Weekly Edition: January 25, 2019
Drug-Pricing Policies Find New Momentum As ‘A 2020 Thing’
By Shefali Luthra
Emboldened by midterm election results and interest in possible presidential runs, Democrats are advancing a slew of new and old legislative proposals. It’s not yet clear, though, which if any could go the distance.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ ‘Medicare-For-All’? More? Some?
“Medicare-for-all” has become the rallying cry for Democrats in the new Congress. But there is a long list of other ways to increase insurance coverage. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to chip away at the Medicaid program for the poor, and new rules could mean higher costs for individual health insurance in 2020. Alice Ollstein of Politico, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and, for “extra credit,” provide their favorite health policy stories of the week.
Trump Zeroes In On Surprise Medical Bills In White House Chat With Patients, Experts
By Emmarie Huetteman
Patients and doctors got a chance to share their nightmarish experiences with medical bills with President Donald Trump and other top White House officials.
Students With Addictions Immersed In The Sober Life At ‘Recovery’ High Schools
By Anna Gorman and Heidi de Marco
At one Seattle public school, students earn their diplomas while attending daily support groups and meeting with counselors to help them stay off drugs and alcohol. There are about 40 similar schools around the country, both public and private, and more are on the drawing board.
Doctors Call California’s Probe Of Opioid Deaths A ‘Witch Hunt’
By Cheryl Clark
In a unique crackdown on what it sees as “excessive prescribing,” the state medical board is investigating hundreds of doctors whose patients ultimately died of opioid overdoses — whether or not the doctors prescribed the fatal medications.
Listen: ‘Death Certificate Project’ Aims At Opioid Crisis, But Doctors Cry Foul
By April Dembosky, KQED
A radio report on an effort in California to hold doctors responsible when a patient overdoses on opioids. Doctors say it is unfair, but the state medical board defends the new project.
Postpartum Psychosis Is Real, Rare And Dangerous
By April Dembosky, KQED
Postpartum psychosis is rare but very real, doctors say. And, unlike in some countries, U.S. moms who need inpatient psychiatric care can't bring along their babies, adding to the trauma.
Alcohol-Linked Disease Overtakes Hep C As Top Reason For Liver Transplant
By Rachel Bluth
New research suggests that attitudes toward liver transplant candidates who have a history of alcohol abuse are softening.
New House Democrats’ Focus On Abortion Rights Could Stymie Work With Senate
By Julie Rovner
Members of the new Democratic majority in the House are vowing to reverse restrictions that Republicans have imposed on abortions. But the efforts could lead to titanic fights that imperil other legislation.
Analysis: Can States Fix The Disaster Of American Health Care?
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
The governor of California has proposed some big ideas. Who knows whether he can pull them off, but there’s reason for hope.