Medicaid & the Uninsured 100721

Student Nurses Who Refuse Vaccination Struggle to Complete Degrees
By Michelle Andrews The Biden administration is requiring workers at health care facilities that accept Medicare and Medicaid payments to be vaccinated. For the minority of nursing students who have refused a shot, the new policy could mean they can’t get the training they need in a hospital or other health care venue.

Death in Dallas: One Family’s Experience in the Medicaid Gap
By Ashley Lopez, KUT Efforts to give 2.2 million Americans health insurance hang in the balance as Congress debates a massive spending bill. The so-called Medicaid gap is felt most acutely in Texas, where about half of those who stand to gain coverage live.

As Democrats Bicker Over Massive Spending Plan, Here’s What’s at Stake for Medicaid
By Phil Galewitz More than 2 million low-income adults are uninsured because their states have not accepted Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Congressional Democrats want to offer them coverage in the massive spending bill being debated, but competition to get into that package is fierce.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: The Autumn of Democrats’ Discontent
Congress is back in session with a short time to finish a long to-do list, including keeping the government operating and paying its bills. Hanging in the balance is President Joe Biden’s entire domestic agenda, including major changes proposed for Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the new Texas abortion law that bans the procedure early in pregnancy is prompting action in Washington. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also, Rovner interviews former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb about his new book on the covid-19 pandemic.

California’s Reboot of Troubled Medi-Cal Puts Pressure on Health Plans
By Bernard J. Wolfson Photos by Heidi de Marco The nine commercial insurers in Medi-Cal must reapply by submitting bids for new contracts. The state hopes the process will improve care for low-income residents and tighten accountability, something critics say has been missing.

Dentists Chip Away at Uninsured Problem by Offering Patients Membership Plans
By Phil Galewitz The plans are designed for people who don’t get dental coverage through their jobs and can’t afford an individual plan. For about $300 to $400 a year, patients receive certain preventive services at no charge and other procedures at a discount.

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Much Ado About Drug Prices
Democrats have hit a snag in their effort to compile a $3.5 trillion social-spending bill this fall — moderates are resisting support for Medicare drug price negotiation provisions that would pay for many of the measure’s health benefit improvements. Meanwhile, the new abortion restrictions in Texas have moved the divisive issue back to the political front burner. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Rachel Cohrs of Stat and Shefali Luthra of The 19th join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interview’s KHN’s Phil Galewitz about the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” installment, about two similar jaw surgeries with very different price tags.

No Papers, No Care: Disabled Migrants Seek Help Through Lawsuit, Activism
By Heidi de Marco A class action lawsuit seeks better care for immigrants with physical disabilities or mental illness who were detained after trying to enter the country. Other disabled immigrants without legal status are also finding it difficult to get care.

Census: Insured Population Holds Steady, With a Slight Shift From Private to Public Coverage
By Victoria Knight and Julie Appleby The Census Bureau on Tuesday released its 2020 findings regarding Americans’ income, poverty and health insurance coverage.

Health Care Unions Defending Newsom From Recall Will Want Single-Payer Payback
By Angela Hart If Gov. Gavin Newsom survives Tuesday’s recall election, the health care unions that have campaigned on his behalf intend to pressure him to follow through on his promise to establish a government-run health system in California.

Georgia Eyes New Medicaid Contract. But How Is the State Managing Managed Care?
By Rebecca Grapevine and Andy Miller More than 40 states have turned to managed-care companies to control costs in their Medicaid programs, which cover low-income residents and people with disabilities. As Georgia prepares to open bidding on a new contract, the question looms: Has this model paid off?

Dentistas eliminan los problemas de las personas sin seguro ofreciéndoles ellos mismos planes
By Phil Galewitz Estos planes limitados a una práctica están dirigidos principalmente a los 65 millones de estadounidenses que no tienen cobertura dental, y tienen que pagar de su bolsillo toda su atención.

Sin papeles, sin atención: migrantes con discapacidades buscan ayuda a través de demandas y activismo
By Heidi de Marco No hay estadísticas disponibles sobre el número de inmigrantes indocumentados con dispacadidades en los Estados Unidos. Pero ya sea que estén detenidos, trabajando sin papeles o esperando audiencias de asilo en el lado mexicano de la frontera, no tienen acceso a atención médica.