Weekly Edition: January 17, 2020

Warren and Klobuchar Say They Can Lower Drug Prices Without Congress’ Help
By Emmarie Huetteman Democratic presidential candidates also returned to now-familiar themes in debating the differences between "Medicare for All" and more incremental reforms.

Sanders Targets Health Industry Profits. Are His Figures Right?
By Shefali Luthra Calculations are complicated, but correct.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Trump Takes Credit Where It Isn’t Due
President Donald Trump says he “saved” popular protections for preexisting conditions, even though his administration is in court asking them to be struck down. Meanwhile, Democrats who want to run against Trump in the fall continue to argue among themselves over health issues. And Kansas may become the next state to expand Medicaid. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Shefali Luthra of Kaiser Health News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more.

Trump’s Claim He ‘Saved’ Preexisting Conditions ‘Part Fantasy, Part Delusion’
By Shefali Luthra The claim, which builds on previous statements and campaign messaging, drew strong reactions.

Team Trump Says Administration’s Action On Health Care ‘Is Working.’ Is It?
By Shefali Luthra The impact of the Trump administration’s health policies is not as clear-cut as the president’s reelection campaign suggests.

Employers’ Dream Of Controlling Health Costs Turns To Workers’ Sleep
By Phil Galewitz Sleep is the latest in an ever-growing list of wellness issues — such as weight loss, exercise and nutrition — that firms are targeting to improve workers’ health and lower medical costs.

Loopholes Limit New California Law To Guard Against Lofty Air Ambulance Bills
By Michelle Andrews A new state law limits what consumers owe if they’re transported by an air ambulance that’s not part of their insurance network to the amount that they’d be charged if they used an in-network provider. But the law won’t protect millions of consumers whose health plans aren’t regulated by the state.

No Shield From X-Rays: How Science Is Rethinking Lead Aprons
By Mary Chris Jaklevic A number of radiology organizations are trying to end the decades-old practice of shielding patients from radiation with lead aprons. They say it provides no benefit and might even inadvertently expose people to higher radiation levels. But the policy about-face is moving slowly.

With Fate Of Roe V. Wade Unsure, Abortion Fight Shifts To New Territory
By Julie Rovner The Supreme Court in March will hear a Louisiana case that tests whether the new five-member conservative majority is willing to overturn the 1973 decision that made abortion legal nationwide. Even if the court does not go that far, it could hasten the procedure’s demise by saying abortion providers cannot sue on behalf of their patients.

What The 2020s Have In Store For Aging Boomers
By Judith Graham On the bright side, advances in medical science and a push for healthier lifestyles might extend the quality of life for aging boomers. Among clouds on the horizon: ageism, strained long-term care services and the need to work well past retirement age.

Homeless Californians Adapt To Camp Sweeps And ‘The Caltrans Shuffle’
By Anna Maria Barry-Jester Communities across California, frustrated with the growing number of homeless people living on public property, have tasked police and sanitation workers with dismantling encampments they say pose a risk to health and safety. The routine cleanups have spawned another public health concern: the loss of the displaced people’s personal possessions, including medicines.

Medi-Cal’s Very Big Decade
By Harriet Blair Rowan California’s health insurance program for low-income people grew 78% between 2010 and 2019 to 12.8 million enrollees. The federal Affordable Care Act spurred the increase, aided by state policies broadening eligibility.

Smokers Need Not Apply: Fairness Of No-Nicotine Hiring Policies Questioned
By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio U-Haul will not hire nicotine users in 21 states where it is legal to do so. Ethicists say such policies disproportionately affect the poor and are a sign of employers becoming overly involved in workers' lifestyle choices.

Listen: How High-Deductible Plans Hurt Rural America
KHN senior correspondent Markian Hawryluk joined Colorado Public Radio’s Avery Lill on “Colorado Matters” to discuss his recent story on how high-deductible health plans are especially hurting the financial health of patients and hospitals in rural America.