Kff Health

• Uganda ordered the closure of its border with Congo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following a surge of suspected Ebola cases in the neighboring country. • The decision follows the confirmation of Ebola cases within Uganda after local health workers were exposed to infected Congolese patients. • This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola that currently lacks approved vaccines or medicines, increasing the risk of contagion in East Africa.

• KFF Health News’ May 14, 2026 morning roundup flags multiple U.S. health-policy stories, including reporting that the Trump administration is demanding Medicaid data for deportation-related use. • The roundup also points readers to coverage of “License To Deliver,” which examines how some midwives are assisting home births while operating outside state law. • The digest matters because it aggregates fast-moving issues at the intersection of public health, immigration enforcement and maternal care, all of which could affect patients and providers nationwide.

• A KFF poll reveals 41% of US adults back the MAHA agenda amid rising healthcare concerns ahead of midterms. • 55% of respondents stated healthcare costs will have a 'major impact' on their voting decisions, outpacing food policy issues. • The survey, conducted recently, carries a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points, highlighting voter priorities in public health policy.

• Nearly two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults worry about affording health care costs, with 30% very worried, topping affordability concerns over gas prices. • Health care affordability remains the public's primary worry despite other economic pressures. • Poll highlights ongoing financial strain on households amid rising medical expenses.

• KFF published an update on March 24, 2026, to its tracker monitoring bilateral Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) under the US America First Global Health Strategy launched September 18, 2025. • These five-year plans (2026-2030) with partner countries aim to transition from US aid to domestic health spending, with implementation starting later in 2026. • The tracker, based on State Department releases and MOU documents, tracks signed agreements to build resilient health systems globally while affecting US policy.

• New national polls from KFF and West Health-Gallup show Americans cutting back on health care, including rationing medications, to afford rising costs affecting daily living and access. • Millions express worry about affording emergency services, routine visits, and prescription drugs, leading to dangerous health trade-offs. • US physicians report higher burnout, stress, and dissatisfaction than international peers, with female doctors at greater risk and shortages projected at 40,000 primary care doctors by 2036.