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Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
Nearly 700,000 Americans Lose Health Care Coverage in 2025
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Almost 700,000 Americans lost Medicaid coverage in one month at the start of this year, according to new enrollment data compiled by KFF. The significant drop in Medicaid enrollment in January from December 2024 is part of a long-term trend amid the continuation of the federal program's "unwinding" process, which began after pandemic-era protections ended. Enrollment was still higher in January than it was in February 2020. Why It Matters The data highlights the continued ripple effects of the Medicaid policy shift, with millions more likely to be affected in the months ahead—particularly low-income families, children, and older adults who rely on Medicaid for basic care access. Health care experts and advocates warn that the unwinding process is opening large gaps in the U.S. health care system, with many falling through the cracks due to administrative barriers or lack of communication, not because they no longer qualify. File photo: people block a street during a protest over proposed cuts to Medicaid funding. File photo: people block a street during a protest over proposed cuts to Medicaid funding. Rick Bowmer/AP What to Know Data collected by KFF shows that from December 2024 to January 2025, Medicaid enrollment dropped by 669,938, bringing the total number of Americans enrolled in Medicaid to around 71.2 million. While this number remains high, it reflects a steady monthly decline that began in 2023 when states resumed redeterminations, where they checked whether enrollees were still eligible for benefits. The process had been paused during the COVID-19 public health emergency alongside an expansion to the federal protection available for vulnerable Americans with limited income and resources. When those protections were lifted following the pandemic, millions faced the risk of being disenrolled—not just due to income changes, but because of paperwork errors, missed deadlines, or outdated contact information. According to KFF's data, more than 16 million people have been disenrolled from Medicaid since the unwinding began in the spring of 2023. An April 2024 survey by KFF of 1,227 U.S. adults who had Medicaid coverage in prior to April 1, 2023, found that 28 percent of former enrolees found other forms of health coverage, while 47 percent were eventually re-enrolled to Medicaid. Around a quarter of enrolees reported as remaining uninsured. States like Montana, Tennessee and Colorado have seen some of the largest decreases in enrollment, with levels in January 2025 dropping below pre-pandemic levels. What People Are Saying William Schpero, assistant professor of population health sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine, told Newsweek: "This is evidence that we are likely still seeing the effects of the end of the continuous coverage provisions in place during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency that paused redeterminations of Medicaid eligibility. During the 'unwinding' of continuous coverage through September 2024, close to 70 percent of those who lost coverage were disenrolled for purely procedural reasons—for example, they missed a required renewal form because of a change in address. Many of these people likely remained eligible for Medicaid." He added: "It would be particularly concerning if procedural terminations continue to underlie the latest reported decreases in Medicaid enrollment. It suggests that states can be doing more to prevent avoidable losses of coverage. Research has estimated that a large portion of individuals who have lost Medicaid in recent months have become uninsured or experienced gaps in coverage. We have consistent evidence that loss of Medicaid coverage interrupts access to care — without coverage, people forgo visiting the doctor or taking their prescribed medications due to cost. Ultimately this will hurt health outcomes." Kathleen Adams, professor of health policy and management at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, Georgia, told Newsweek: "We are always concerned with the loss of insurance coverage, especially among the lower income and vulnerable groups traditionally served by Medicaid. If these individuals are not able to find a source of other coverage such as Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) or through the subsidized exchanges, they will have lower access to needed health care, face higher costs if they obtain care and could impose costs on the health care system as they are forced to seek care in ERs or other publicly subsidized sources of care." She added: "The unwinding has taken place over a year and as the report notes, Medicaid enrollment is still higher now than in the pre-pandemic period. It is also important to note the differences seen across states. Some states that had not expanded Medicaid under the ACA did so recently and many of them show the largest increases in enrollment from their pre-pandemic levels. Currently, the concerns with Medicaid enrollment are with the administration's proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility which some states are already seeking to implement." What's Next Unless policies change, experts project that millions more Americans may lose health coverage through 2025, not just due to changes in eligibility requirements, but also because of bureaucratic hurdles.
Newsweek
31-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Health Officials Confirm Virus in Popular Vacation Destination
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed a travel-related case of Zika virus on Oahu and identified two others who may have been exposed, prompting a public warning to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate breeding grounds. Newsweek has reached out to the Hawaii DOH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for comment via email. Why It Matters Zika is predominantly spread by an infected Aedes species mosquito, although the CDC notes that it can also spread through sex or to a fetus during pregnancy. There is no vaccine to prevent or treat Zika virus at this time. An infection known to cause birth defects, Zika gained national attention in 2015 when a cluster of cases in Brazil produced an uptick in babies born with abnormally small heads. Oahu is a popular tourist destination that is home to numerous beaches, volcanos, and Peal Harbor, among other attractions. What To Know In a May 27 press release, Hawaii's DOH confirmed that an individual on the Oahu Island has Zika virus. The department is calling upon residents, visitors, and businesses to prevent the virus by taking certain precautions such as: Applying insect repellent (Use products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency that contain 20–30% DEET) Wear loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and pants Keep mosquitos out of homes and businesses by ensuring screens are intact and doors are kept closed Remove standing water around home and buildings Zika virus symptoms are typically mild and may include fever, rash, headache, joint pain, red eyes and muscle pain. Most people don't know if they contract Zika and about one in five people with Zika have mild symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, the virus is most concerning for pregnant woman as it can prevent the "fetus's brain from developing properly" the CDC states. Health officials recommend using protection during sexual activity to limit the potential spread of the virus. The most recent travel-related case in Hawaii was reported in 2019, the Hawaii DOH said in the press release. Zika outbreaks were much more common years ago, with an epidemic between 2014 and 2017 in the Americas. A mosquito feeds at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District on July 26, 2023, in Salt Lake City. A mosquito feeds at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District on July 26, 2023, in Salt Lake City. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer What People Are Saying The official Nobel Prize X, formerly Twitter, account wrote on May 13: "There are now new opportunities for the development of future vaccines against influenza, Zika, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), thanks to the work of two Nobel Prize laureates who developed mRNA technology to produce COVID-19 vaccines in a remarkably short timeframe." What Happens Next "Vector control teams" have been dispatched to the area around where the individual was, including Haleiwa. While there is currently no specific treatment for Zika virus, multiple vaccine candidates are currently in development.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City Gets 3 New Flags Amid Ban of LGBTQ Flags
People march following a Pride rally at the Utah State Capitol Friday, June 2, 2023, in Salt Lake City. Rick Bowmer, File via Associated Press Salt Lake City has adopted three new flags in an attempt to skirt around the city's ban on flying the LGBTQ+ flag and others at public state buildings. On Tuesday, the Salt Lake City Council adopted the three new flags in a formal meeting. The three flags are versions of Salt Lake City's official flag featuring a sego lily. There is the Sego Celebration Flag, which represents Juneteenth; the Sego Belonging Flag, representing LGBTQIA residents; and the Sego Visibility Flag, for transgender residents. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said the flags are 'powerful symbols representing' the city's values. 'I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity and inclusion—leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together,' Mendenhall said in a news release. Earlier this year, Utah banned LGBTQ flags from being displayed in public schools or government buildings. LGBTQ advocates called it 'government overreach at its worst' and said the law strips the right to support and affirm diverse communities. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) allowed the bill to go into law even though he had 'serious concerns' about it. In a letter addressed to Utah legislators, Cox wrote that the bill focuses too much on flags alone and does little to prevent other displays, like posters, signs, etc. 'To those legislators who supported this bill, I'm sure it will not fix what you are trying to fix,' Cox wrote in a letter. Salt Lake City Council chair Chris Wharton praised the three new flags. 'Like other civic symbols, these flags reflect our shared humanity and the values that help everyone feel they belong—no matter their background, orientation or beliefs,' Wharton said in a statement. 'While the state has restricted which flags public buildings can fly, I'm glad we can still uphold our community's values within the law.' Related...
