VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Hospital Surprise: Medicare’s Observation Care
You’re in a hospital and think you’re admitted. Maybe not. Many Medicare beneficiaries are surprised to learn that even after spending a couple of days, they are receiving observation care, which Medicare considers an outpatient service, so the seniors’ costs can be more than expected.
Who’s Affected By Insurers’ Pullbacks And What It Could Mean For The ACA’s Future
Health insurance giant Aetna will stop selling insurance through most state exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act. It’s the third major insurer to pull back from Obamacare. Who’s affected and what this means for the future of the ACA.
Health Care Fades Into The Background Of 2016 Election Cycle
With Obamacare battles largely behind us, presidential candidates in 2016 seem focused on other issues.
For Parents Of Preemies, Life Starts With A Complex Fight For Survival
KHN’s Jenny Gold joins The Takeaway to discuss the challenges faced by parents of premature babies in the NICU.
Video: Baltimore Hospitals Work To Repair Frayed Trust In Black Communities
The neighborhoods where people live and work often determine their health. Nowhere is that more true than in West Baltimore.
Map: In Poor Baltimore Neighborhoods, Life Expectancy Similar to Developing Countries
In Sandtown, where Freddie Gray lived and the median household income is less than a quarter of Roland Park’s, the life expectancy is 70 years. That matches the average life expectancy in North Korea, an impoverished dictatorship where millions suffer from chronic undernourishment, according to the United Nations.
A Deeper Look Into The Planned Parenthood Videos And Indictment
KHN’s Julie Rovner joined four other panelists Wednesday on WAMU’s The Diane Rehm Show, where they discussed what makes an undercover investigation criminal and the ongoing political battle over Planned Parenthood’s role and funding.
A Closer Look At The Senate’s Investigation Of Tainted Medical Scopes
A Senate investigation recently found that 16 hospitals around the U.S. failed to file mandatory paperwork with the federal government after patients at their hospitals became infected or died from the use of tainted medical scopes. KHN’s Chad Terhune, who reported on the story for the Los Angeles Times, spoke with Madeline Brand on KCRW’s Press Play about the investigation and steps the scope maker is taking to stop the infections.
Pharmacists Prescribing Birth Control And What It Means For Wider Access To The Pill
Two western states — California and Oregon — have passed laws allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control. Public health advocates see it as a way to expand access to the pill, and many doctors say it’s safe. But others argue these measures don’t go far enough.
Last Chances Approach To Sign Up For 2016 Obamacare Coverage
With a two-day extension, December 17th is now the last chance to sign up for Obamacare health insurance coverage that starts Jan. 1 through the federal exchange. Open enrollment for the plans continues through the end of January, however.
Why Nearly Half Of The Obamacare Co-Ops Have Folded
As open enrollment begins for the health exchanges, one development that’s turning into a concern is the collapse of a number of alternative insurance plans known as co-ops. KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey joins PBS NewsHour’s Judy Woodruff to answer real Americans’ questions about shopping for coverage.
It’s Open Enrollment Time: What To Know About Obamacare Costs
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey appeared on PBS NewsHour to talk about open enrollment season to buy health insurance coverage on healthcare.gov and online state marketplaces.
Are Medicare ACOs Working? Experts Disagree
Federal officials reported recently that in 2014 the accountable care organizations saved $411 million, but after the program paid bonuses to the successful groups, Medicare recorded a net loss of $2.6 million. So KHN asked a panel of experts to offer their views about the program.
California’s Right-To-Die Law Sparks Reaction
Scott Shafer of KQED and The California Report hosted a special radio broadcast on California’s landmark aid-in-dying law, and talked to reporter April Dembosky, advocates and critics of the law, and the husband of the woman whose lobbying — and death — sparked the debate.
Letter To The Editor: FitBit On The Privacy And Safety Of Users’ Data
KHN periodically highlights reader reaction and responses to our stories. We edit for space and require full names. In response to KHN’s story, Workplace Wellness Programs Put Privacy At Risk (Hancock, 9/30) – Amy McDonough, vice president and general manager, Fitbit Wellness: Privacy is an important issue for our company. As the market leader in connected health […]
Answering Your Questions On The ‘Cadillac Tax’
The excise tax will be levied on health insurance plans costing more than $10,200 for an individual or $27,500 for a family. Any value over those thresholds will be taxed at 40 percent, and that’s likely to affect consumers’ benefits, share of health care costs or their coverage entirely.
Why Don’t We Have Mental Health Parity?
The law says insurance companies must pay for mental health benefits the same as they do everything else. Addiction as much as diabetes. Depression as much as cancer. But around the country, consumers are taking their insurers to court saying the companies are refusing to pay up. The insurance providers say mental health is complicated, […]
Poll: Americans Favor Government Action On Drug Prices
A majority of Americans would allow Medicare to negotiate prices with drug companies and consumers to buy drugs from Canada.
The Battle Over Planned Parenthood
Kaiser Health News correspondent Julie Rovner discusses the efforts to defund Planned Parenthood on NPR’s On Point with Tom Ashbrook.
Implementation Of Obamacare Remains A Work In Progress
With the Supreme Court decision, it appears the Affordable Care Act will stand, but that doesn’t mean the law’s troubles are over. NPR’s Renee Montagne talks to KHN’s Julie Rovner.
