Lauren Weber

Lauren Weber was a Midwest correspondent for KFF Health News until December 2022.

@LaurenWeberHP

Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes Fly Free as Health Departments Focus on Coronavirus

KFF Health News Original

Health departments and other public agencies tasked with protecting the nation from disease-carrying mosquitoes are overstretched amid the coronavirus pandemic — even as the nation is told it’s safest to be outside.

Hollowed-Out Public Health System Faces More Cuts Amid Virus

KFF Health News Original

The U.S. public health system has been starved for decades and lacks the resources necessary to confront the worst health crisis in a century. An investigation by The Associated Press and KHN has found that since 2010, spending for state public health departments has dropped by 16% per capita and for local health departments by 18%. At least 38,000 public health jobs have disappeared, leaving a skeletal workforce for what was once viewed as one of the world’s top public health systems. That has left the nation unprepared to deal with a virus that has sickened at least 2.6 million people and killed more than 126,000.

Hospital Executive Charged In $1.4B Rural Hospital Billing Scheme

KFF Health News Original

In an investigation last year, KHN detailed the rise and fall of Miami businessman Jorge A. Perez’s rural hospital empire, which spanned eight states and encompassed half of the rural hospital bankruptcies in 2019.

Public Health Officials Face Wave Of Threats, Pressure Amid Coronavirus Response

KFF Health News Original

Public health officials are confronting growing pressure — and threats — across the country as the backlash to the coronavirus response continues. At least 27 state and local health leaders have resigned, retired or been fired since April across 13 states.

‘When It Starts Getting Into Your Local Hospital, It Becomes Real’

KFF Health News Original

Located about 45 minutes from New Orleans in one of the hardest-hit counties nationally, the 25-bed rural St. James Parish Hospital has hunkered down as staffers became infected, patient intake numbers have doubled, and intubations have skyrocketed. This is what it looks like inside a rural hospital when COVID-19 hits.

Trump Administration Uses Wartime Powers To Be First In Line On Medical Supplies

KFF Health News Original

As states scour the world for masks and other protective medical equipment, the federal government has repeatedly invoked a little-known clause in the Defense Production Act to step to the front of the line for sought-after health supplies.

As The Country Disinfects, Diabetes Patients Can’t Find Rubbing Alcohol

KFF Health News Original

Demand has exploded for rubbing alcohol and alcohol swabs, which are being deployed in the disinfection fight against the coronavirus. Now, people with diabetes who rely on the products for infection control are left scrambling.

Hospital Suppliers Take To The Skies To Combat Dire Shortages Of COVID-19 Gear

KFF Health News Original

As the coronavirus sweeps the nation, a new survey reveals widespread medical gear shortages while hospitals give up on a fractured supply chain and take matters into their own hands with planes sprinting past cargo ships.

Coronavirus Threatens The Lives Of Rural Hospitals Already Stretched To Breaking Point

KFF Health News Original

Almost half of the nation’s rural hospitals operate in the red on a good day. But amid the coronavirus pandemic, rural hospital CEOs warn that soon some may be unable to pay their workers. And their doors may close when the community most needs them.

As Coronavirus Testing Gears Up, Specialized Swabs Running Out

KFF Health News Original

Nationwide, testing for coronavirus is ramping up. But the supply of specialty swabs needed to collect potential coronavirus specimens can’t keep up with demand, creating a bottleneck in testing capabilities. So two top manufacturers are working with U.S. and Italian governments to increase production.

No Quick Fix: Missouri Finds Managing Pain Without Opioids Isn’t Fast Or Easy

KFF Health News Original

In the first nine months of an alternative pain management program in Missouri, only a small fraction of the state’s Medicaid recipients have accessed the chiropractic care, acupuncture, physical therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy meant to combat the overprescription of opioids.

Patients Stuck With Bills After Insurers Don’t Pay As Promised

KFF Health News Original

Insurance companies often require patients to have medical procedures, devices, tests and even some medicines preapproved to ensure the insurers are willing to cover the costs. But that doesn’t guarantee they’ll end up paying. Some patients are getting stuck with unexpected bills after the medical service has been provided.