Joseph Burns
@jburns18.bsky.social
Independent journalist reporting on health policy and health insurance for the Association of Health Care Journalists
Public domain photo of sunset over Cape Cod from International Space Station, ISS Expedition 26, Feb. 21, 2012.
Public domain photo of sunset over Cape Cod from International Space Station, ISS Expedition 26, Feb. 21, 2012.
Reposted by Joseph Burns
This is a story about one particular program
But it’s also a story about the mindless approach that the Trump administration has taken to attacking agencies on which we all rely
www.thebulwark.com/p/drug-treat...
But it’s also a story about the mindless approach that the Trump administration has taken to attacking agencies on which we all rely
www.thebulwark.com/p/drug-treat...
Drug Courts Save Lives. That May Not Save Them From Trump.
An Alabama man’s recovery story shows what the program can do—and what could be lost.
www.thebulwark.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:17 PM
This is a story about one particular program
But it’s also a story about the mindless approach that the Trump administration has taken to attacking agencies on which we all rely
www.thebulwark.com/p/drug-treat...
But it’s also a story about the mindless approach that the Trump administration has taken to attacking agencies on which we all rely
www.thebulwark.com/p/drug-treat...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
I have so much respect for Greta Thunberg because she easily could have coasted on speaking gigs and Davos appearances for the rest of her life
October 5, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I have so much respect for Greta Thunberg because she easily could have coasted on speaking gigs and Davos appearances for the rest of her life
Reposted by Joseph Burns
BREAKING: States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit.
Heartbreaking.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Heartbreaking.
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 11:08 AM
BREAKING: States Are Cutting Medicaid Provider Payments Long Before Trump Cuts Hit.
Heartbreaking.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Heartbreaking.
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Poll: Public trust in US health agencies down, ONLY 39% trust RFK Jr!
www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-healt...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-healt...
Poll: Public trust in US health agencies down, only 39% trust RFK Jr
www.cidrap.umn.edu
September 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Poll: Public trust in US health agencies down, ONLY 39% trust RFK Jr!
www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-healt...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-healt...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Sign up for The Patient Revolution Town Hall on issues of trust in health care. garyschwitzer.substack.com/p/sign-up-fo...
September 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Sign up for The Patient Revolution Town Hall on issues of trust in health care. garyschwitzer.substack.com/p/sign-up-fo...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
The number of kids who died from flu in the 2024-25 season is still rising. #CDC was informed of another 5 deaths, bringing the season total to 275 so far. Deaths occurred in Jan & May.
The only time more peds deaths from flu were reported was in the 2009 pandemic. www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
The only time more peds deaths from flu were reported was in the 2009 pandemic. www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
August 23, 2025 at 2:37 AM
The number of kids who died from flu in the 2024-25 season is still rising. #CDC was informed of another 5 deaths, bringing the season total to 275 so far. Deaths occurred in Jan & May.
The only time more peds deaths from flu were reported was in the 2009 pandemic. www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
The only time more peds deaths from flu were reported was in the 2009 pandemic. www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
Journalists, don't miss this AHCJ webinar on Tuesday (Aug. 19 at 2 pm EDT) on how to report on the criminalization of homelessness. healthjournalism.org/event/report...
Reporting on 'sweeps' and the criminalization of homelessness: How to handle the story
This webinar will equip reporters to cover the Trump administration's criminalization of homelessness in their own cities and towns.
healthjournalism.org
August 17, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Journalists, don't miss this AHCJ webinar on Tuesday (Aug. 19 at 2 pm EDT) on how to report on the criminalization of homelessness. healthjournalism.org/event/report...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Nearly two dozen people developed food poisoning in Florida after consuming tainted raw milk from the same farm, state health department says (from @reportergoodman.bsky.social) www.cnn.com/2025/08/05/h...
Nearly two dozen people in Florida are ill after drinking raw milk from the same farm | CNN
Nearly two dozen people have developed food poisoning in Florida after consuming tainted raw milk from the same farm, according to the state’s Department of Health.
www.cnn.com
August 8, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Nearly two dozen people developed food poisoning in Florida after consuming tainted raw milk from the same farm, state health department says (from @reportergoodman.bsky.social) www.cnn.com/2025/08/05/h...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
The GOP bill would cut $1 trillion from health care. This would kick 10.9 million people off their health insurance.
That, plus the expiration of the APTCs (and the other half of the ACA rule), lead to 16 million people losing health insurance, pushing the uninsurance rate up 4 percentage points.
That, plus the expiration of the APTCs (and the other half of the ACA rule), lead to 16 million people losing health insurance, pushing the uninsurance rate up 4 percentage points.
June 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The GOP bill would cut $1 trillion from health care. This would kick 10.9 million people off their health insurance.
That, plus the expiration of the APTCs (and the other half of the ACA rule), lead to 16 million people losing health insurance, pushing the uninsurance rate up 4 percentage points.
That, plus the expiration of the APTCs (and the other half of the ACA rule), lead to 16 million people losing health insurance, pushing the uninsurance rate up 4 percentage points.
Reposted by Joseph Burns
#UNH shares pulling back this morning, after HSBC cut the stock to a sell, and a Guardian piece alleging the company paid nursing homes to keep patients from being transfered to hospitals. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
May 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
#UNH shares pulling back this morning, after HSBC cut the stock to a sell, and a Guardian piece alleging the company paid nursing homes to keep patients from being transfered to hospitals. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
José Mujica, the charismatic former guerrilla fighter who later went on to lead Uruguay and became known as "the world's poorest president" for his austere lifestyle, has died at 89.
Uruguay's ex-President José Mujica, nicknamed 'world's poorest president,' dies at 89
José Mujica, the charismatic former guerrilla fighter who later went on to lead Uruguay and became known as "the world's poorest president" for his austere lifestyle, has died at 89.
www.npr.org
May 13, 2025 at 8:09 PM
José Mujica, the charismatic former guerrilla fighter who later went on to lead Uruguay and became known as "the world's poorest president" for his austere lifestyle, has died at 89.
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Kicking moms and babies off of their health insurance (during Women’s Health Week, no less) is a low blow.
May 13, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Kicking moms and babies off of their health insurance (during Women’s Health Week, no less) is a low blow.
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Section 44142 of House GOP Medicaid cuts REQUIRES states (so much for federalism) to charge cost-sharing of up to $35 to adults between 100-138% FPL.
Allows providers to turn folks away if they can't pay
Research is clear that even small copays for low-income folks result in missing needed care
Allows providers to turn folks away if they can't pay
Research is clear that even small copays for low-income folks result in missing needed care
May 14, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Section 44142 of House GOP Medicaid cuts REQUIRES states (so much for federalism) to charge cost-sharing of up to $35 to adults between 100-138% FPL.
Allows providers to turn folks away if they can't pay
Research is clear that even small copays for low-income folks result in missing needed care
Allows providers to turn folks away if they can't pay
Research is clear that even small copays for low-income folks result in missing needed care
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Republicans have floated the idea of a per capita cap on federal funding for the ACA Medicaid expansion.
How much a per capita cap would shift costs to states and result in cuts to Medicaid benefits would depend crucially on where the cap is set and how fast it grows over time.
How much a per capita cap would shift costs to states and result in cuts to Medicaid benefits would depend crucially on where the cap is set and how fast it grows over time.
April 29, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Republicans have floated the idea of a per capita cap on federal funding for the ACA Medicaid expansion.
How much a per capita cap would shift costs to states and result in cuts to Medicaid benefits would depend crucially on where the cap is set and how fast it grows over time.
How much a per capita cap would shift costs to states and result in cuts to Medicaid benefits would depend crucially on where the cap is set and how fast it grows over time.
Reposted by Joseph Burns
One of the arguments for scaling back the ACA Medicaid expansion is that enrollees are "able-bodied" and don't need health care.
44% of Medicaid expansion enrollees have a chronic condition.
www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
44% of Medicaid expansion enrollees have a chronic condition.
www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
April 29, 2025 at 4:52 PM
One of the arguments for scaling back the ACA Medicaid expansion is that enrollees are "able-bodied" and don't need health care.
44% of Medicaid expansion enrollees have a chronic condition.
www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
44% of Medicaid expansion enrollees have a chronic condition.
www.kff.org/medicaid/iss...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Commerce Department employees caught up in a legal battle over their mass firings are now learning that their health care coverage was cut off weeks ago, even though they were paying their premiums.
Fired, rehired, and fired again: Some federal workers find they're suddenly uninsured
Commerce Department employees caught up in a legal battle over their mass firings are now learning that their health care coverage was cut off weeks ago, even though they were paying their premiums.
www.npr.org
April 25, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Commerce Department employees caught up in a legal battle over their mass firings are now learning that their health care coverage was cut off weeks ago, even though they were paying their premiums.
Reposted by Joseph Burns
The final honor guard for Pope Francis included migrants, prisoners, transgender people, the homeless and others selected by the Vicariate of Rome as a symbol of the late pope’s mission of inclusion and outreach.
Read more from the funeral: wapo.st/3YdDGqM
Read more from the funeral: wapo.st/3YdDGqM
April 26, 2025 at 12:07 PM
The final honor guard for Pope Francis included migrants, prisoners, transgender people, the homeless and others selected by the Vicariate of Rome as a symbol of the late pope’s mission of inclusion and outreach.
Read more from the funeral: wapo.st/3YdDGqM
Read more from the funeral: wapo.st/3YdDGqM
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Reposted by Joseph Burns
Please, pull up a chair and let me tell you the batshit backstory of the guy bringing today's Supreme Court challenge to Obamacare: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Latest Supreme Court case targeting the ACA comes from a longtime anti-gay activist
Steven Hotze has spent years trying to dismantle Obamacare and fight LGBTQ rights.
www.motherjones.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Please, pull up a chair and let me tell you the batshit backstory of the guy bringing today's Supreme Court challenge to Obamacare: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
This must-read article from @msjpauly.bsky.social is excellent in how it explains the issues behind the case SCOTUS heard yesterday in Kennedy v. #Braidwood
“The people who are going to be hurt most are the people who can’t just pull out a credit card and pay full cost for a service, or pay a $50 co-pay or an $80 co-pay.”
The Latest Supreme Court case targeting the ACA comes from a longtime anti-gay activist
Steven Hotze has spent years trying to dismantle Obamacare and fight LGBTQ rights.
www.motherjones.com
April 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
This must-read article from @msjpauly.bsky.social is excellent in how it explains the issues behind the case SCOTUS heard yesterday in Kennedy v. #Braidwood
Reposted by Joseph Burns
“The people who are going to be hurt most are the people who can’t just pull out a credit card and pay full cost for a service, or pay a $50 co-pay or an $80 co-pay.”
The Latest Supreme Court case targeting the ACA comes from a longtime anti-gay activist
Steven Hotze has spent years trying to dismantle Obamacare and fight LGBTQ rights.
www.motherjones.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:02 AM
“The people who are going to be hurt most are the people who can’t just pull out a credit card and pay full cost for a service, or pay a $50 co-pay or an $80 co-pay.”
Solid reporting from Noah Tong at Fierce Healthcare on a complex case: Kennedy v. Braidwood. www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/supre...
Supreme Court appears willing to save ACA preventive services task force
Following oral arguments Monday, legal onlookers are giving the edge to the federal government in a lawsuit against employer Braidwood Management as the company tries to overturn a provision requir | ...
www.fiercehealthcare.com
April 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Solid reporting from Noah Tong at Fierce Healthcare on a complex case: Kennedy v. Braidwood. www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/supre...
Great explainer from @citizencohn.bsky.social on how RFK has yet to give an unambiguous endorsement of vaccines during the largest single outbreak of measles in decades.
Not sure people appreciate just how much damage is being done to America’s public health care infrastructure — and for how long we will feel the effects www.thebulwark.com/p/dont-be-fo...
Don’t Be Fooled: RFK Jr. Is Still Talking Down Vaccines
It’s part of a much bigger blow to American health care that will reverberate for decades.
www.thebulwark.com
April 15, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Great explainer from @citizencohn.bsky.social on how RFK has yet to give an unambiguous endorsement of vaccines during the largest single outbreak of measles in decades.
Reposted by Joseph Burns
At NIH, scientists are bartering over lab supplies. In FDA, staff fear drug reviews and inspections will fall behind. CDC groups focused on alcohol, tobacco and HIV are gone.
3 months into the Trump Admin, are America's health agencies in crisis?
www.statnews.com/2025/04/11/h...
3 months into the Trump Admin, are America's health agencies in crisis?
www.statnews.com/2025/04/11/h...
Inside U.S. health agencies, workers confront chaos and questions as operations come unglued
The Trump administration’s remaking of HHS — in a matter of weeks — is sparking basic questions about how parts of the agency and those it oversees can continue to function.
www.statnews.com
April 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
At NIH, scientists are bartering over lab supplies. In FDA, staff fear drug reviews and inspections will fall behind. CDC groups focused on alcohol, tobacco and HIV are gone.
3 months into the Trump Admin, are America's health agencies in crisis?
www.statnews.com/2025/04/11/h...
3 months into the Trump Admin, are America's health agencies in crisis?
www.statnews.com/2025/04/11/h...
Reposted by Joseph Burns
📣 TO ANYONE PARTICIPATING IN A #HANDSOFF PROTEST:
If the GOP's plan to GUT MEDICAID & the ACA are your concern, a reminder that I've compiled pie charts breaking out enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare & ACA plans for the entire populations of ALL 436 HOUSE DISTRICTS.
ACASignups.net/piecharts
If the GOP's plan to GUT MEDICAID & the ACA are your concern, a reminder that I've compiled pie charts breaking out enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare & ACA plans for the entire populations of ALL 436 HOUSE DISTRICTS.
ACASignups.net/piecharts
Pie Charts Galore! Medicaid, CHIP, ACA & Medicare enrollment by Congressional District
Over the past couple of months I've compiled a master spreadsheet breaking out enrollment in ACA plans (Qualified Health Plans & Basic Health Plans), Medicaid/CHIP coverage (both traditional & via ACA...
ACASignups.net
April 4, 2025 at 2:49 AM
📣 TO ANYONE PARTICIPATING IN A #HANDSOFF PROTEST:
If the GOP's plan to GUT MEDICAID & the ACA are your concern, a reminder that I've compiled pie charts breaking out enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare & ACA plans for the entire populations of ALL 436 HOUSE DISTRICTS.
ACASignups.net/piecharts
If the GOP's plan to GUT MEDICAID & the ACA are your concern, a reminder that I've compiled pie charts breaking out enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare & ACA plans for the entire populations of ALL 436 HOUSE DISTRICTS.
ACASignups.net/piecharts