Latest KFF Health News Stories
Patients Eligible For Charity Care Instead Get Big Bills
Nonprofit hospitals admit they sent $2.7 billion in bills over the course of a year to patients who probably qualified for free or discounted care.
‘Locally Grown’ Insurance Companies Help Fortify Washington State Market
The individual insurance market in Washington is dominated by companies that do business only in the Pacific Northwest, and the state’s insurance commissioner credits them with helping keep premium rates lower than in other states.
Payroll Tax Is One State’s Bold Solution To Help Seniors Age At Home
Under a program enacted in Washington state this spring, workers can get up to $36,500 to help pay for long-term health care and services such as installing grab bars in the shower or respite care for family caregivers.
Mired In Medical Debt? Federal Plan Would Update Overdue-Bill Collection Methods
More than half of Americans contacted about an overdue bill said it related to medical debt. A federal agency has proposed new guidance for what debt collectors are allowed to do when pursuing many types of overdue consumer bills, including medical debt. But some consumer advocates have panned the effort.
‘Sham’ Sharing Ministries Test Faith Of Patients And Insurance Regulators
Officials in Washington and other states are cracking down on companies that avoid health insurance regulations by masquerading as faith-based care.
State Laws Ban Surprise Medical Bills. She Got One for $227K And Fought Back.
No one told a Washington state woman she was racking up massive out-of-pocket charges during a month-long emergency stay in an Oregon hospital. For six months, she and her husband were haunted by looming debt — and bill collectors.
Measles Outbreak Sends Vaccine Demand Soaring, Even Among The Hesitant
The number of health clinic orders and shots administered rose sharply in January compared with last year, Washington county officials say.
¿Pueden los estados reparar el desastre que es el sistema de salud?
La legalización del matrimonio gay comenzó en algunos estados y se convirtió en una ley nacional. La marihuana parece seguir la misma ruta. ¿Podría ser el caso de la reforma sanitaria?
Analysis: Can States Fix The Disaster Of American Health Care?
The governor of California has proposed some big ideas. Who knows whether he can pull them off, but there’s reason for hope.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ New Year, New Health Proposals
Democratic governors and mayors are unveiling new ideas to control costs and expand coverage. The federal government shutdown has spared most health agencies, but not all. And learn the latest on that lawsuit out of Texas, which is threatening the Affordable Care Act once again. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and, for “extra credit,” provide their favorite health policy stories of the week. Rovner also interviews KHN’s Jordan Rau about the latest “Bill of the Month.”
Soda Industry Steals Page From Tobacco To Combat Taxes On Sugary Drinks
Voters in Oregon and Washington will decide whether to strip cities of the ability to tax sugary drinks.
“Nunca se está listo para morir”: cómo eligen su último día los pacientes de muerte digna
Para Aaron McQ no fue fácil elegir su último día. Abatido por la leucemia y por una enfermedad degenerativa, el ciclista y navegante contó su viaje de la vida a la muerte por decisión propia.
‘No One Is Ever Really Ready’: Aid-In-Dying Patient Chooses His Last Day
With its expansion to Hawaii this year, medical aid-in-dying is now approved in eight U.S. jurisdictions. Even when legal, the controversial practice of choosing to die after a terminal diagnosis is difficult, said one Seattle man who shared his final deliberations.
Por plan de Trump, inmigrantes podrían tener miedo de recibir beneficios de salud
Bajo la norma propuesta, el que un immigrante haya usado beneficios públicos como Medicaid o SNAP, puede poner en peligro el proceso para obtener la residencia permanente.
Under Trump Proposal, Lawful Immigrants Might Be Inclined To Shun Health Benefits
A proposed change in immigration policy from the Trump administration could make it more difficult for immigrants to obtain a green card if family members use Medicaid or other government benefits for medical care.
At Some Veterans Homes, Aid-In-Dying Is Not An Option
Citing fears of losing federal funds, California is the latest state to require discharge of terminally ill residents from state veterans homes if they plan to end their lives with lethal drugs.
New ‘Instructions’ Could Let Dementia Patients Refuse Spoon-Feeding
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can say in advance if and when they want caregivers to stop offering food and fluids by hand.
Amid For-Profit Surge, Rural Hospice Has Offered Free Care for 40 Years
Tiny Washington state hospice accepts no federal funds, relies on community volunteers and donations to serve the dying.
Cuando la demencia acecha a toda la familia
El seguimiento médico de miembros de una familia que portan una mutación genética ha ayudado a entender un poco más sobre una devastadora forma de demencia.
A Rare Dementia Gene Runs In The Family, But He’s Fine — So Far
A Washington state man inherited the mutated gene that stole his mother’s mind. He doesn’t have the disease, and doctors don’t know why.
