Health News Health Programs Could Be Stranded By Government Shutdown

Local health departments worry about government shutdown’s effects on staffing, disease outbreaks and nutrition services

The US government’s shutdown is shaking the nation at a time when public health staffing has already been reduced, the threat of disease outbreaks looms, and both the respiratory virus season and ... Read More

What the shutdown means for Medicare, Medicaid and other health programs

Core programs will keep running because their funding is built into law. But a popular Medicare benefit has already ended, and local health centers may be at risk unless Congress acts soon. Read More

How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Health

The safety and availability of food and medications could be at risk, as well as communication about public health hazards. Read More

WIC food assistance program for moms and children could run out of funds if shutdown persists

Because Wednesday marked the start of the 2026 fiscal year, the WIC program — which provides free, healthy food to low-income pregnant women, new moms and children under 5 — was due for an influx of ... Read More

As the shutdown drags on, these people will lose if health care subsidies expire

Celia Monreal worries every day about the cartilage loss in her husband’s knees. Not just because it’s hard for her to see ... Read More

How the government shutdown is hitting the health care system—and what the battle over ACA subsidies means

Major rifts over key health care issues are at the heart of the federal government shutdown that began at the stroke of midnight on Oct. 1, 2025. Read More

Expert: Prolonged government shutdown will start impacting Americans’ health care within a month

Shutdown could also cause health insurance premiums to rise, resulting in more Americans becoming uninsured, says Nancy Nielsen. Read More

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Democrats make this shutdown about the ACA

Julie Rovner is chief Washington correspondent and host of KFF Health News' weekly health policy news podcast, "What the Health?" A noted expert on health policy issues, Julie is the author of the ... Read More

How the Government Shutdown Could Affect Your Health

The safety and availability of food and medications will be at risk, as well as communication about public health hazards. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said they will be ”unable to ensure ... Read More

Local health departments worry about government shutdown’s effects on staffing, disease outbreaks and nutrition services

The US government’s shutdown is shaking the nation at a time when public health staffing has already been reduced, the threat of disease outbreaks looms, and both the respiratory virus season and ... Read More