Latest KFF Health News Stories
Expectant Moms: You Have Nine Months For Delivery Decisions, You Better Shop Around
A nonprofit patient safety group devised nationally standardized measures to help pregnant women gauge hospitals on quality of maternity care.
Pregnant Women Dumped By Covered California Into Medi-Cal, Without Notice Or Consent
The problem won’t be fixed until September, though the state’s congressional delegation calls for quick action.
Pregnant Women In Houston And Their Doctors Weigh Risks Of Zika
The U.S. Gulf Coast has the right weather conditions and mosquitoes for the Zika virus, which has been linked to birth defects. But the level of risk is unknown in this country so doctors are advising caution to their patients who are pregnant or trying to have a baby.
Even Under Parity Rules, Plans May Charge Higher Specialty Copays For Counseling
A reader asks if it’s fair for his health plan to classify his son’s treatment by a psychologist as specialty care that requires a higher copayment.
Supreme Court Asks For More Information In Birth Control Case
The request also hints at a potential compromise from the justices.
Supreme Court Takes Up Birth Control Access — Again
Justices consider a key aspect of the Affordable Care Act for the fourth time in five years.
Combatants In Texas Abortion Case Using New Playbooks
National foes facilitate new state laws, while rights advocates measure their impact in real time.
Majority Of Young Men Don’t Know About Emergency Contraception, Study Finds
The survey of 93 men, most of whom were sexually active, finds that 42 percent had heard of emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill.
As Rural Hospitals Struggle, Some Opt To Close Labor And Delivery Units
Facilities for delivering babies are costly to run and hard to staff, so some small, rural hospitals are closing them, forcing pregnant women to travel for care.
Women Increasingly Having Outpatient Mastectomies, New Federal Data Show
Agency For Healthcare Research and Quality data show that more women with breast cancer are opting for mastectomies over less-invasive options, and more are having the procedure in outpatient facilities where they don’t spend even one night in the hospital.
Supreme Court Vacancy Creates Muddle For Future Of Reproductive Rights
Scalia’s death throws cases on abortion, contraception coverage into doubt.
Combined Effects Of Maternal Obesity, Diabetes ‘Substantially’ Raise Autism Risks
A study published in the February issue of Pediatrics examines both the independent and combined effects of these two maternal health factors on children’s likelihood of developing autism spectrum disorder.
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.
Determining Whether A Marketplace Plan Covers Abortion Is Still Difficult
Many insurers leave out information about abortion coverage on the summary of benefits and coverage.
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.
NIH Isn’t Ensuring That Clinical Trials Account For Different Outcomes By Sex
Clinical trials should look at whether men and women are affected differently, but the NIH isn’t holding researchers accountable, a new report says.
More Women Getting Breast Screenings Under Medicaid Expansion
A study shows that women were 25 percent more likely to be screened in states that expanded Medicaid early.
A Sick Newborn, A Loving Family And A Litany Of Wrenching Choices
In deciding how far to go in treating their very sick and premature baby, one San Francisco couple acted out of hope, not always in sync with doctors and nurses.
Health Law Increases Coverage Rates For Women Not Yet Pregnant
The Urban Institute and March of Dimes estimate 5.5 million women of childbearing age gained health insurance under the federal health law since 2013, but many still have unmet needs.
Updated Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Unlikely To Affect Insurance Coverage
The American Cancer Society now recommends that women begin annual mammogram screenings at age 45 instead of age 40, and that providers reduce the frequency of screening to every two years after age 54.
