Judy Lin

Half a century ago, the U.S. did not spend way more than other countries on health care. The gap has widened over time, and we don't necessarily get better health for it.

This may not last with gas prices rising, but we have not seen it often: health costs are THE top household economic concern, propelled by reality, political debate about ACA tax credits, and media coverage.

New: Kamala Harris has canceled her upcoming book tour stops in California, including appearances in Sacramento, San Diego and Anaheim. Ticketmaster says it’s due to “a scheduling conflict”

Personal update: I’ve joined a new, soon-to-launch local news outlet in LA. So excited to be building a new journalism model alongside talented, passionate colleagues. Can’t wait to reveal what we’ve been working on. lamaterial.com

Some medical professionals say new revenue is needed in the short term but that the country needs to address its notoriously expensive health care system. @BernardWolfson @KFFHealthNews usnews.com/news/health-ne…

Even as the scientific community cheers Gavin Newsom, federal cuts have sapped morale and left local health departments less prepared for outbreaks. @ahartreports @KFFHealthNews @latimes latimes.com/california/sto…

Americans are worried about health care affordability, legitimately so. But, as a new survey from the @NewYorkFed shows, there's a reason to be worried most people aren't even thinking about: The rising cost of employer-provided health benefits leads to smaller wage increases.

California schools lost $2.2 million in state funding over two years because students weren't fully vaccinated. edsource.org/?page_id=751988 via @edsource @CAPublicHealth @LApublic @CSBA_Now

Read more: kffhealthnews.org/news/article/r…

Before being confirmed to lead HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told U.S. senators he would not cut funding for vaccine research or change the nation’s official vaccine recommendations. He did both. youtu.be/9R0A80V-HWY?si… @AmandaSeitz @KFFHealthNews

The government-hosted website is not a platform for buying medications. Instead, TrumpRx is set up as a facilitator, pointing Americans to drugmakers' direct-to-consumer websites, where they can make purchases. It also provides coupons to use at pharmacies. to.pbs.org/4rxlTqx

Hospitals have long restricted access to information about incarcerated patients. Attorneys and advocates say that practice is being abused by agents to block patients’ access to legal counsel and family support. @AP @KFFHealthNews @reporteratlarge apnews.com/article/minnes…

A job posting in paradise! kff.bamboohr.com/careers/111

If you want to focus on insurance company overhead and profit, Medicare Advantage is the market that stands out as an outlier.

New: CBO estimates a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits would ultimately reduce the number of people uninsured by 4 million. It would cost the federal government $80.6 billion, which would come from reducing health insurance costs for enrollees.

New: With first year awards from the rural health transformation fund out, our analysis shows wide variation in the amount per rural resident across states.

“Alcohol is a social lubricant that brings people together,” the head of Medicare and Medicaid, Mehmet Oz, said at the briefing. He said that the implication of the new dietary guidelines with respect to alcohol is, “Don’t have it for breakfast.” nytimes.com/live/2026/01/0…

How California has so far Trump-proofed some federal funding for homeless people latimes.com/california/sto…

A looming question confronts California counties: How will they pay for the uninsured? latimes.com/california/sto… @cmaiduc @reporteratlarge

Why California is ending coverage for weight-loss drugs despite TrumpRx price cuts latimes.com/california/sto…