Weekly Edition February 1, 2019
Ads For Short-Term Plans Lacking ACA Protections Swamped Consumers’ Online Searches
Steven Findlay
People looking for insurance during the recent open enrollment period were frequently directed to websites promoting plans that are not required to offer the federal health law’s consumer guarantees.
New Covered California Sign-Ups Plummet
Ana B. Ibarra
Even though the number of people renewing their Covered California health plans increased this year, new enrollment plunged by nearly a quarter compared with last year, posting a bigger drop than the federal health insurance exchange, healthcare.gov, which saw a 16 percent decrease. Officials largely blame the elimination of the federal tax penalty for people without insurance.
Frail Seniors Find Ways To Live Independently
Judith Graham
A pilot program for frail low-income seniors provides much-needed help in dealing with “daily activities” and offers practical solutions.
Boot Camp After 60: 10 Steps To Turn Around Unhealthy Habits
Bruce Horovitz
Older men and women often struggle to find the motivation to embrace a healthy lifestyle. We talk to experts about how to make the changes and how to keep them.
Hope You’re Sitting Down: Hospital Charges $4,700 For A Fainting Spell
Phil Galewitz
A 39-year-old man fainted after getting a flu shot at work, and a colleague called 911. He turned out to be fine, but the trip to the ER cost him his whole deductible.
Analysis: Pulling Back Curtain On Hospital Prices Adds New Wrinkle In Cost Control
Elisabeth Rosenthal
The Trump administration has ordered hospitals to reveal their prices. If patients and politicians pay attention, this could be a game changer for health care.
Hospitals Check To See If Patients Are Donor-Worthy — Not Their Organs, But Pockets
Phil Galewitz
Hospitals often contract with market data firms to screen patients’ wealth. That software allows the hospitals to gauge patients’ propensity to donate based on public records, including property and stock ownership and campaign donations.
Community Hospitals Link Arms With Prestigious Facilities To Raise Their Profiles
Sandra G. Boodman
A growing number of community hospitals are forming alliances with some of the nation's biggest and most prestigious institutions. But for prospective patients, it can be hard to assess what these relationships actually mean.
With Mom’s Green Card On The Line, Family Forgoes Autism Services For Citizen Child
Ashley Lopez, KUT
A Texas girl needs autism treatment, but her immigrant mother is afraid of turning to Medicaid. As more U.S. children go without health coverage, advocates blame politics of intimidation.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Live From D.C.: A Look Ahead At Health Policy In 2019
Congress and President Donald Trump are starting to wrestle with health policy issues, and health is already a key debate point in the early run-up to the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. Might any major health policy legislation be passed and signed this year? Joanne Kenen of Politico, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Kimberly Leonard of The Washington Examiner, along with special guest Tom Miller of the American Enterprise Institute, join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and take questions from a live studio audience.
Congress Wades Into Emotional Debate Over High-Cost Prescription Drugs
Emmarie Huetteman and Rachel Bluth
Key House and Senate committees kick off hearings on drug prices, and patients’ families weigh in with tragic stories.
Nonprofit Dental Insurer Under Scrutiny For ‘Flagrant’ Spending
Anna Maria Barry-Jester
Delta Dental of California, with more than 36 million enrollees across the country, is looking to buy a stake in a for-profit insurance company based in Oregon. Consumer advocates are calling on regulators to scrutinize the transaction, arguing that it is just the latest questionable move by the nonprofit dental insurer whose corporate practices may be out of step with its tax-exempt status.
California Attorney General And Santa Clara County Face Off Over Sale Of Two Hospitals
Samantha Young and Barbara Feder Ostrov
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is trying to prevent Santa Clara County from buying two local nonprofit hospitals unless it pledges to maintain certain critical health care services. County officials warn the hospitals will close if the attorney general succeeds, leaving area residents with fewer health care choices.