Phil Galewitz

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pgalewitz@kff.org
@philgalewitz

Union With Labor Dispute of Its Own Threatened To Cut Off Workers’ Health Benefits

KFF Health News Original

The National Education Association, the nation’s largest union, told striking workers that their health coverage would be cut off Aug. 1 absent a deal on a new contract. Tensions have mounted after staff disrupted the union’s convention, at which President Joe Biden had been scheduled to speak.

Florida Allows Doctors To Perform C-Sections Outside of Hospitals

KFF Health News Original

A Florida law was enacted this spring making the Sunshine State the first in the nation to let cesarean sections be performed in settings other than hospitals — leading to warnings about increased risks for pregnant women and their babies.

Florida es el primer estado en permitir que se realicen cesáreas fuera de hospitales

KFF Health News Original

Esta primavera, se promulgó una ley que permite los “centros de parto avanzados”, donde los médicos pueden asistir partos vaginales o por cesárea en mujeres consideradas de bajo riesgo de sufrir complicaciones. Muchos se oponen.

Why Medicaid’s ‘Undercount’ Problem Counts

KFF Health News Original

Millions of people were surprised to find themselves booted from Medicaid over the past year after pandemic-era protections expired that had prevented states from terminating their coverage. Turns out, millions of them were also unaware they had been covered by the government program. Nearly 1 in 3 people enrolled in Medicaid in 2022 — or […]

Forget Ringing the Button for the Nurse. Patients Now Stay Connected by Wearing One.

KFF Health News Original

Dozens of hospitals have deployed a device that uses artificial intelligence to monitor patients remotely. One hospital says it reduces nurses’ workloads — but some nurses fear the technology could replace them.

Medicare Stumbles Managing a Costly Problem — Chronic Illness

KFF Health News Original

Nearly a decade ago, Medicare launched a program to help the two-thirds of beneficiaries with chronic conditions by paying their doctors an additional monthly fee to coordinate their care. The strategy has largely failed to live up to its potential; only about 4 percent of potentially eligible beneficiaries in the traditional Medicare program are enrolled, […]

Medicare’s Push To Improve Chronic Care Attracts Businesses, but Not Many Doctors

KFF Health News Original

Most Medicare enrollees have two or more chronic health conditions, making them eligible for a federal program that rewards physicians for doing more to manage their care. It shows promise in reducing costs. But not many doctors have joined.

Covid and Medicare Payments Spark Remote Patient Monitoring Boom

KFF Health News Original

Demand for help monitoring patients’ vital signs remotely has taken off since a Medicare change in 2019. Dozens of companies now push the service to help overburdened primary care doctors — and as a revenue stream. But some policy experts say its growth has outpaced oversight and evidence of effectiveness.

Colorado Isn’t Giving up on Its Drug Importation Dream

KFF Health News Original

Colorado hopes to join Florida to become only the second state authorized to import prescription drugs from Canada. But they’re hitting the same hurdles: drugmakers — and the FDA. Colorado officials recently amended their 2022 importation application with the Food and Drug Administration, in the process revealing new correspondence that shows the state’s so-far fruitless […]

America Worries About Health Costs — And Voters Want to Hear From Biden and Republicans

KFF Health News Original

The presidential election is likely to turn on the simple question of whether Americans want Donald Trump back in the White House. But health care tops the list of household financial worries for adults from both parties.

In Fight Over Medicare Payments, the Hospital Lobby Shows Its Strength

KFF Health News Original

Medicare pays hospitals about double what it pays other providers for the same services. The hospital lobby is fighting hard to make sure a switch to “site-neutral payments” doesn’t become law.