Heather Saunders

Republicans are poised to pass the biggest cuts in health coverage ever. @nytopinion nytimes.com/2025/07/01/opi…

NEW @KFF 988: On its three-year anniversary, #988 continues to grow, exceeding half a million contacts monthly. Suicide deaths held steady from 2022 to 2023—too soon to know 988's impact, but this marks a break from prior upward trends. See more: kff.org/policy-watch/d…

⚡ KFF’s @Liz_Williams_ compares the increases in the federal Medicaid cuts in the Senate-passed reconciliation bill with the House-passed bill across states. #QuickTake on.kff.org/44zOKRr

Over half of the Senate bill’s federal Medicaid spending reductions in rural areas are in 12 states that have large rural populations and have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Kentucky would lose the most, an estimated $12 billion over 10 years. on.kff.org/45S2fOC

Under the Senate-passed reconciliation bill, federal Medicaid spending in rural areas is estimated to decline by $155 billion. That is more than the House-passed bill — and far more than the $50 billion appropriated for the rural health fund. on.kff.org/45S2fOC

NEW RURAL BRIEF @KFF : Senate reconciliation bill would cut federal Medicaid funding in rural areas by $155B—$36B more than the House bill.kff.org/policy-watch/h…

Grandfathering in existing Medicaid expansion enrollees isn't as protective as it seems, since low-income people cycle on and off Medicaid as their income and circumstances change.

We’ve been busy diving into the budget reconciliation bill, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and what it could mean for Medicaid, the ACA, Medicare, and more. Catch up with this thread of our latest explainers and analysis 🧵⤵️

New: We estimate the One Big Beautiful Bill that passed the House would cut Medicaid spending in rural areas by $119 billion over a decade.

One of the biggest flashpoints for the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" has been its impact on roughly 1800 rural hospitals, which is why Senate Republicans are proposing a new $15 billion rural health fund. However, there are still questions and concerns about the bill 👇 (1/7)

NEW @KFF: House reconciliation bill could reduce Medicaid spending in rural areas by $119B over 10 yrs. Over half of the reductions would be in 12 states with large rural populations and expanded Medicaid: KY, NC, OH, IL, VA, MI, NY, WA, PA, OK, LA and AR. kff.org/policy-watch/h…

How Might Changes to the ACA Marketplace Impact Enrollees with Mental Health Conditions? | @KFF kff.org/affordable-car…

It’s remarkable how much of the debate about Medicaid cuts is now about hospitals and a rural hospital fund to placate critics and appear to soften the blow, not the millions of people who will lose coverage or find it unaffordable. Some will lose SNAP benefits at the same time.

NEW @KFF Brief – Medicaid Work & Reporting Requirements (MH/SUD): Currently, no mandatory flexibility for temporary crises (e.g., acute mental health episodes). Those briefly falling short of hours may lose coverage at renewal or denial at application. kff.org/medicaid/issue…

SAMHSA announced that 988's LGBQTI+ service will be shut down. The service fielded 1.3M+ contacts & plays a role in addressing disparate health needs of LGBTQ+ youth. We wrote about this possibility and the role the line has played: kff.org/mental-health/… w/ @heathersaunder_

The 988 suicide and crisis line’s service for LGBTQ youth has fielded 1.3M+ contacts—but FY 2026 budget request eliminated funding. As usage rises, its future is uncertain. Our new brief explores the policy landscape and latest data: kff.org/mental-health/… w/ @heathersaunder_

I did the arithmetic. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act would cut federal spending for Medicaid and the ACA by just over $1 trillion over a decade.