University Health President and CEO Charlie Shields said 50% of the hospital's patients are on Medicaid.

Kansas

Medical costs are rising, with the Consumer Price Index showing a 3.4% increase in medical care expenses over the past year. In Kansas City, many families are concerned about potential Medicaid cuts under President Trump's budget bill, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates could result in over 10 million people losing Medicaid coverage in the next ten years.

University Health President and CEO Charlie Shields reports that half of the hospital's patients rely on Medicaid, highlighting the potential widespread impact. While some lawmakers claim there will be no benefit cuts due to compromise language in the bill, others remain concerned about the consequences for patients and hospitals. The bill also includes funding for rural hospitals, with $1 billion earmarked for Missouri over five years.

Medicaid recipients prepare for outcomes of Trump's budget bill

But first tonight at six, inflation is back on the rise. Well, we often feel the impacts at the grocery store, especially and on those utility bills. Medical bills actually saw one of its biggest increases so far this year. In fact, new numbers today from the Consumer Price Index show. Medical care is slowly getting more expensive, rising 0.6% from May to June, so that includes everything from your prescription to hospital services. In fact, over the last year it's been a total increase of 3.4% and those numbers have real impacts too. We've certainly heard the voices of families all across the Kansas City area this year. Those fighting cuts to Medicaid, others sharing their journeys and their financial struggles just to keep their loved ones healthy. I just feel like I'm running crazy. We're trying to work things out with the insurance and then on top of having to deal with the diagnosis. Without it, I'll die. I won't be able to afford $35 a copay. For every visit, so we're going in depth on this topic tonight. KSHB 41 reporter Elise Shownick covers health care costs and tonight she's amplifying the voice of people who could see a direct impact from these Medicaid changes. We've been talking a lot about President Trump's budget bill and its impact on Medicaid. I spoke with a hospital CEO and a Medicaid recipient who say that these changes will impact all of us, even if you're not on Medicaid. I went back to college. At 50 years old, you know, and I'm studying political science. Heather Powell's worlds are colliding. The now poli sci student relies on Medicaid to pay for HIV medications. Explaining to an employer if you have to disclose is very hard. I've been alone all my life because I didn't want to discuss it with anyone because of the stigma. She says her HIV and its symptoms have made it hard for her to hold regular jobs. Powell isn't alone in relying on Medicaid. University Health President and CEO Charlie Shields says 50% of their patients are on Medicaid. We are Missouri's only true safety net hospital. That's why our Medicaid percentage is so high. So this is near and dear to us. The Congressional Budget Office predicts over 10 million people will lose Medicaid coverage in the next 10 years because of President Trump's budget bill. Shields says people who lose their Medicaid will still need health care and someone to pay for it. That cost if it's uncompensated care for many hospitals gets covered by commercial insurance. It's sort of the offset. The offset could then increase the bill of non Medicaid patients. Shields says University Health will work to prepare all of its patients on Medicaid to meet the new work and eligibility requirements. There should be no university health patients that are going to be surprised. January 1, 2027 will have him ready. As for Heather, she doesn't want to have to rely on Medicaid to keep her healthy and functioning because I've been positive so long. Opportunistic infections, come quick. My viral load goes up and. I guess sick once she's done with school, Powell will advocate for other people in her shoes. In Kansas City, Elise Schoenig KSHB 41 news. We talk with Republican lawmakers who represent our area and voted in favor of President Trump's bill about those Medicaid changes and we will see no benefit cuts whatsoever. Again, because of of compromise language we were able to win and get put into the bill. So there's a lot of work to do on this. I think it's a mistake to cut Medicaid. I've always said that I continue to believe it. We have prevented it from happening in Missouri. Well, he adds his negotiations created $50 billion for rural hospitals in the bill, including $1 billion for Missouri over the next five years.

U.S. President Donald Trump is still dealing with fallout from his own supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. CBS News Department of Justice reporter Jake Rosen has more.

Washington

Trump says Epstein conspiracy theory is hoax started by Democrats

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that she spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and that the two had agreed to strengthen trade collaboration, particularly in light of the tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump set to go in effect on August 1.

Mexico City

Global Tariffs

Mexico plans to strengthen trade with Canada

Former President Barack Obama joined his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, on her latest podcast episode with her brother Craig Robinson to address divorce rumors.

Obamas address divorce rumors on Michelle’s podcast

Israel struck Syrian military targets as well as central Damascus on Wednesday (July 16) as it continued its campaign to protect Druze minority communities in southern Syria.

Damascus

Israel strikes Damascus as fighting rages in southern Syria

U.S. ambassador Mike Huckabee's appearance at Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial follows President Trump's call for Israel to throw out the case or pardon the Israeli prime minister.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

U.S. ambassador attends Netanyahu trial to show support from Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were in the works as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners.

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At least 20 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday (July 16) at an aid distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in what the U.S.-backed group said was a crowd surge instigated by armed agitators. This video contains graphic images.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Crush at Gaza aid site kills at least 20, GHF blames agitators

Police in Los Angeles have arrested a 22-year-old suspect in the double homicide of American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. The couple, both 70 years old, was found shot to death in their home earlier this week.

Encino

Police make arrest in murders of American Idol executive, husband

Streaming shows dominated nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards. "Severance" earned the most series nominations with 27. Meanwhile, "The Studio" earned the most-ever nominations for a debut comedy series with 23.

Hollywood

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The United Torah Judaism party has decided to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition over its failure to secure military service exemptions. Members of the ultra-orthodox community have been exempted from enlisting in the army since 1948.

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New information about the Jeffrey Epstein case may soon be made public after a reversal from U.S. President Donald Trump and weeks of criticism — the loudest of which has come from within the MAGA movement.

Epstein files may be released after Trump reversal

Russia's Vladimir Putin has rejected President Trump's ultimatum for Moscow to sign a ceasefire deal with Ukraine in the next 50 days. Trump has threatened to issue a 100% tariff on any country that does business with Russia if no ceasefire deal is reached.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

Russia rejects Trump's ultimatum for ceasefire in Ukraine

Fighting has erupted in the southern Syrian city of As Suwayda just six hours after a ceasefire was announced. Earlier on Tuesday, Syrian government forces withdrew heavy vehicles from the city, hoping to ease tensions.

As Suwayda

Fighting erupts in Syria’s As Suwayda hours after ceasefire deal

Two laptops and hard drives containing watermarked and unreleased music by Beyoncé were stolen from her choreographer’s rental car in Atlanta, according to police.

Atlanta

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The House Committee on Education and Workforce is holding its ninth hearing in 18 months on antisemitism on college campuses. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more details.

Anger at House committee hearing on antisemitism in college campuses

An Air India Boeing airplane crashed in northwestern India in June, killing all people on board but one passenger. India's aviation regulator has now ordered airlines to examine fuel control switches on several Boeing models.

New Delhi

India orders airlines to inspect Boeing airplane models after crash

Controversy on Capitol Hill over the so-called Epstein Files is seemingly not going away anytime soon.

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An Israeli scheme to move hundreds of thousands of already uprooted Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" in Gaza has led politicians to spar with the defense establishment. Critics inside and outside Israel have denounced the proposal.

Critics slam Israeli scheme to move Gazans to 'humanitarian city'

At least two people were killed in a New Jersey flash flooding event, Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday morning as heavy rains are expected to continue battering the Northeast. CBS News' Rob Marciano has more details.

New Jersey

Two killed in New Jersey flash flooding

After over a week of negotiations in Doha, a truce in Gaza remains elusive, despite intensified efforts by mediators. The stalemate continues as both Hamas and Israel trade blame over ongoing strikes.

Doha

Gaza truce still out of reach after Doha talks

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump's administration to resume dismantling the Department of Education, part of his bid to shrink the federal government's role in education in favor of more control by the states.

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Syria's government troops entered the Sweida region following deadly clashes on Tuesday, while Israel carried out strikes against them, saying it was acting to protect the Druze minority.

Syrian forces enter Sweida city following deadly clashes

Heavy rains slammed the Northeast and caused flash floods in the New York City subway system. CBS News' Rob Marciano has the latest.

New York

Flash flooding pummels NYC and slams subway lines

US President Donald Trump told Russia to end its war in Ukraine within 50 days or face massive new economic sanctions, as he laid out plans for infusions of weaponry for Kyiv via NATO. "We're going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don't have a deal in 50 days, tariffs at about 100 percent," Trump said.

Trump gives Moscow 50-day ultimatum over Ukraine war

A Gaza-bound boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid left Sicily, over a month after Israel detained and deported people aboard a previous vessel.

Sicily

New Gaza-bound aid boat leaves Italy

The U.S. will manufacture more weapons to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion. President Trump said European nations will be footing the bill.

U.S. to send more weapons to Ukraine

Christian leaders have accused Israeli settlers of attacking sacred sites in the West Bank. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III - visiting the Christian town of Taybeh with other clerics - said settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th century church there last week.

Clerics accuse West Bank settlers of attacking Christian sites

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is in Beijing ahead of talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He's there to broaden economic cooperation with China, which is Australia's top trade partner, while taking into account security concerns.

Beijing

Australia's Albanese pushes Aussie exports in China visit

In an Oval Office meeting, President Trump announced that the US will sell weapons to European nations, who will then send them to Ukraine. The president also threatened new trade consequences if no peace deal is reached with Ukraine within 50 days.

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Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary and the U.S. are returning from the International Space Station following the historic Axiom Mission 4 trip. CBS News' consultant Bill Harwood joins with more details.

Breakdown