Berkeley Lovelace Jr.

Idaho kicks off Affordable Care Act open enrollment as premiums are set to rise nationwide About 25,000 Idahoans are likely to drop their coverage for next year when enhanced subsidies expire.

Idaho kicks off Affordable Care Act open enrollment as premiums are set to rise nationwide www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Great! I can DM you

Reached out to you on Twitter too. But would you love to chat today if you’re available. Thanks!

Hi there,
I’m a health reporter with NBC News.

I’m working on an article regarding Idaho’s ACA open enrollment period, which begins Wednesday.

Do you have a moment today to chat about your premiums?

Thanks so much!

Without Obamacare subsidies, this couple’s insurance premiums are set to go up almost $2,000 The subsidies are a key sticking point in the government shutdown: Democrats in Congress say that in order to secure their votes to reopen the government, they must be extended.

Millions of Americans are set to see their insurance premiums spike in 2026 if enhanced Obamacare subsidies aren't extended. As open enrollment approaches, many are starting to get letters informing them of just how much those increases will be.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com

Just gave you a call — It’s the 551 number

Got it! — Understood. Thanks for responding!

Yes, premiums are going up regardless of whether the tax credits are extended.

Thanks for your response! Would your relative be open to chatting?

Hi there,

I’m a health reporter at NBC News. I’m working on a story for tomorrow regarding the ACA tax credits. Do you have a quick moment to chat about your ACA premiums increase?

Thanks so much!

Hi there,

I’m a health reporter with NBC News.

I’m reaching out to folks who have gotten notices about their ACA premiums rising next year.

Are you available for a quick chat?

Thanks so much!

Hi there,

I’m a health reporter with NBC News.

I’m working on a story for tomorrow about people getting notices about their ACA premiums going up.

Would you be available for a quick chat this afternoon?

Thanks!

Hey,

I’m a health reporter with NBC News.

Working on a story for tomorrow about people getting notices about their ACA premiums increasing.

Are you free for a quick chat?

Thanks so much!

Hi there.

I’m a health reporter with NBC News.

I’m working on a story for tomorrow about people getting notices about their ACA premiums going up next year.

Are you free to chat this afternoon?

Thanks for your time.

Hi there,

I'm a health reporter with NBC News. I'm working on an article for tomorrow about people getting notices about ACA premium increases for next year.

Are you free for a quick chat this afternoon?

Thanks so much!

Hi there. I’m a reporter with NBC News.

I’m working on a story for tomorrow about the ACA tax credits expiring — and hearing from folks that they’re starting to get notices about premiums going up.

Is your friend available for a quick chat? Thanks so much!

Hi there. I’m a reporter with NBC News.

I’m working on a story about the ACA tax credits expiring — and hearing from folks that they’re starting to get notices about premiums going up.

Are you available for a quick chat? Thanks so much!

Your health insurance through work could face higher premiums next year Employer surveys estimate health plan costs will climb about 9% next year, which may show up in workers’ monthly premiums or through higher deductibles and copays.

Your health insurance through work could face higher premiums next year www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

“a family of four earning $113,000 a year could see its monthly premium jump by about $1,550”

Families on Obamacare brace for higher health care premiums next year Tax credits made ACA plans affordable for middle-class families. They're set to expire at the end of this year.

Middle-class families on Obamacare brace for higher health care premiums next year www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Ahead of Kennedy hearing, GOP saw poll showing Trump voters support vaccines The poll, conducted by veteran Republican pollsters, found that a majority of Trump voters believe vaccines save lives and support immunizations against measles and hepatitis B.

Scoop! — Polling showing that a majority of Trump’s voters support vaccines was shared with several GOP lawmakers’ staffers in a closed-door meeting Wednesday, per two people familiar.

The poll results may explain the shift in tone from some GOP senators Thursday.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Kennedy draws bipartisan pushback at Senate hearing over moves to limit vaccines The health secretary got into heated exchanges with senators who questioned his vaccine policies and his decision to oust the CDC director.

NEW - During today's Senate hearing, Health Secretary RFK Jr. repeated false claims about Covid shots and, on several occasions, called Democratic senators liars. Notably, a number of GOP senators pressed Kennedy on vaccines.

Reporting w/ Aria Bendix

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

CDC director pushed out, flood of top resignations follow The ouster comes at a tumultuous time for the embattled health agency. Other top officials also submitted their resignations Wednesday.

At least four top officials have resigned in the wake of CDC director Monarez's firing
@erikaedwards.bsky.social @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

Why a Michigan man waited over a month in the hospital for stroke rehab His doctors recommended that he start an intensive rehab program within days of his stroke.

I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with @berkeleyjr.bsky.social the research toward my forthcoming book on health insurance denials and how they drive administrative burdens of appealing — an endurance contest that many patients forego. www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...

FDA warns about unapproved thyroid pills — then says it'll "ensure access" to them The apparent reversal illustrates the power of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, particularly with its focus on “natural” drugs.

NEW: The FDA warned about unapproved thyroid pills, then — after MAHA backlash— said it'll "ensure access" to them

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

CDC director tells staff ‘misinformation can be dangerous’ in agency meeting “We need to rebuild the trust together,” Susan Monarez said Tuesday, just days after a shooter fired close to 200 rounds that struck six buildings and killed an officer at the agency's campus.

NEW - CDC Director Susan Monarez warned staffers about the dangers of misinformation during an agencywide meeting Tuesday, according to a transcript of her remarks obtained by NBC News.

It was the first all-staff meeting since last week’s shooting.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Ultra-processed foods make up the majority of kids' diet, CDC report finds The report found the top source was sandwiches, including burgers and PB&Js, followed by baked goods.

Ultra‑processed foods now make up about 62% of kids’ daily calories and about 55% for everyone overall, according to the CDC. The top sources include burgers, baked goods, salty snacks and sugary drinks.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

How will Trump’s E.U. tariffs affect drug prices? Europe is a major manufacturing hub for brand-name drugs in particular, including the blockbuster drug Ozempic.

The U.S. gets nearly half of its brand-name prescription drugs from Europe.
by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social

How will Trump’s E.U. tariffs affect drug prices? Europe is a major manufacturing hub for brand-name drugs in particular, including the blockbuster drug Ozempic.

NEW - Trump’s trade deal with the E.U. may lead to higher prices for brand-name drugs in the United States, including blockbuster medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, experts say.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

Rural hospitals brace for painful choices after Trump's Medicaid and Obamacare cuts An estimated 17 million people could lose their health insurance, putting financial strain on hospitals.

NEW - Rural hospitals say they’re being forced to consider tough choices — like cutting services for children or cancer patients — after Trump signed into law a sprawling domestic policy bill that includes sweeping cuts to not only Medicaid but the ACA, as well.

www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...

‘A slap in the face’: Georgia and Arkansas’ Medicaid work rules may preview the road ahead The Republicans’ ‘big, beautiful bill’ makes huge changes to Medicaid, including rolling out work requirements nationwide for the first time.

Over the 10 months Arkansas’ work requirement was in place, more than 18,000 people in the state lost Medicaid coverage. Most were working or qualified for exemptions. by @berkeleyjr.bsky.social @nbcnews.com