Latest KFF Health News Stories
Newly Covered By Medi-Cal, Undocumented Children Also Seek Dental Care
Some dental clinics are expanding their hours to meet demand, but can an already stressed system satisfy the needs of children who haven’t seen a dentist in years?
Studies Link Cancer Patient’s Survival Time To Insurance Status
Research on patients with testicular cancer and others fighting a brain malignancy finds that people who are privately insured are more likely to be diagnosed earlier and survive longer.
California Aims To Limit Surprise Medical Bills
The problem, known as balance billing, happens when patients are treated by an out-of-network professional at an in-network facility. Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign the legislation.
Candidates Decry High Drug Prices, But They Have Few Options For Voters
Drug prices rise for a variety of reasons but opportunities for the government to control them is limited.
Viewpoints: Birth Control And The Court; Hill Bickering On Zika; Trump’s New Entitlement
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Commentary On Candidates’ Health: ‘Powering Through’ Illness; Concerns On Trump’s Weight
Opinion writers examine some of the issues revolving around Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s health.
Perspectives On Health Reform: How Will The Election Affect The Path Ahead?
Commentators analyze how the election could affect the politics around the health law and possible changes.
Longer Looks: Catching Zika Mosquitoes, Climbing Drug Prices And Treating Sugar Like A Drug
Each week, KHN’s Shefali Luthra finds interesting reads from around the Web.
Outlets report on health news from Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Utah, Tennessee, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio.
Iowa Supreme Court Asked To Review Governor’s Veto That Closed Two Mental Health Institutions
Meanwhile, Boston-area health centers get funding to improve children’s access to mental health services. In Ohio, drug treatment rules are debated. And Washington state’s largest psychiatric hospital is faulted for mistakes and lax security in a new report, following the escape of two violent patients.
Hospitals and medical centers in Texas, California, Illinois, Washington and Minnesota are in the news.
Allina Brings In Traveling Nurses During Strike
Meanwhile, the striking nurses highlighted some aspects of the hospital’s financial strategies.
State Officials Seek Feds’ OK To Expand Covered California To People In The Country Illegally
California will be the first state to seek federal permission to allow these immigrants to buy health insurance through the state-based exchange.
Positive Drug Tests Among U.S. Workers Reach Highest Level In A Decade
In related news, as the opioid abuse epidemic continues, law enforcement officers are increasingly facing challenges in protecting themselves from exposure to lethal substances.
Prostate Cancer Study Offers Insights Regarding Value Of Treatments
Researchers hailed findings that indicate the survival rate for early-stage prostate cancer is 99 percent after 10 years, regardless of whether men opted for surgery, radiation or were actively monitoring their conditions.
The Uphill Battle Of Fighting Zika: Americans Just Aren’t Worried Enough
A recent survey showed that two-thirds of Americans were “not too” worried or “not at all” worried about the disease. And without proper funding, public education becomes a crucial element to battling Zika. If people don’t care, though, that leaves officials at a loss. Meanwhile, a new poll shows that there are shifting views on late-term abortions now that the virus is spreading.
While Clinton Reveals More Details On Pneumonia, Trump Admits He’s Overweight
The campaign’s spotlight has shifted toward the candidates’ health in recent days, but the underlying concern has more to do with transparency issues.
Capitalizing On Renewed Interest From Clinton, Senators Launch Public Option Effort
The resolution to focus on building out a public option — introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley, Chuck Schumer, Patty Murray, Dick Durbin and Bernie Sanders — follows several tumultuous months for the exchanges.
Those Drugmaker Coupons Cut Costs In The Short-Term, But Are Actually Driving Up Prices
The Associated Press breaks down the pros and cons of the coupons, which are facing increased scrutiny because of the EpiPen controversy. Meanwhile, Allergan strengthens its skin-care pipeline by acquiring Vitae.
EpiPen-Maker’s CEO To Face Congressional Fire At Hearing On Price Gouging
Chief Executive Heather Bresch will testify in front of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next week. Meanwhile, senators plan to introduce a bill requiring drugmakers to give a 30-day notice and justification of any prescription drug price increase of more than 10 percent.