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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Some CT Scans Deliver Too Much Radiation, Researchers Say. Regulators Want To Know More.

KFF Health News Original

Unnecessarily high radiation doses in scans have been linked to cancers. Under new federal rules, doctors and imaging centers have to more closely track and report the doses of radiation that patients receive.

Sent Home To Heal, Patients Avoid Wait for Rehab Home Beds

KFF Health News Original

Many patients ready to leave the hospital end up lingering for days or weeks — occupying beds that others need and driving up costs — because of a lack of open spots at nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities. A few health systems are addressing this problem by moving post-acute rehab into the home.

Thought Inflation Was Bad? Health Insurance Premiums Are Rising Even Faster

KFF Health News Original

California businesses saw employees’ monthly family insurance premiums rise nearly $1,000 over a 15-year period, more than double the pace of inflation. And employees’ share grew as companies shifted more of the cost to workers.

Trump Health Care Proposal Billed as Consumer Protection but Adds Enrollment Hoops

KFF Health News Original

The proposal also would reverse a Biden administration policy that allowed “Dreamers” — immigrants in the country illegally who were brought here as children — from qualifying for subsidized ACA coverage.

Your Neighbor Has Backyard Chickens. Should You Be Worried?

KFF Health News Original

The latest outbreak of bird flu has upended egg, poultry, and dairy operations, sickened dozens of farmworkers, and killed at least one person in the U.S. KFF Health News national public health correspondent Amy Maxmen explains why scientists are worried.

She Co-Founded the Office That Became DOGE. Now, She Sees ‘Irresponsible Transformation.’

KFF Health News Original

As a deputy chief technology officer in the Obama administration, Jennifer Pahlka brought Silicon Valley talent to Washington to streamline public access to government services. She believes better government technology could both ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted and that people who need health care and food assistance receive it.

Millions in US Live in Places Where Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach

KFF Health News Original

Nearly 3 million Americans live sicker, shorter lives in the hundreds of rural counties where doctor shortages are the worst and poor internet connections mean little or no access to telehealth services.

Medicaid Advocates Say Critics Use Loaded Terms To Gain Edge in Congressional Debate

KFF Health News Original

As policymakers in Washington debate potentially steep funding cuts to Medicaid, Republicans are using terms such as “money laundering” and “discrimination” to make their case. Language experts and Medicaid advocates say their word choice is misleading and designed to sway the public against the popular program.

To Patients, Parents, and Caregivers, Proposed Medicaid Cuts Are a Personal Affront

KFF Health News Original

At a town hall in Orange County, California, angry residents said Congress should keep its hands off Medicaid. The cuts contemplated in a House budget blueprint would bore a giant hole in California’s version of the safety net health insurance program, Medi-Cal, which covers nearly 15 million residents.

For Seniors With Hoarding Disorder, a Support Group Helps Confront Stigma and Isolation

KFF Health News Original

Hoarding disorder disproportionately affects older people. As baby boomers age, it is a growing public health concern. Effective treatments are scarce, and treating hoarding can require expensive interventions that drain municipal resources. Some experts fear a coming crisis.