Latest News On Disparities

Latest KFF Health News Stories

New Budget Boosts Health Coverage For Low-Income Californians

KFF Health News Original

California lawmakers spent big on Medi-Cal in the 2019-20 state budget, voting to cover more older residents and people with disabilities, restore benefits cut during the recession and open the program to eligible young adults who are in the country illegally. 

Non-English Speakers Face Health Setback If Trump Loosens Language Rules

KFF Health News Original

A rule proposed by the Trump administration would leave patients with limited English proficiency with fewer guarantees of a written notice that free translation services are available. It also would no longer require directions on how patients can report discrimination they experience in a medical setting.

Good Health Goes Beyond Having A Doctor And Insurance, Says AMA’s Equity Chief

KFF Health News Original

Dr. Aletha Maybank was recently named the first chief health equity officer for the American Medical Association. In an interview, the pediatrician spoke about how racism’s impact on health affects everyone and what practices could help doctors end disparities.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ ‘Conscience’ Rules, Rx Prices and Still More Medicare

KFF Health News Original

Joanne Kenen of Politico, Jen Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the latest news about the Trump administration’s effort to allow health care practitioners and organizations to refuse to provide care or refer patients for services that violate their conscience or religion. Also this week, the administration orders TV ads for prescription drugs to include list prices. And Tennessee wants free rein from the federal government to run its Medicaid program. Plus, Rovner interviews Joan Biskupic, author of a new book on Chief Justice John Roberts, about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the 2012 ruling upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

Diabetic Amputations A ‘Shameful Metric’ Of Inadequate Care

KFF Health News Original

In California, people who are black or Latino are more than twice as likely as whites to undergo amputations related to diabetes, a Kaiser Health News analysis found. The pattern is not unique to California.

On The Border, Volunteer Doctors Struggle To Provide Stopgap Care To Immigrants

KFF Health News Original

As recent arrivals are released from detention with severe medical problems ranging from diarrhea to gaping wounds, a makeshift health system of volunteers is overwhelmed. The work is taking a financial and emotional toll.

Task Force Outlines Strategy To Address California’s Shortfall Of Health Workers

KFF Health News Original

A new report by a coalition of health, education and labor leaders concludes that the state must build a larger and more culturally diverse pool of medical, mental health and home care professionals to meet the needs of a growing population. The findings point to a big challenge for Gov. Gavin Newsom as he seeks to extend health insurance to many of California’s nearly 3 million uninsured residents.