Nov 6, 2019

Judge blocks rule that denies health services based on moral, religious grounds

A federal judge in New York rejected a Trump administration rule on Wednesday that would have allowed medical workers to deny services based on their religion or ideology, including abortion or sex reassignment surgery.

The big picture: The most restrictive abortion laws in generations are being challenged in courts across America's red states. This rule from the Department of Health and Human Services was challenged by several women's groups and individual states that claimed it was unconstitutional, AP reports.

Go deeper: Planned Parenthood plans massive spending campaign for 2020

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Caitlin Owens

Hospitals vow to take Trump to court

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Hospitals immediately promised to sue the Trump administration after it released two new price transparency regulations on Friday, threatening the future of one of the president's most ambitious health policies.

Why it matters: Politically, the Trump administration could use a win: Most of its other signature health reforms either didn't come to fruition or are tied up in court.

Go deeperNov 18, 2019

Marisa Fernandez

CDC: Abortions are steadily dropping in the U.S.

Data: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Chart: Axios Visuals

Women ages 15 to 44 years old received abortions at a lower rate from 2015 to 2016, data released Wednesday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows.

The big picture: Many red state lawmakers have been challenging abortion rights by passing six-week "heartbeat" bans with no exceptions for rape or incest. Meanwhile, many progressive states are loosening restrictions on abortions for later-term pregnancies.

Go deeperNov 27, 2019

Bob Herman

Health insurers are eating higher medical costs

Data: Company filings; Chart: Naema Ahmed/Axios

Almost all of the major health insurance companies are spending more on medical care this year than they have in the past.

The big picture: Rising prices and more services for some sicker patients are among the many reasons why this is happening. That uptick in spending has freaked out Wall Street, even though insurers are still quite profitable.

Go deeperNov 7, 2019