Natalie Krebs
Health ReporterExpertise: Telling stories about health, Medicaid and maternal health
Education: Masters degree from the University of Texas at Austin, Bachelors degree from the University of Oregon
Favorite Iowa Destination: Yellow River State Forest
Experience:
- Has written features on abortion access and women's health care in Iowa, the opioid epidemic, state health agencies, rural health care access and medical care for elders
- Served as a fellow with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism in 2021, producing an in-depth three part series on COVID-19's impact on Iowa's meatpacking industry and its workers
- Regularly contributes to Side Effects Public Media, a regional health news collaboration exploring the impacts of place, policy and economics on Americans' health
- Has produced features for Morning Edition, All Things Considered, Here & Now and Native News
- Has attended the Association of Health Care Journalists annual conference
- Is an award-winning reporter, including a Best Health/Medical Reporting award from the Public Media Journalists Association in 2024 for "Fixing Understaffed Nursing Homes"
My Favorite Stories
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An Iowa law that bans abortion as early as six weeks of pregnancy is poised to go into effect next week. The law could have rippling effects on abortion care across the Midwest. -
Seniors who are hospitalized with even a minor illness or injury are at risk of "hospital-acquired disability," which puts them at risk of rehospitalizations and a downward spiral that could eventually land them in a nursing home. -
Thirteen states across the U.S., including much of the Midwest, introduced bills this year that could give some rights to embryos and fetuses usually associated with people. None passed but people in the fertility world are concerned that lawmakers will try again and what that means for reproductive rights. -
New proposed rules for nursing home staffing levels by the Biden administration elicited mixed reactions. Nursing home workers say they’re much needed and long overdue. But some Republican governors echo the long-term care industry’s concerns. They say the measures will push some facilities to shut down. -
Recent studies have found elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water correlates with health issues like cancer and thyroid disease — even below what current federal standards deem as safe. But health research necessary to take federal action is slow-going, and some environmental health experts are concerned officials aren’t acting fast enough.
My Latest Stories
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State officials recently announced that they will end the state's Integrated Health Home program, which supports severely mentally ill Iowans, and will transition them to the newly-formed Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. -
The state's major overhaul of its mental health and disability service systems is going into effect this week. Officials say they hope it makes it easier for Iowans to access services. -
Many people are concerned that Iowa’s high cancer rates are tied to the state’s large agricultural industry and all the chemicals farmers use to grow crops and kill weeds. But researchers say making that connection is hard. -
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund ranks Iowa's health system 18th in the nation. But experts said gains made in reducing the state's uninsured rate could be affected by federal proposals to cut health safety net programs. -
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is proposing to cut billions from Medicaid, which could affect coverage for thousands of Iowans. Here's a breakdown of what's happening with the bill and what it means for Iowans. -
Planned Parenthood North Central States announced it plans to close four clinics in Iowa, leaving the state with just two clinics in Ames and Iowa City. -
The Trump administration has proposed large cuts to the National Institutes of Health and implemented layoffs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Some worry this could impact Iowa's cancer rates. -
The Family Planning Council of Iowa says it has only received half its expected Title X funding, which could affect thousands of low-income Iowans who rely on its services. -
Gov. Kim Reynolds directed the state health department to seek federal approval for Medicaid work requirements, she announced Tuesday. -
The Iowa Maternal Mortality Review Committee's most recent report found the majority of deaths between 2019 and 2021 were preventable.
