Bram Sable-Smith
@realbrambo.bsky.social
Writing about abortion, guns, insulin, trans health care and the Midwest for KFF Health News Signal: Brambo.11
Sales taxes on healthcare and prescriptions could be on the table in Missouri as voters consider a ballot measure that would empower the legislature to replace state income taxes with higher sales taxes. @realbrambo.bsky.social reports ⤵️ kffhealthnews.org/health-care-...
A Sales Tax on Doctor Visits and Medicine? In Missouri, Some Worry - KFF Health News
A ballot measure to eliminate Missouri’s income tax would give the state legislature broad authority to levy new sales taxes to replace the lost revenue. Critics say that could mean adding a sales tax...
kffhealthnews.org
There are so many bigger problems in the world but google killing off its thesaurus function in favor of ai is a huge bummer
We’re gonna find more places to park Bram with a card table and a “let’s talk xxx” sign
Bram Sable-Smith@realbrambo.bsky.social · last mo.One of my goals as a journalist this year is to do a better job showing where my stories come from and how I report them. It's the best way I can think of to build trust. So let me pull back the curtain on my latest video for @kffhealthnews.org and @npr.org...
If a Lyme disease vaccine were approved, would you get it? @realbrambo.bsky.social asked hunters, who frequently cross paths with ticks. Watch to find out what he learned.
Bram Sable-Smith@realbrambo.bsky.social · last mo.One of my goals as a journalist this year is to do a better job showing where my stories come from and how I report them. It's the best way I can think of to build trust. So let me pull back the curtain on my latest video for @kffhealthnews.org and @npr.org...
We wanted to know how hunters felt about a possible new vaccine for Lyme disease, so we headed to a shooting range outside of St. Louis. Watch @realbrambo.bsky.social ⤵️ youtu.be/YTTqXsx5D5A
Would Hunters Take a Lyme Disease Vaccine? We Asked
YouTube video by KFF Health News
youtu.be
One of my goals as a journalist this year is to do a better job showing where my stories come from and how I report them. It's the best way I can think of to build trust. So let me pull back the curtain on my latest video for @kffhealthnews.org and @npr.org...
Yep, that’s me, setting up shop outside a shooting range in Missouri to ask hunters about a potential new vaccine for Lyme disease. I actually think it’s worth explaining how I came to make this video (link to the full video is below)…
NPR@npr.org · last mo.Drugmakers are working on a potential new shot to prevent the tick-borne illness. How might it fare in the era of vaccine skepticism?
Drugmakers are working on a potential new shot to prevent the tick-borne illness. How might it fare in the era of vaccine skepticism? n.pr/4eyOtEn
If a Lyme disease vaccine gets approved, how would it go over? We asked hunters
Drugmakers are working on a potential new shot to prevent the tick-borne illness. How might it fare in the era of vaccine skepticism?
n.pr
Once in a lifetime experience in KC. A sea of oranje through downtown. 🤯
SCOOP from @by-cjewett.bsky.social & me: Markwayne Mullin urged the Department of Health and Human Service to remove warnings from the FDA website about the health risks of the gas station drug kratom. Mullin owns equity in a leading kratom company called Botanic Tonics that could have benefited.
How an Addictive Gas Station Drug Found Allies in Trump’s Cabinet
nytimes.com
I went to Utah to see what life is like in America's new reality, where vaccine-preventable diseases are common again. Utah's measles outbreak has lasted 10 months. Pediatricians teared up in interviews. Mothers were stressed. 🧵My latest @wired.com @kffhealthnews.org www.wired.com/story/anguis...
Anguished Parents, Crying Doctors: Life Amid Utah’s Measles Outbreak
The state’s outbreak means adapting to America’s new reality, in which vaccine-preventable diseases become common again.
wired.com
On Jan. 6 this year, Trump's stock pickers bought some Eli Lilly. It was the beginning of a series of stock buys. All while the agencies he oversees undertook an agenda boosting GLP-1s, Lilly's flagship product. My latest for @kffhealthnews.org: kffhealthnews.org/health-indus...
Trump Bought Stock in Drugmaker as His Government Boosted Its Obesity Drugs - KFF Health News
New ethics disclosures show the president invested in Eli Lilly and a company that manufactures injectable devices as his health agencies implemented policies that benefited them.
kffhealthnews.org
To take advantage of the weather this year, I'm planning on buying the biggest grill I can find. A Max Weber, if you will.
Can't believe the World Cup is coming to my home state of Missouri this summer! I can't wait to show the world what we have to offer [ongoing highway expansion project that makes driving a nightmare]!
Last fall, I was told about a burgeoning world of apps offering AI therapy. I took a look: all over the app store, there are products for kids as young as 4. Many seem to use your data for advertising. What's it mean to have AI therapy? For @kffhealthnews.org: kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Your New Therapist: Chatty, Leaky, and Hardly Human - KFF Health News
With high demand for mental health care, a wave of artificial intelligence-powered chatbots are being marketed as therapy apps — with little evidence they work and few regulations.
kffhealthnews.org
When STL police shot and killed a 17-year-old in 2024, they said he was pointing a gun at them when they fired. Newly released video shows while he had a gun in his pocket, his hands were empty and he was turned away when an officer shot him in the back of the head www.stltoday.com/news/local/c...
Video shows teen shot in back of head by St. Louis police
The video was released Monday to "put pressure" on authorities and demand accountability, attorney Al Watkins told the Post-Dispatch.
stltoday.com
A lot of people choose their health insurance the same way they shop for a flight - sort by the lowest monthly price and click “buy.” If you have a high-deductible plan, we've got tips to make it work better for you. @kffhealthnews.org @npr.org
How to make a high-deductible health plan and HSA work for you
If you chose a cheaper health plan, you may be stuck with some hefty medical bills until you meet your deductible. Here's how to get the most out of your plan and health savings account.
npr.org
My @kff.org colleagues and I have been working on this for a while... the latest on the role that we think health care may be playing in voters' plans for 2026 www.kff.org/public-opini...
A Preview of the Role Health Care May Play in the 2026 Election | KFF
Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, this KFF issue brief examines the role health care has played in previous elections and what that may suggest about its potential role in 2026.
kff.org
Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill last week that will cut nearly $22 million to Medicaid disability services. The changes will lower reimbursement for caregivers. Families warn the cuts could be catastrophic. @realbrambo.bsky.social reports ⤵️
Families Defend Disability Services Amid Medicaid Cuts - KFF Health News
Idaho is positioning to slash Medicaid funding as state lawmakers grapple with the effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last year. On the tab...
kffhealthnews.org
OK: Using Rural Health Transformation $ to realign services could mean “shutting down service lines." MT: Rightsizing could mean “downsizing." WY: RHTP bill says facilities getting funding must “reduce unprofitable, duplicative or nonessential service lines." kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
Give and Take: Federal Rural Health Funding Could Trigger Service Cuts - KFF Health News
States are rolling out plans for their share of a $50 billion fund meant to improve rural health care. In some states, the money may provoke rural hospitals to cut services.
kffhealthnews.org
Dad Suggests Arriving At Airport 14 Hours Early https://theonion.com/dad-suggests-arriving-at-airport-14-hours-early-1819573933/
The Idaho Senate narrowly passed a bill that calls for nearly $22 million in budget cuts to Medicaid disability services, sending the legislation to the governor. #idleg #idpol
Idaho Senate passes $22M in Medicaid disability budget cuts, sending bill to governor • Idaho Capital Sun
The bill, House Bill 863, would cut provider reimbursement rates for residential habilitation services by $21.8 million next fiscal year.
idahocapitalsun.com
Four patients have died after the Idaho — facing budget shortfall — cut a mobile treatment program for people with severe mental illness. #idleg #idpol
Fourth patient dies after Idaho cut Medicaid mental health service • Idaho Capital Sun
Four patients have died after the state, facing budget shortfall, cut a mobile treatment program for people with severe mental illness.
idahocapitalsun.com
Harsh words from the Colorado Hospital Association: “Not only were CO’s rural hospitals’ recommendations disregarded,” but the plan includes ideas “they actively oppose and believe will harm the communities they serve.” My latest w/ @sjtribble-reports.bsky.social:
Timothy McBride@mcbridetd.bsky.social · 5mo agoLawmakers, Health Groups Resist Their States’ Rural Health Fund Plans kffhealthnews.org/news/article...
After several legislative moves to punt decisions on Medicaid cuts this year, Idaho Republican lawmakers on Monday introduced a bill to repeal Medicaid expansion. #idleg #idpol
Idaho Legislature introduces Medicaid expansion repeal bill • Idaho Capital Sun
After several legislative moves to punt decisions on Medicaid budget cuts, Idaho lawmakers introduced a bill to repeal Medicaid expansion.
idahocapitalsun.com
The number of people employed at the NIH is at its lowest level in at least two decades. Hear from six scientists run out by Trump and the work they left behind on cancer research, tick-borne diseases, and more. Me + @k-hought.bsky.social @kffhealthnews.org for @cnn.com www.cnn.com/2026/03/05/h...
Six federal scientists run out by Trump talk about the work left undone | CNN
Federal data shows the NIH lost about 4,400 people — more than 20% of its workforce. Scientists say the departures harm the U.S.’ ability to respond to disease outbreaks, develop treatments for chroni...
cnn.com
Services at risk include: 24/7 care that allows a 39-year-old with cerebral palsy to live independently; the in-home caregiving that lets a 26-year-old with brain damage stay in his family home; and private duty nursing for a 19-year-old with cerebral palsy who has qualified for hospice care.
Bram Sable-Smith@realbrambo.bsky.social · 5mo agoNEW: Most of the Medicaid cuts passed by congressional Republicans last year don't take effect until after the midterms, but the Trump's signature law is already squeezing state Medicaid programs. In Idaho, one service on the possible chopping block is home care for people with disabilities.
NEW: Most of the Medicaid cuts passed by congressional Republicans last year don't take effect until after the midterms, but the Trump's signature law is already squeezing state Medicaid programs. In Idaho, one service on the possible chopping block is home care for people with disabilities.
KFF Health News@kffhealthnews.org · 5mo agoIn the wake of the federal Big Beautiful Bill, state lawmakers in Idaho and elsewhere are mulling cuts to Medicaid services that help disabled people live at home or in their communities. “We just hold our breath every legislative session,” says one mother. @realbrambo.bsky.social reports ⤵️
I’m always for more data. But, be careful using the new Medicaid spending data released by the Trump administration. It’s missing a lot of important details and context. www.kff.org/medicaid/wha...
What Newly Released Medicaid Data Do and Don’t Tell Us | KFF
On February 14, 2026, CMS released a dataset with provider-level spending data that the agency suggests could be used to identify unusual billing patterns for specific services, states, or providers. ...
kff.org