KHN Weekly Edition: Jan. 6, 2023
During In-Flight Emergencies, Sometimes Airlines’ Medical Kits Fall Short
By Vignesh Ramachandran
U.S. airlines have response plans for passengers who run into health issues in flight, but planes carry limited and sometimes incomplete medical supplies that can put travelers at risk.
More Orthopedic Physicians Sell Out to Private Equity Firms, Raising Alarms About Costs and Quality
By Harris Meyer
While some doctors seem eager for a huge payoff, others are warily watching what happens when private equity firms take charge of orthopedic practices.
Lost Sleep and Jangled Nerves: The Rising Onslaught of Noise Harms Mind and Body
By Rachel Bluth
Noise pollution is a growing problem that isn’t confined to the ears: It can cause harm throughout the body. California is taking baby steps to address the increasing din from traffic and illegally modified cars, but public health experts urge lawmakers to act more boldly.
In North Carolina, More People Are Training to Support Patients Through an Abortion
By Claire Donnelly, WFAE
In the months since Roe v. Wade was overturned, training groups in North Carolina have seen an uptick in interest from people wanting to become abortion doulas.
NY Docs Are Now Required to Prescribe Naloxone to Some Patients on Opioid Painkillers
By Michelle Andrews
This strategy — now in place in at least 10 states — is part of an effort to curb accidental opioid overdose deaths by patients who take these powerful medications.
Public Health Agencies Try to Restore Trust as They Fight Misinformation
By Lauren Sausser
As public health departments work on improving their message, the skepticism and mistrust often reserved for covid-19 vaccines now threaten other public health priorities, including flu shots and childhood vaccines.
Watch: Patient Sent to Collections for Surgery She Never Had
KHN Editor-in-Chief Elisabeth Rosenthal joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss how difficult a clerical error can be to fix and how patients can respond if it happens to them.
Many Families With Unaffordable Employer Coverage Now Eligible for Covered California Subsidies
By Bernard J. Wolfson
If family coverage on an employer-sponsored plan is too expensive, a worker’s spouse and dependents may be eligible for Affordable Care Act subsidies under a new federal rule.
Want a Clue on Health Care Costs in Advance? New Tools Take a Crack at It
By Julie Appleby
Another effort to make upfront cost comparisons possible in an industry known for its opaqueness: an online tool for consumers to get some idea of what they may pay for medical care.
Telehealth Brings Expert Sexual Assault Exams to Rural Patients
By Arielle Zionts
Some rural residents must travel hours for a sexual assault exam. Specialized telehealth services are expanding so they can obtain care closer to home.
Weighing Risks of a Major Surgery: 7 Questions Older Americans Should Ask Their Surgeon
By Judith Graham
How do older adults know when the potential benefits from surgery are worth the risks? And what questions should they ask as they try to figure this out? Our columnist asks experts for guidance.
‘An Arm and a Leg’: The Year in Review, From Prenatal Testing to Insulin Pricing
By Dan Weissmann
The editorial team of “An Arm and a Leg” looks back on the reporting that hit close to home over the past year, including insulin pricing and prenatal testing.