What's Happening

Health

Pregnancy in the South Is Already High-Risk — Medicaid Cuts Could Make It Even Deadlier

What's going on: Women in the South are three times more likely to experience late pregnancy loss than those in other US regions, according to a new report from the health advocacy group United States of Care. Fetal deaths after 24 weeks’ gestation have been decreasing since 1990, but states like Mississippi, Georgia, and Arkansas still have the highest fetal mortality rates in the country. The report, based on CDC preliminary data, attributes the South’s higher rates of late pregnancy loss to poor perinatal care as well as a lack of Medicaid expansion. Black women are disproportionately affected, experiencing fetal loss at more than twice the rate of other racial groups — largely due to higher rates of conditions like hypertension and diabetes. “We are losing lives,” said the lead author of the report. “At what point are we going to stand up and say enough is enough?”

What it means: The outlook for maternal health in the US is already grim, and experts warn it could soon get worse. Medicaid covers more than 40% of births nationwide — an even higher share in many Southern states. That coverage could be at risk as Congress considers major cuts, including a directive for the committee overseeing Medicaid and Medicare to find $880 billion in savings over the next decade. While some lawmakers insist safety-net programs won’t take the hit, health experts worry Medicaid funding is on the chopping block. Depending on how the budget cuts are made, thousands of low-income mothers could lose access to critical prenatal and postpartum care.

Related: Georgia Dismissed Members of Its Maternal Health Panel — and Won’t Say Who’s Replacing Them (ProPublica)

US News

A Tough Pill To Swallow: Florida Wants Pharmacies' Medical Data

What's going on: Florida is knocking on patients’ medicine cabinets. Earlier this year, the state’s insurance regulator told pharmacy benefit managers to hand over prescription data for everyone who filled an Rx in the state in 2024 — even if they don’t live in Florida. This includes the patient’s name, date of birth, and doctor information. In a letter reviewed by The New York Times, the regulator says the data request is to ensure that companies aren’t overcharging for medication. However, privacy experts say Florida doesn’t need personal details to spot price hikes. It’s unclear how many pharmacies have complied with the request. While states have asked for prescription data before, they usually leave out identifying details. This level of specificity? Not exactly standard.

What it means: Aside from this sparking serious HIPAA concerns, some health experts question whether Florida has motives beyond policing drug prices. The state has some of the strictest laws on abortion and gender-affirming care for minors. As one health expert put it: “You have to worry: Is the government actually trying to get information about reproductive care or transgender care or mental health care?” The American Benefits Council has asked the state to withdraw its request and turn over any patient information it has obtained. Meanwhile, privacy experts warn that the more hands this data passes through, the higher the risk of a breach or hack. Still, Florida isn’t backing down, saying concerns are coming from people who “do not want to be regulated or have any oversight in their industry."

Related: Florida Reported Its First Case of Measles (ABC News)

Media

Inside Trump's Meme-ified White House Press Machine

What's going on: President Donald Trump knows the power of optics — after all, his political career kicked off with a golden escalator ride. Now, his new administration appears to be following suit, implementing a meme-ified media strategy that’s grabbing plenty of attention. The White House’s traditional press shop has transformed into a rapid-response, “all offense, all the time” operation, according to Trump’s former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon. It’s largely run by influencers in their 20s and 30s, who aren’t in politics but know how to create content that catches the eye, The Washington Post reports. Trump’s team is churning out clicky “MAGA Minute” videos, Valentine’s Day deportation memes, and even spinning a satirical “Trump Gaza” clip to their advantage. The approach seems to be working: the president’s first Cabinet meeting got 6 million views on X. Meanwhile, the Press Room has opened its doors to “new media,” welcoming mostly right-wing podcasters, TikTokers, and bloggers who are friendly to Trump.

What it means: This is a far cry from the White House media strategy of yore (please, let’s not revisit former President Joe Biden’s “I’m sick” post). Trump tested this media playbook leading up to the election, leaning hard on podcast bros and the “Manosophere,” a stark contrast to former VP Kamala Harris’s big “brat” energy. Experts have a theory about the Trump administration’s strategy: After criticizing the media for years, the president appears to be offering an alternative — a “partisan press,” as one scholar puts it. Meanwhile, a White House spokesperson says their approach focuses on promoting Trump’s “America First message far and wide.”

Related: The Democrats Seem To Have a “Young Man Problem” (Vox)