health insurance

In a change from previous federal recommendations, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved this year's shots only for older people and those with underlying health conditions.

With no pediatric ophthalmologists in network near their home in Wentzville, Missouri, Keyanna Jones asked United Healthcare to cover her daughter's eye surgery with an out-of-network specialist. The insurer agreed — and then sent them a bill for $13,000.

About 90,000 people spent months in limbo as central Missouri's major medical provider fought over insurance contracts. These disputes between insurers and hospitals are a recurring problem.

Insurance companies have proposed the highest rate increases since 2018. Health care analysts blame Trump administration policies, which will raise prices and drive healthy people out of the marketplace.

A report says several Kansas policies restrict access to birth control. Also, the state falls short of protecting access to contraceptives by having no policies in several key areas.

Charlie Shields, the CEO of University Health in Kansas City, says federal Medicaid cuts passed in President Trump's recent budget bill are likely to pose challenges for the hospital system. University Health relies on Medicaid reimbursements more than other providers in the metro.

Kimberly Gallagher gave up guardianship of her son — a decision prompted by Missouri Medicaid rules about who can be compensated for caretaking work. But as Republicans plan to slash $1 trillion in federal Medicaid spending, Gallagher is among the millions of Americans who could be required to prove that they work enough to keep their health insurance.

Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas said he made changes to the Senate’s version of the Trump administration's reconciliation bill to soften the blow of Medicaid cuts on Kansas hospitals. But health care advocates say it won’t be enough.

Federal lawmakers are considering cutting billions of dollars from Medicaid funding. Experts say that would lead to an increase in hospital closures and uninsured rates in Kansas.

Advocates worry that tens of thousands of vulnerable Missourians will lose Medicaid and food stamps because of new administrative barriers proposed by the GOP-led Congress. Missouri has already come under fire for failing to administer benefits on time.

Congressional Republicans are looking to cut at least $880 billion from a pool of federal funding that includes Medicaid — and the program is likely to take a major hit. A previous budget crunch in Missouri offers a window into how cuts ripple through people's lives.

Kansas City voted Tuesday to approve the first Kansas City Public Schools bond question in six decades, as well as a public safety sales tax that would fund a new jail. Plus: Funding cuts by the Trump administration mean Kansans will have a lot fewer health navigators to help people enroll in Medicaid and insurance.