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 data shows flu cases continue to spike in Iowa, as rates of COVID and RSV remain relatively low. -
New research shows strong ties between alcohol and cancer, which has reignited a debate among experts about the health impacts of drinking, even in moderate amounts. -
Starting this month, Iowa Medicaid will start covering postpartum care for 12 months. Previously, coverage ended at 60 days. -
President-elect Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and pollster J. Ann Selzer over its poll that inaccurately predicted Democratic candidate Kamala Harris would win Iowa. -
Older Black and Latino people are significantly more likely to get diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease than older white people, despite recent medical advancements. Some are trying to close that gap. -
Data shows the number of clinician-provided abortions fell in Iowa following a law that went into effect in late July banning the procedure when cardiac activity is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy. -
Abortion is a major topic in this year's election following an Iowa Supreme Court decision this summer that allowed a restrictive abortion law to go into effect. Democrats are leaning hard on reproductive rights to win them seats this election. -
The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the 17-year-old student responsible for killing two people and injuring six others acted alone. -
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is among those leading a lawsuit against the federal government's new requirement for nursing home staffing. -
Iowa Democrats and union leaders call for increased protections following Fort Madison prison attackIowa Democrats and AFSCME Council 61 are calling on state lawmakers to increase pay and protections for correctional officers following an attack at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison last week.
