Watch: One Father’s Fight Against ‘Predatory’ Drug Price
"CBS This Morning" looks at the latest "Bill of the Month" installment. A drug implant for children has a price tag of $37,300, while one used in adults with the same active ingredient goes for $4,400.
It’s Not Just Hospitals That Sue Patients Who Can’t Pay
Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio
Until very recently, the separate company that runs the emergency department at Nashville General Hospital in Tennessee was continuing to haul patients who couldn't pay medical bills into court.
Hormone Blocker Shocker: Drug Costs 8 Times More When Used For Kids
Sydney Lupkin, NPR News
Two drug implants are nearly identical. The one for children has a list price of $37,300. For adults, the list price is $4,400. One dad fought for his daughter to be able to use the cheaper drug.
Sanders Embraces New Study That Lowers ‘Medicare For All’s’ Cost, But Skepticism Abounds
Shefali Luthra
The research exaggerates potential savings, cherry-picks evidence and downplays some of the potential trade-offs.
Your School Assignment For The Day: Spelling And Specs
Heidi de Marco
In California’s rural Central Valley, low-income children have limited access to vision care. School districts are teaming up with nonprofits to fill the gaps.
Readers And Tweeters Dive Into Debate Over ‘Medicare For All’
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Colorado Forges Ahead On A New Model For Health Care While Nation Waits
Markian Hawryluk
Since gaining control of the House, Senate and governor’s office, Colorado Democrats are pushing an aggressive health care agenda. With measures to create a public insurance option, welcome drug importation, lower drug prices, curtail surprise billing and cap insulin copays, the state is becoming a likely model for health policies at the federal level.
Pence Leaves Out Key Details About Health Coverage Of Coronavirus Testing
Julie Appleby
The vice president's remarks are more proof that health care is complicated.
Dental Shock: Six Pulled Teeth And One Unexpected Bill
Victoria Knight
One woman's experience with the high cost of dental care and confusing Medicare coverage offers a teachable moment for other consumers. Her small church took up a collection, but the surprise bill — four times what she expected to pay — was sent to collections.
VCU Health Halts 30-Year Campaign That Seized Patients’ Wages, Put Liens On Homes
Jay Hancock and Elizabeth Lucas
The bold move by the giant hospital system will help thousands of patients in the wake of a Kaiser Health News investigation last year.
Crushed By A Hospital Bill? Stand Up For Yourself
Bernard J. Wolfson
Most hospitals must offer free or reduced-cost care to certain patients, based on income, even if they have insurance. But some hospitals erect barriers to charity care, so it’s up to patients to advocate for themselves.
Tampons, Pads And Politics Mesh In New Push For Access To Menstrual Supplies
Kate Ruder
As a national movement for better access to menstrual products gains steam, “period equity” activists in Colorado are finding the path to change isn’t straight. Although Denver last summer repealed sales taxes on menstrual products and the state now requires supplies to be provided in prisons, an effort to repeal the statewide sales tax on the products failed. So, activists assemble supply kits to donate to those who need them.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Coronavirus Goes Viral
The rapidly spreading coronavirus has led to the cancellation of sporting events, conferences and travel, with Congress and President Donald Trump scrambling to catch up to the spiraling public health crisis. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has issued long-awaited rules aimed at making it easier for patients to carry copies of their medical records. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Trump Wrongly Said Health Insurers Will Pay For All Coronavirus Treatment
Shefali Luthra and Amy Sherman, PolitiFact
There are important distinctions between how insurance companies will cover the test and the treatment. This makes the president’s statement an exaggeration, at best.
And Then There Were Two: Biden, Sanders Debate With Coronavirus On Everyone’s Mind
Emmarie Huetteman
The candidates talked about their views on how this public health crisis should be managed. Though they disagreed on many points, they shared disapproval of the Trump administration’s response.