Weekly Edition: June 1, 2018
Looking For Lower Medicare Drug Costs? Ask Your Pharmacist For The Cash Price.
Susan Jaffe
Sometimes a drug plan’s copayment is higher than the cash price, and under a little-known federal rule, pharmacists have to tell Medicare beneficiaries that — but only if they ask.
Benefit Change Could Raise Costs For Patients Getting Drug Copay Assistance
Michelle Andrews
More health plans are refusing to count the copayment assistance offered by drug makers as part of the patients’ deductibles or out-of-pocket limits.
Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Virginia, The VA, And Military Medicine
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call discuss the Virginia legislature’s about-face with a vote to expand the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act and the new bill to expand health programs for veterans. Plus, Rovner interviews Dr. Arthur Kellerman, dean of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Facebook Live: Vaping Unveiled
Nicotine-loaded e-cig juices that spoof popular treats — marketed to help adults kick the smoking habit— instead may be luring youths into addiction. California Healthline’s Facebook Live peeled back the curtains on this wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Watch: Beyond Puerto Rico’s Grim Statistics, Stories Of Lives And Deaths
KHN senior correspondent Sarah Varney reports from Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the devastating Sept. 20 hurricane.
Listen: As Puerto Rico Struggles To Rebuild Health System, Changes In Medicaid Loom
KHN reporter Carmen Heredia Rodriguez joins in a discussion on WNYC’s “The Takeaway” about health care issues following widespread destruction by Hurricane Maria on the island.
Listen: Virginia Reverses Course On Medicaid Expansion
After years of fighting Democratic governors who wanted to expand the state’s health program for low-income residents, lawmakers in Richmond Wednesday agreed to the measure.
‘They Deserve It’: In Foster Homes, Veterans Are Cared For Like Family
Patricia Kime and Lynne Shallcross
With the motto “Where Heroes Meet Angels,” a small Veterans Affairs effort pairs vets in need of nursing home care with caregivers willing to share their homes. Medical foster homes save money, but it’s difficult to find enough spaces for all those who could benefit.
Domestic Violence’s Overlooked Damage: Concussion And Brain Injury
Will Stone, KJZZ
Women are at high risk for getting concussions from domestic violence. A neurologist and a social worker have paired up to try to get women the specialized medical help and counseling they need.
Another Cause Of Doctor Burnout: Being Forced To Give Immigrants Unequal Care
Jake Harper, WFYI
Undocumented patients with kidney disease often can't get treatment unless they are in a state of emergency. This bothers clinicians who want to treat all patients equally.
Cameras On Preemies Let Family In, Keep Germs Out
Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio
Virtual visitation using webcams lets anyone with a password keep their eye on the most vulnerable babies.
Readers And Tweeters Bare Their Teeth On Dental Disparities (And Other Fine Points)
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.