New California Coronavirus Case Reveals Problems with U.S. Testing Protocols
By Anna Maria Barry-Jester and Rachel Bluth
February 27, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Disease experts say a new coronavirus case in California underscores the need for more widespread community testing for the illness, as well as problems caused by the delays in getting functional coronavirus test kits to state and local public health agencies.
California Attempts To Revive Compassionate Cannabis Programs
By Mark Kreidler
December 20, 2019
KFF Health News Original
After the state legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, new taxes and regulations decimated an ad hoc network that had donated cannabis for medical purposes to patients who could not afford it. A recent law seeks to revive the network, but hurdles remain.
A Guide To Following The Health Debate In The 2020 Elections
By Julie Rovner
January 30, 2020
KFF Health News Original
As the Democratic primary campaign nears pivotal voting, important aspects of health care policy are being overlooked.
Playing On Fear And Fun, Hospitals Follow Pharma In Direct-To-Consumer Advertising
By Shefali Luthra
November 19, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Hospitals are increasingly advertising medical services directly to patients to enhance their national brands. They think the image building improves their ability to negotiate with health plans and brings in wealthier patients.
Drumbeat Builds For A Peace Corps Of Caregivers
By Judith Graham
October 10, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The notion of a national program to tend to the day-to-day needs of a booming older population has circulated for years. Now, there are grants ― and grit ― behind it.
Readers And Tweeters Demand Action On Gun Violence, Mental Health Care Options
December 3, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Surging Health Care Worker Quarantines Raise Concerns As Coronavirus Spreads
By Jenny Gold
March 9, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The number of U.S. health care workers who have been ordered to self-quarantine because of potential exposure to the new coronavirus is rising at an exponential pace. Many experts say something has to change.
Pence Leaves Out Key Details About Health Coverage Of Coronavirus Testing
By Julie Appleby
March 6, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The vice president’s remarks are more proof that health care is complicated.
Democrats, Republicans Unite Against Much-Hated Surprise Medical Bills At Hearing In Rare Bipartisan Battle
April 3, 2019
Morning Briefing
Not everyone in the health industry, though, is feeling quite as gung-ho as Congress. Hospitals and some medical-specialty groups say that the federal government shouldn’t dictate terms between private business, and that establishing rates for out-of-network bills could be a slippery slope that later leads to broader rate setting.
Compression Garments Can Ease Lymphedema. Covering Costs? Not So Easy.
By Carmen Heredia Rodriguez
October 23, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Private insurance plans vary in coverage for compression garments, and some fall short of meeting patients’ needs. Although Medicaid programs cover some of these expenses, Medicare does not.
Can Insurers Use Genetic Testing Results? A Reader Wants To Know
By Michelle Andrews
July 10, 2018
KFF Health News Original
Other readers ask what can be done to challenge unexpected medical bills — whether the result of an emergency room visit or after a change in prescription drug coverage.
Coronavirus Fuels Explosive Growth In Telehealth ― And Concern About Fraud
By Fred Schulte
April 22, 2020
KFF Health News Original
“Unscrupulous providers” could take advantage of the boom in treatment delivered via voice or video calls.
States Have Been Leading The Charge Against Surprise Medical Bills–Can Congress Catch Up?
April 5, 2019
Morning Briefing
At least 25 states now have laws protecting patients from surprise out-of-network bills. Now, there’s starting to be more movement in Congress over the issue, which both Republicans and Democrats have spoken out against. In other news: outpatient prices outpace in-office costs for same treatments, and why cash rewards are powerful enough to change consumers’ behavior.
How Do We Exit The Shutdown? Hire An Army Of Public Health Workers
By Anna Maria Barry-Jester
April 13, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The pandemic has exposed massive cracks in the foundations of the U.S. public health system. Getting the country back to normal, experts say, will require a major investment in Public Health 101: training a corps of workers who can track people with the virus and prevent them from passing it to others.
Walmart To Give Workers Financial Incentives To Use Higher-Quality Doctors
By Phil Galewitz
October 3, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The program, which will roll out next year in three parts of the country, seeks to encourage workers on the company’s health plan to choose doctors that have been identified as providing “appropriate, effective and cost-efficient care.”
5 Things To Know About Trump’s Medicaid Block Grant Plan
By Rachana Pradhan and Phil Galewitz
January 31, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials unveiled guidance for states that want to opt out of some of the current funding program and instead seek a fixed payment to gain more flexibility.
Readers And Tweeters Stay At Home And Stay In Touch With KHN
April 13, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Beyond The Shattered Lives And Bodies, Money Worries Weigh On Las Vegas Victims
By Anna Gorman
October 27, 2017
KFF Health News Original
Many of the gunshot survivors who suffered serious injuries face not only high deductibles and out-of-network charges but also lost wages.
Klobuchar Leans In On Support For Roe V. Wade, Planned Parenthood
By Shefali Luthra
November 21, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Some of the numbers cited by the Minnesota senator during Wednesday’s Democratic presidential debate miss the mark.