National politics and health policy reporter @AP
Joined June 2011
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- Followers 2,498
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166 Photos and videos
Ali Swenson retweeted
"States are going to be asked to make a determination using information that doesn’t exist in their systems"
Still lots of confusion over whether/how frailty determinations for work requirements can be automated
And states don't have the luxury of time for CMS to figure it out
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Jun 11
How do you prove you're too sick to work 80 hours a month?
The question is worrying patients like cancer survivor DeAnna Brandon, whose Medicaid coverage could ultimately depend on her ability to do just that.
New from me: apnews.com/article/medicaid-…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
Jun 4
New w/ @dariustahir
RFK Jr. and his allies are pursuing access to Americans' medical records for autism, vaccine research through little-known state systems that collect patient information from many hospitals & health systems across the U.S.
cnn.com/2026/06/04/health/me…
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Jun 3
Zach Lahn's upset in the Iowa GOP primary for governor revealed cracks in Trump’s coalition in the deep-red state. It also marked a potential breakthrough moment for the MAHA movement.
More here with @hrfingerhut:
apnews.com/article/lahn-feen…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
Jun 2
Q: If the president is in such perfect health, why does he keep going back in for checkups?
DR OZ: I think he likes the results. He does really well. He aces the test every single day.
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Jun 1
Hundreds of youths in Kenya are protesting the establishment of an Ebola quarantine center in the country where the U.S. plans to fly American citizens who are exposed to the virus abroad.
By @EvelyneMusambi apnews.com/article/ebola-ken…
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May 28
Earlier this week I called snake experts about this 2024 clip. They said this method could lead to bites & harm the snake.
"The amount of force needed to control the head so the snake can’t bite is likely to cause the snake a lot of pain, and potentially break bones," one said.
In response to the many comments about venomous snakes, this video shows how Cheryl and I handled a recent rattlesnake rescue.
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May 28
The Minneapolis immigration crackdown ended months ago. For these little kids, trauma remains
apnews.com/article/immigrati…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
May 27
ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an 'alarming' rate, an AP investigation finds apnews.com/article/ice-suici…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
May 27
There is one handwashing station and one infrared thermometer to fight the Ebola epidemic in this camp for 10,000 displaced people in Bunia, a city at the heart of the outbreak in eastern Congo. apnews.com/article/congo-ebo…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
May 22
WASHINGTON (AP) — Tulsi Gabbard resigns as Trump’s national intelligence director, citing husband's health, in 4th Cabinet departure.
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Ali Swenson retweeted
May 22
SCOOP: Senior FDA tobacco officials tasked with enforcing vaping regulations were not consulted on the new guidelines and only learned of them the night before they were published: apnews.com/article/fda-vapin…
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May 21
HHS is now using AI to police how states and other recipients of federal health dollars are auditing their programs.
The official in charge says he's been in touch with other federal agencies in hopes they follow his lead.
apnews.com/article/hhs-healt…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
May 21
NEW: The tobacco company Reynolds American donated $5M to the Trump-backed super PAC MAGA Inc. on 4/30/2026.
8 days later, the Trump administration rolled out a new policy that could be lucrative for Reynolds by allowing it to begin selling flavored vapes nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/po…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
May 20
BREAKING: Barney Frank, a longtime Democratic congressman who crafted financial reforms and brought visibility to gay rights, dies. apnews.com/article/barney-fr…
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May 20
Dr. Oz and his deputy administrator Stephanie Carlton are currently sharing their strategic plan for CMS in a @BPC_Bipartisan forum.
Among other things, it cements how the agency is embracing artificial intelligence: "AI first for ourselves and our customers."
ALT Screenshot of a slide showing the 2026-2031 CMS Strategic Framework. Four priorities are Leading Payor (AI first for ourselves and our customers), Crush Fraud (Systematically reduce inappropriate spending), MAHA (Give Americans the tools they need for better health outcomes) and Drive Affordability (Partner to better align spending and value).
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May 20
Tillis... Cassidy... Massie. More. The YOLO caucus is in session. By @stevenpsloan and @Cappelletti7 apnews.com/article/congress-…
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May 19
ICYMI: Nationwide enrollment in the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace could plummet by nearly 5 million people this year, according to a new KFF analysis. apnews.com/article/affordabl…
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May 18
President Donald Trump on Monday announced more than 600 generic medications are being added to the government’s discounted-drug website TrumpRx:
apnews.com/article/trump-tru…
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Ali Swenson retweeted
May 17
Bill Cassidy tried to satisfy Trump and his supporters, but they didn't forgive him after he voted to convict at the president's impeachment trial over the Jan. 6 riot. The senator finished third in Saturday's Republican primary in Louisiana. apnews.com/article/cassidy-s…
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