Weekly Edition: October 23, 2020
‘No Mercy’ Chapter 4: So, 2 Nuns Step Off a Train in Kansas … A Hospital’s Origin Story
Sarah Jane Tribble
Mercy Hospital and the people of Fort Scott, Kansas, have a long, tangled history. To understand what the town lost when the hospital shut its doors, we rewind the story to 1886.
‘All You Want Is to Be Believed’: The Impacts of Unconscious Bias in Health Care
April Dembosky, KQED
One woman shares her experience trying to get care in a Bay Area hospital for COVID symptoms. At nearly every turn, a doctor dismissed her complaints. Is bias part of why people of color are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus?
Workers Fired, Penalized for Reporting COVID Safety Violations
Michelle Andrews
Many workers are resisting what they feel are unsafe, unhealthy conditions as companies restart. A few states have passed laws specifically aimed at protecting workers who face COVID-related safety risks and retaliation for speaking up, but advocates say stronger federal protections are needed.
Travel on Thanksgiving? Pass the COVID
Anna Almendrala
Staying home in your bubble is the safest advice, but family get-togethers, especially at the holidays, mean an awful lot. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci has gone back and forth on whether to have his daughters fly in for Thanksgiving.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: A Little Good News and Some Bad on COVID-19
Glimmers of hope are beginning to appear in the fight against the coronavirus, such as a decreasing death rate. But there’s not-so-good news, too, including a push for “herd immunity,” which could result in millions more deaths. Meanwhile, the Trump administration doubles down on work requirements for Medicaid. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Trump Says He Saved 2 Million Lives From COVID. Really?
Victoria Knight
The number is taken from a hypothetical modeling scenario that doesn’t offer a realistic comparison.
Older COVID Patients Battle ‘Brain Fog,’ Weakness and Emotional Turmoil
Judith Graham
Seniors tend to have more serious symptoms than younger coronavirus patients, including the aftereffects of hospital-based delirium. Doctors recommend physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and cognitive rehabilitation.
Can Ordinary COVID Patients Get the Trump Treatment? It’s OK to Ask
JoNel Aleccia
If you or a loved one has COVID-19, here’s what to consider before seeking experimental treatments.
Analysis: Winter Is Coming for Bars. Here’s How to Save Them. And Us.
Elisabeth Rosenthal
To stop the coronavirus, we need to stop super-spreader events.
In Tamer Debate, Trump and Biden Clash (Again) on President’s Pandemic Response
KFF Health News and PolitiFact staffs
Trump claims the U.S. is "rounding the corner" on COVID, while Biden predicts a "dark winter." On another front, Trump warns Biden's health care plan will lead to socialized medicine; Biden promises private insurance isn't going anywhere.
Did Trump Confuse the Public Option With ‘Medicare for All’?
Victoria Knight
President Donald Trump was off the mark when he said Vice President Joe Biden's health plan -- which includes a public options -- will terminate the private insurance of 180 million people.
Biden’s Big Health Agenda Won’t Be Easy to Achieve
Julie Rovner
Much like President Barack Obama, a President Biden could find his health policies initially sidelined by economic issues — in his case, caused by the pandemic.
Californians Asked to Pony Up for Stem Cell Research — Again
Rachel Bluth
More than a decade of research tied to California’s stem cell agency hasn’t yielded many cures or much revenue. But backers of a ballot initiative that asks voters for billions more in funding say the work is vital for patients and the scientific community.
Despite Pandemic Threat, Gubernatorial Hopefuls Avoid COVID Nitty-Gritty
Katheryn Houghton and Matt Volz
As the pandemic continues to cast shadows on everyday life, some candidates for governor are talking about everything except the specifics of how they would manage COVID-19 into the future.
Progressive Group Highlights Trump, Tillis Weakness on Insulin Price Tags
Aneri Pattani
The progressive Change Now PAC launched a campaign ad, which also circulated on Facebook, criticizing President Donald Trump and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) for not “fighting” for people with diabetes who struggle with the high cost of insulin.
Health Care Groups Dive Into Property Tax Ballot Fight, Eyeing Public Health Money
Angela Hart
Health care leaders say Proposition 15, a ballot initiative that would raise property taxes for large-business owners, could help boost revenue for chronically underfunded public health departments.
Even With ACA’s Fate in Flux, Open Enrollment Starts Soon. Here’s What’s New.
Julie Appleby
The Affordable Care Act’s future is uncertain and there’s no end in sight to the pandemic. Still, the 2021 insurance year is marked by stability.
Bridging the Miles — And the Pandemic — Teledentistry Makes Some Dentists Wince
Eric Berger
Teledentistry allows dentists to remotely review records and diagnose patients’ teeth over video. Some smile about its promise, while others see the potential for cutting corners. And it faces hurdles to widespread adoption.
UVA Health Still Squeezing Money From Patients — By Seizing Their Home Equity
Jay Hancock
The University of Virginia promised reforms but has stopped short of announcing them, while hospital giant VCU Health has freed tens of thousands from property liens.
‘An Arm and a Leg’: Vetting TikTok Mom’s Advice for Dealing With Debt Collectors
Dan Weissmann
We first learned about Shaunna Burns when her tips on medical bills went viral. In part two of our conversation with the so-called TikTok mom, we’re back for guidance about dealing with debt collectors. Then we fact-checked her advice with a legal expert, who said: Most of Burns’ advice totally checks out.
KHN on the Air This Week
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.