Amy Maxmen, PhD
@amymaxmen.bsky.social
Award-winning public health reporter at KFF Health News. Bylines at Nature, New York Times, National Geographic & more. AmyM@kff.org Signal: AmyMaxmen.25 www.amymaxmen.com & https://kffhealthnews.org/news/author/amy-maxmen
A huge thanks to the federal officials & public health workers who have spoken up.
Please continue to reach out securely on Signal at AmyMaxmen.25 or email amym [at] kff [dot] org.
Please continue to reach out securely on Signal at AmyMaxmen.25 or email amym [at] kff [dot] org.
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
A huge thanks to the federal officials & public health workers who have spoken up.
Please continue to reach out securely on Signal at AmyMaxmen.25 or email amym [at] kff [dot] org.
Please continue to reach out securely on Signal at AmyMaxmen.25 or email amym [at] kff [dot] org.
6/ “This is boring but crazy-high stakes” former OMB official Joe Carlile said.
Most health officials & nonprofit directors I spoke with requested anonymity bc everyone is afraid of retaliation. This piece quotes a small fraction of dozens of people I've talked to.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Most health officials & nonprofit directors I spoke with requested anonymity bc everyone is afraid of retaliation. This piece quotes a small fraction of dozens of people I've talked to.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
6/ “This is boring but crazy-high stakes” former OMB official Joe Carlile said.
Most health officials & nonprofit directors I spoke with requested anonymity bc everyone is afraid of retaliation. This piece quotes a small fraction of dozens of people I've talked to.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Most health officials & nonprofit directors I spoke with requested anonymity bc everyone is afraid of retaliation. This piece quotes a small fraction of dozens of people I've talked to.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
5/The Trump admin hasn't only cancelled health & research grants. Its withheld funds to serve the publics health.
HIV clinics cut hours. Food banks closed. Maternal mortality surveys lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing. & much more. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
HIV clinics cut hours. Food banks closed. Maternal mortality surveys lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing. & much more. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
5/The Trump admin hasn't only cancelled health & research grants. Its withheld funds to serve the publics health.
HIV clinics cut hours. Food banks closed. Maternal mortality surveys lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing. & much more. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
HIV clinics cut hours. Food banks closed. Maternal mortality surveys lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing. & much more. kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
4/HHS officials have told Congress about how the White House freezes funds, but it hasn't acted.
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
4/HHS officials have told Congress about how the White House freezes funds, but it hasn't acted.
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
3/ Vought & DOGE shortchanged public health programs this yr. So, no matter what budget Congress passes, the exec branch may continue to do as it wants.
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
3/ Vought & DOGE shortchanged public health programs this yr. So, no matter what budget Congress passes, the exec branch may continue to do as it wants.
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
2/ Vought rivals RFK in his ability to upend government-led efforts to keep Americans healthy.
Thru shrouded strategies outlined in Project 2025, the Trump administration has undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Thru shrouded strategies outlined in Project 2025, the Trump administration has undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Wielding Obscure Budget Tools, Trump’s ‘Reaper’ Vought Sows Turmoil in Public Health - KFF Health News
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly upended outbreak response, HIV treatment, and dementia care in communities across America.
kffhealthnews.org
November 7, 2025 at 1:37 PM
2/ Vought rivals RFK in his ability to upend government-led efforts to keep Americans healthy.
Thru shrouded strategies outlined in Project 2025, the Trump administration has undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Thru shrouded strategies outlined in Project 2025, the Trump administration has undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment, dementia care & more.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
More in my latest piece on how the Trump admin quietly withheld funds for public health this yr.
Thanks to @kffhealthnews.org for allowing me time to investigate. It's a huge deal that's underreported. Stay tuned for KFFs version w/fab illus by @oonazenda.bsky.social abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Thanks to @kffhealthnews.org for allowing me time to investigate. It's a huge deal that's underreported. Stay tuned for KFFs version w/fab illus by @oonazenda.bsky.social abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Red tape and budget constraints: How the White House is undercutting public health
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment and dementia care.
abcnews.go.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
More in my latest piece on how the Trump admin quietly withheld funds for public health this yr.
Thanks to @kffhealthnews.org for allowing me time to investigate. It's a huge deal that's underreported. Stay tuned for KFFs version w/fab illus by @oonazenda.bsky.social abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Thanks to @kffhealthnews.org for allowing me time to investigate. It's a huge deal that's underreported. Stay tuned for KFFs version w/fab illus by @oonazenda.bsky.social abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
HHS officials told Congress about how the White House freezes funds, but Congress hasn't acted.
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Red tape and budget constraints: How the White House is undercutting public health
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment and dementia care.
abcnews.go.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
HHS officials told Congress about how the White House freezes funds, but Congress hasn't acted.
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
“This is preventing states & communities from doing critical public health work to keep our country safe. If they don't have capacity, we all collectively suffer.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
The Trump admin hasn't only cancelled grants. Its withheld funds for public health thru tactics described in Project 2025.
Money goes to states. HIV clinics cut hours. Maternal mortality projects lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing.
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Money goes to states. HIV clinics cut hours. Maternal mortality projects lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing.
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Red tape and budget constraints: How the White House is undercutting public health
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment and dementia care.
abcnews.go.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The Trump admin hasn't only cancelled grants. Its withheld funds for public health thru tactics described in Project 2025.
Money goes to states. HIV clinics cut hours. Maternal mortality projects lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing.
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Money goes to states. HIV clinics cut hours. Maternal mortality projects lapsed. Measles response slowed. Housing assistance is still missing.
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
While Congress debates the 2026 budget, Russell Vought & DOGE have managed to shortchange public health programs funded thru 2024 & 2025 appropriations.
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
Red tape and budget constraints: How the White House is undercutting public health
Through shrouded bureaucratic maneuvers, White House budget director Russell Vought and DOGE have quietly undercut outbreak response, HIV treatment and dementia care.
abcnews.go.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
While Congress debates the 2026 budget, Russell Vought & DOGE have managed to shortchange public health programs funded thru 2024 & 2025 appropriations.
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
“This is a huge deal because the power of the purse is central to Congress’ ability to shape and direct policy.”
abcnews.go.com/Health/red-t...
The NYT headline makes it sound like Gates is reversing his position and aligning with Trump. And although he might be backing off of curbing emissions partly to appease Trump, he is not saying climate change isn't real -- he's saying there are other, more urgent approaches.
October 28, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The NYT headline makes it sound like Gates is reversing his position and aligning with Trump. And although he might be backing off of curbing emissions partly to appease Trump, he is not saying climate change isn't real -- he's saying there are other, more urgent approaches.