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Bluestem Health is a Nebraska community health center bracing for changes to its client population.
Most of Bluestem Health’s patients are covered by Medicaid. Brad Meyer, CEO of the Lincoln, Nebraska, clinic, estimates up to 15% of them may be kicked off the program, which could cost his center about $600,000 a year. | ZACH WENDLING/NEBRASKA EXAMINER

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act darkens outlook for government-backed clinics

New work requirements will affect low-income patients who use some community health centers. They are likely to lead to many people losing coverage, dealing new cost pressures to providers.
Apr 2
Lorena Alvarado Hill had her coverage canceled over a nickel.
Lorena Alvarado Hill, a teacher’s aide in Florida, was surprised to receive several medical bills for scans and other appointments that her government-subsidized insurance plan had previously covered. She learned her insurance had been canceled for non-payment of premiums — even though she owed just 5 cents. | MICHELLE BRUZZESE FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS

She owed her insurer a nickel, so it canceled her coverage

Taking her mother off her health plan triggered a premium change from Zero cents to Five cents, an amount Lorena Alvarado didn't notice until her policy was canceled for non-payment.
Apr 2
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PUBLIC HEALTH IMAGE LIBRARY

Coverage losses point to diabetes problems ahead

Researchers at OHSU say their work showed that people who’d lost their coverage were more likely to have worsening blood sugar control and other complications, requiring more intensive medications to curb the effects
Mar 31
Premium
The emergency department at Big Sandy’s hospital
The emergency department at Big Sandy’s hospital consists of a single room with two beds and nothing but a curtain between them for privacy. Rancher Shane Chauvet found himself in that bed after a piece of metal nearly cut off his arm during a windstorm a few years back. | AARON BOLTON/MTPR

Give and take: Federal rural health funding could trigger service cuts

Leaders in at least 10 states say projects launched under the federal rural transformation program could lead rural hospitals to cut services so they can continue to afford to offer emergency and other essential care.
Mar 31

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