick to My Stomach’: Trump Distorts Facts on Autism, Tylenol, and Vaccines, Scientists Say - KFF Health News
The White House’s autism announcement exaggerates links to Tylenol, misleads on vaccines, and sets back the field by ignoring decades of research, scientists say.
kffhealthnews.org
September 23, 2025 at 2:47 AM
🚨 "Sick to my stomach."
That's how the researcher who found a link between Tylenol and autism felt when she realized MAHA would link her analysis to vaccines.
My latest exclusive @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
That's how the researcher who found a link between Tylenol and autism felt when she realized MAHA would link her analysis to vaccines.
My latest exclusive @kffhealthnews.org
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
NEW: Trump's signature legislation is cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid. But even before those cuts hits, states are slashing their programs.
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit - KFF Health News
North Carolina and Idaho are cutting their Medicaid programs to bridge budget gaps, raising fears that providers will stop taking patients and that hospitals will close even before the brunt of a new ...
kffhealthnews.org
September 22, 2025 at 4:35 PM
NEW: Trump's signature legislation is cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid. But even before those cuts hits, states are slashing their programs.
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
It's already making it harder for one North Carolina mom to find care for her disabled son
w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
We previously reported that the number of people receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center - known as America's research hospital - declined from February-April.
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Patient Numbers at NIH Hospital Continue To Decline Under Second Trump Administration
YouTube video by KFF Health News
youtube.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
We previously reported that the number of people receiving treatment at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center - known as America's research hospital - declined from February-April.
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Since then, I obtained newer data through mid-August. And it's gotten worse. youtube.com/shorts/yT5Vc...
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
The Trump administration announces it is making "affordable" ACA plans available to certain groups of people, including those who lose eligibility for tax credits slated to expire at the end of the year.
These plans have lower premiums, but deductibles of over $10,000.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
These plans have lower premiums, but deductibles of over $10,000.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
September 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The Trump administration announces it is making "affordable" ACA plans available to certain groups of people, including those who lose eligibility for tax credits slated to expire at the end of the year.
These plans have lower premiums, but deductibles of over $10,000.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
These plans have lower premiums, but deductibles of over $10,000.
www.cms.gov/newsroom/pre...
NEW: Feel like you're reading more about hospitals fighting with insurers and even stranding patients out of network?
It's not your imagination. Almost 1 in 5 hospitals had a brawl with an insurer in the past 4 years.
Trump admin cuts mean we're likely to see even more...
It's not your imagination. Almost 1 in 5 hospitals had a brawl with an insurer in the past 4 years.
Trump admin cuts mean we're likely to see even more...
Americans increasingly find themselves caught in disputes between hospitals and insurance companies.
@realbrambo.bsky.social writes that the fights could become more common as hospitals brace for cuts from Trump policies. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
@realbrambo.bsky.social writes that the fights could become more common as hospitals brace for cuts from Trump policies. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
When Hospitals and Insurers Fight, Patients Get Caught in the Middle - KFF Health News
About 90,000 people spent months in limbo as central Missouri’s major, and often only, provider fought over insurance contracts. Patients getting caught in the crossfire of disputes has become a famil...
kffhealthnews.org
September 2, 2025 at 9:03 PM
NEW: Feel like you're reading more about hospitals fighting with insurers and even stranding patients out of network?
It's not your imagination. Almost 1 in 5 hospitals had a brawl with an insurer in the past 4 years.
Trump admin cuts mean we're likely to see even more...
It's not your imagination. Almost 1 in 5 hospitals had a brawl with an insurer in the past 4 years.
Trump admin cuts mean we're likely to see even more...
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
Just heard a guy on the beach say “Microsoft Teams.” This is unacceptable.
July 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Just heard a guy on the beach say “Microsoft Teams.” This is unacceptable.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
"It's a crap show"
"People will die"
The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research are causing unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, which has spearheaded advances against the disease for decades. Me + @arthurallen202.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/h...
"People will die"
The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research are causing unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, which has spearheaded advances against the disease for decades. Me + @arthurallen202.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/h...
World’s premier cancer institute faces crippling cuts and chaos | CNN
The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research have caused unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, the storied federal government research hub that has spearheaded ...
www.cnn.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
"It's a crap show"
"People will die"
The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research are causing unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, which has spearheaded advances against the disease for decades. Me + @arthurallen202.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/h...
"People will die"
The Trump administration’s broadsides against scientific research are causing unprecedented upheaval at the National Cancer Institute, which has spearheaded advances against the disease for decades. Me + @arthurallen202.bsky.social
www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/h...
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
Wisconsin passed a budget in the middle of the night that, among other things, increased provider taxes to the maximum permitted value, so they would be grandfathered before the House votes on reconciliation
www.wpr.org/news/tony-ev...
www.wpr.org/news/tony-ev...
July 3, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Wisconsin passed a budget in the middle of the night that, among other things, increased provider taxes to the maximum permitted value, so they would be grandfathered before the House votes on reconciliation
www.wpr.org/news/tony-ev...
www.wpr.org/news/tony-ev...
NEW: Under GOP budget bill, 18.5 million Americans would need to prove they work to keep their Medicaid coverage.
One of them is likely a Kansas City woman who already had to make an excruciating choice due to Medicaid rules: give up guardianship of her disabled son to work as his caregiver.
One of them is likely a Kansas City woman who already had to make an excruciating choice due to Medicaid rules: give up guardianship of her disabled son to work as his caregiver.
To keep Medicaid, a mom caring for her disabled adult son may soon need to prove she works
Republicans have touted Medicaid work requirements both as a way to reduce federal spending on the program and as a moral imperative for Americans.
www.nbcnews.com
June 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
NEW: Under GOP budget bill, 18.5 million Americans would need to prove they work to keep their Medicaid coverage.
One of them is likely a Kansas City woman who already had to make an excruciating choice due to Medicaid rules: give up guardianship of her disabled son to work as his caregiver.
One of them is likely a Kansas City woman who already had to make an excruciating choice due to Medicaid rules: give up guardianship of her disabled son to work as his caregiver.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
In the wake of today's Supreme Court ruling in Skrmetti, looking for trans teens and parents of trans youth based in Illinois willing to talk about their experiences with gender-affirming care.
Hoping to have a conversation about this in the coming weeks on @21st.show.
My DMs are open.
Hoping to have a conversation about this in the coming weeks on @21st.show.
My DMs are open.
June 18, 2025 at 5:36 PM
In the wake of today's Supreme Court ruling in Skrmetti, looking for trans teens and parents of trans youth based in Illinois willing to talk about their experiences with gender-affirming care.
Hoping to have a conversation about this in the coming weeks on @21st.show.
My DMs are open.
Hoping to have a conversation about this in the coming weeks on @21st.show.
My DMs are open.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
When the House budget resolution first came out, moderate Republicans raised concerns about Medicaid. But, the House-passed bill cut Medicaid by $793 billion.
There was an expectation the Senate might moderate cuts. Now, they're looking at even bigger Medicaid cuts.
There was an expectation the Senate might moderate cuts. Now, they're looking at even bigger Medicaid cuts.
June 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
When the House budget resolution first came out, moderate Republicans raised concerns about Medicaid. But, the House-passed bill cut Medicaid by $793 billion.
There was an expectation the Senate might moderate cuts. Now, they're looking at even bigger Medicaid cuts.
There was an expectation the Senate might moderate cuts. Now, they're looking at even bigger Medicaid cuts.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
To be clear, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federally-funded benefits, including Medicaid.
June 16, 2025 at 2:22 AM
To be clear, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federally-funded benefits, including Medicaid.
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
In the middle of this wild week of other news, the amazing Jackie Fortiér and I were running down this story that published today on @npr.org and @kffhealthnews.org
Here's what happened, and why I think it's worth paying attention even with all of....this....going on 👇
Here's what happened, and why I think it's worth paying attention even with all of....this....going on 👇
RFK Jr. sent Congress 'medical disinformation' to defend COVID vaccine schedule change
A document circulated to members of Congress misinterprets studies and cites debunked research, scientists say. It could influence congressional perceptions of vaccine safety.
www.npr.org
June 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
In the middle of this wild week of other news, the amazing Jackie Fortiér and I were running down this story that published today on @npr.org and @kffhealthnews.org
Here's what happened, and why I think it's worth paying attention even with all of....this....going on 👇
Here's what happened, and why I think it's worth paying attention even with all of....this....going on 👇
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
NEWS this morning: Hundreds of NIH workers sent a sharply worded letter to Trump officials this morning protesting their actions regarding the agency, saying they are causing a "dramatic reduction in life-saving research.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
‘We Dissent’: NIH Workers Protest Trump Policies That ‘Harm the Health of Americans’ - KFF Health News
A letter signed by more than 300 National Institutes of Health workers — some still working, others who were fired this year — is an extraordinary public rebuke of actions taken under Director Jay Bha...
kffhealthnews.org
June 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM
NEWS this morning: Hundreds of NIH workers sent a sharply worded letter to Trump officials this morning protesting their actions regarding the agency, saying they are causing a "dramatic reduction in life-saving research.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
NEW: Violent crime was already trending down when Trump campaigned on addressing unbridled crime in America.
Now his administration has cut about $500 million for crime prevention.
My latest for @cnn.com and @kffhealthnews.org
www.cnn.com/2025/06/03/h...
Now his administration has cut about $500 million for crime prevention.
My latest for @cnn.com and @kffhealthnews.org
www.cnn.com/2025/06/03/h...
Trump decried crime in America, then gutted funding for gun violence prevention | CNN
The U.S. Department of Justice canceled $500 million in grants to public safety organizations nationwide, including some that address gun violence. One clinic in St. Louis lost a $2 million award to d...
www.cnn.com
June 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
NEW: Violent crime was already trending down when Trump campaigned on addressing unbridled crime in America.
Now his administration has cut about $500 million for crime prevention.
My latest for @cnn.com and @kffhealthnews.org
www.cnn.com/2025/06/03/h...
Now his administration has cut about $500 million for crime prevention.
My latest for @cnn.com and @kffhealthnews.org
www.cnn.com/2025/06/03/h...
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
Three mothers whose children were shot during the Chiefs' Super Bowl rally in 2024 are suing a host of entities, saying the mass shooting shows systemic failure and could have been prevented. www.kcur.org/news/2025-06...
Kansas City Super Bowl rally victims file suit, saying shooting was a ‘preventable calamity'
Three mothers who were shot, along with their children, filed the lawsuit in Jackson County Court, saying “systemic failures” by the firearms sellers, the city, Union Station and the Greater Kansas Ci...
www.kcur.org
June 3, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Three mothers whose children were shot during the Chiefs' Super Bowl rally in 2024 are suing a host of entities, saying the mass shooting shows systemic failure and could have been prevented. www.kcur.org/news/2025-06...
Reposted by Bram Sable-Smith
A Kennett, Missouri, woman went to St. Louis last month for what she thought was a routine meeting with immigration officials to renew her immigration documents.
Instead, they shackled her and are now trying to deport her to Hong Kong.
Instead, they shackled her and are now trying to deport her to Hong Kong.
'Bring Carol home:' ICE snatches rural Missouri mom at immigration check-in
A Kennett, Missouri, woman went to St. Louis last month for what she thought was a routine meeting with immigration officials to renew her immigration documents. Instead, they shackled her and are now...
www.stlpr.org
May 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
A Kennett, Missouri, woman went to St. Louis last month for what she thought was a routine meeting with immigration officials to renew her immigration documents.
Instead, they shackled her and are now trying to deport her to Hong Kong.
Instead, they shackled her and are now trying to deport her to Hong Kong.