Weekly Edition: June 29, 2018
Trump’s Next High Court Pick Likely To Target Abortion. Is That What The Public Wants?
Julie Rovner
Findings from a new poll build on other recent surveys to suggest that Americans might not want the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, but opinions vary when examined by party affiliation.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Podcast Turns 1. Justice Kennedy Retires. Now What?
In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo and Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times discuss the possible impact of the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy on health issues. Also, in honor of our first anniversary, the panelists offer up their thoughts on the biggest health policy stories of the past year.
Unlocked And Loaded: Families Confront Dementia And Guns
JoNel Aleccia and Melissa Bailey and Heidi de Marco and Frank Carlson, PBS NewsHour and Randall Hill
As more Americans are diagnosed with dementia, families who have firearms struggle with ways to stay safe. A KHN investigation uncovered dozens of cases of deaths and injuries.
Worried About Grandpa’s Guns? Here’s What You Can Do.
JoNel Aleccia and Melissa Bailey
When a loved one gets dementia, many families get no guidance on what to do about that person's guns. Here are legal and practical steps to stay safe.
Father’s And Son’s Injuries Lead To The Mother Of All Therapy Bills
Stephanie O'Neill and Heidi de Marco
A father and son suffered serious hand injuries nine days apart. They both needed surgery and lots of follow-up occupational therapy to rehab their hands. But insurance paid for just a fraction of those OT bills, and the family owed more than $8,500.
Defendants In Diapers? Immigrant Toddlers Ordered To Appear In Court Alone
Christina Jewett and Shefali Luthra
Children separated from their parents at the border are being ordered to appear for their own deportation proceedings, attorneys say.
Fearing Deportation, Immigrant Parents Are Opting Out Of Health Benefits For Kids
Ashley Lopez, KUT
Advocates in Texas say immigrant families, nervous about a higher degree of scrutiny in applications for health and food benefits, are choosing to drop out of Medicaid and SNAP for citizen children.
Thinking About An Association Health Plan? Read The Fine Print
Michelle Andrews
Federal officials say loosening the regulation of these plans will offer small businesses a more affordable health insurance option, but critics are wary.
‘You Can’t Have Perfection’: Lawmakers Who Forged ACA Look Back
The five Democrats who led the key committees that wrote the Affordable Care Act talk with Julie Rovner at a session at the Spotlight Health portion of the annual Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado.
ACA Protections For Sick Patients Still Popular Despite GOP’s Efforts To End Them
Jordan Rau
Despite a decision by the Trump administration to ask a court to nullify the portion of the health law guaranteeing coverage to the sick, the Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds most people want insurers to be required to offer coverage and not charge more.
Top Policy Expert’s Ties To Giant Drugmaker Often Go Unstated
Sarah Jane Tribble
Dr. Mark McClellan joined Johnson & Johnson’s board of directors after leaving the FDA, but the connection often isn’t mentioned in research papers or public events.
Geriatric Assessments Could Fine-Tune Cancer Care For Older Adults
Judith Graham
The American Society of Clinical Oncology issued a new guideline that recommends adults 65 and older receive a geriatric assessment when considering or undergoing chemotherapy.
Squeezing Water From Air: Mysterious Machine Is A Lifeline On Battered Island
Carmen Heredia Rodriguez
Moses West a retired Army officer, is hoping to showcase his atmospheric water generator in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and stir up business.
Gawande’s Goal Is Providing The ‘Right’ Health Care In New Venture By 3 Firms
Julie Rovner
The surgeon and writer has been named to head a project by Amazon, Bershire-Hathway and JP Morgan to reduce health costs. He said he wants to help doctors “do the right thing” in delivering care.
Rx: Zucchini, Brown Rice, Turkey Soup. Medicaid Plan Offers Food As Medicine
Phil Galewitz
A small group of insurers offers some members with serious illnesses medically tailored meals to improve their health.
Readers And Tweeters Let Loose Over Kids Being Detained At The Border — And More
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.