Weekly Edition: July 6, 2018
A Baby Was Treated With A Nap And A Bottle Of Formula. The Bill Was $18,000.
By Jenny Gold and Sarah Kliff, Vox
An ER patient can be charged thousands of dollars in “trauma fees” — even if they weren’t treated for trauma.
Despite U.S. Court’s Ruling, Medicaid Work Requirements Advance In Other States
By Phil Galewitz
It’s not yet clear what impact the decision on Kentucky’s mandate will have on other state programs.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Whither Work Requirements?
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News discuss the latest enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid work requirements in Kentucky and President Donald Trump’s proposed government reorganization plan. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.
What A U.S.-China Trade War Could Mean For The Opioid Epidemic
By Matthew Garcia
The nation’s effort to combat this public health crisis could get caught in the crossfire of the Trump administration’s trade policies.
The Other Victims: First Responders To Horrific Disasters Often Suffer In Solitude
By Heidi de Marco
Some firefighters, emergency medical providers and law enforcement officers say recent mass shootings and other calamities — disturbing enough in themselves — have brought to the surface trauma buried over years on the job. Many are reluctant to seek help, though some employers are trying to change that.
Texas Clinics Busting Traditional Silos Of Mental And Physical Health Care
By Caroline Covington
Efforts to provide care that integrates physical and mental health services are spreading, partly because untreated mental health conditions negatively affect physical health and escalate health care costs.
Tennessee-Based Pain Management Group To Close Clinics Amid Financial Turmoil
By Fred Schulte
The CEO of Comprehensive Pain Specialists was indicted in April. Now the group is closing clinics across several states.
Vulnerable Rural Hospitals Face Quandaries Over Questionable Billing Schemes
By khndianew
Two Missouri hospitals handed over their operations to a private company that has vastly increased the money the hospitals bring in through their laboratories, even though the lab tests are not done on-site.
Out-Of-Pocket Costs Put HIV Prevention Drug Out Of Reach For Many At Risk
By Shefali Luthra and Anna Gorman
It’s getting increasingly difficult for patients to afford Truvada, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, because of the drug’s high price and insurance company efforts to restrict the use of coupons that shield patients from it.
More Nurse Practitioners Now Pursue Residency Programs To Hone Skills
By Michelle Andrews
Proponents say the residencies provide help dealing with increasingly difficult cases, but some nursing groups contend that the programs are not necessary.
Immigrant Families Placed In Detention Centers Face Health Care Challenges
By Shefali Luthra and Marisa Taylor
The Trump administration plans to detain immigrant families indefinitely in facilities run by the Department of Homeland Security, an agency with little experience in handling their complex needs.