Alaska’s Health Services Still Recovering From Cyberattack
June 3, 2021
Morning Briefing
In other news, Arizona’s plans to use a poison labelled Zyklon B by the Nazis for executions draw condemnation; smokable medical marijuana is backed by Louisiana lawmakers; and a Dallas high school valedictorian spoke out over Texas’ new anti-abortion laws.
Underfunded And Understaffed Public Health Workforce To Get $7.4B Injection
May 14, 2021
Morning Briefing
The White House announced that the funds come from the recent relief bill and will be used to hire additional public health workers and modernize the existing departments.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: SCOTUS, Trump Collide Over Transgender Rights
June 18, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The Trump administration rolled back protections for transgender patients just days before the Supreme Court cemented LGBTQ rights under the Civil Rights Act. So, what now? Meanwhile, coronavirus politics reaches beyond health care settings. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Tami Luhby of CNN and Shefali Luthra of KHN join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week they think you should read, too.
Swab, Spit, Stay Home? College Coronavirus Testing Plans Are All Over the Map
By Michael McAuliff Sebastián Martínez Valdivia, KBIA Christine Herman, Side Effects Public Media Stephanie O'Neill
August 21, 2020
KFF Health News Original
2020 will be a year like no other on college campuses, as every institution makes its own rules. Some have no plans to routinely test students for the coronavirus; others aim to test every student and staff member twice a week.
Maine Voters Consider U-Turn On Vaccine Exemptions
By Patty Wight, Maine Public Radio
March 3, 2020
KFF Health News Original
States tried to tighten vaccine requirements last year in the midst of measles outbreaks, but a backlash against a tougher law in Maine put a referendum on the ballot there. Voters weigh in on Super Tuesday.
Another Problem on the Health Horizon: Medicare Is Running Out of Money
By Julie Rovner
July 22, 2020
KFF Health News Original
With millions out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic, fewer payroll taxes are coming in to help keep Medicare’s trust fund intact.
Fauci Unfazed as Scientists Rely on Unproven Methods to Create COVID Vaccines
By Liz Szabo
August 3, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Teams are starting to test vaccines using messenger RNA or chimpanzee cold viruses to inoculate humans. Will their benefits last?
Musicians Improvise Masks for Wind Instruments to Keep the Band Together
By Laura Ungar
October 16, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Instrumentalists in ensembles, marching bands and other groups are getting creative with pantyhose, air filters, fabric and sewing machines to reduce the risk of COVID without silencing the music.
OxyContin Settlement Grows To $4.28B
March 16, 2021
Morning Briefing
The restructuring plan with Purdue Pharma includes another $1.5 billion and also ensures that the money will largely be spent to help curb the nation’s opioid crisis, rather than going into states’ general coffers, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Huge Windfall: Pfizer Will Rake In $26B For Covid Vaccine Sales In 2021
May 5, 2021
Morning Briefing
That would make it the biggest-selling pharmaceutical product in the world. The company, which splits its covid vaccine earnings 50-50 with BioNTech, expects demand to continue for years.
Prognosis for Rural Hospitals Worsens With Pandemic
By Sarah Jane Tribble
August 26, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Rural hospitals were already struggling before the coronavirus emerged. Now, the loss of revenue from patients who are afraid to come to the emergency room, postponing doctor’s appointments and delaying elective surgeries is adding to the pressure.
‘An Arm And A Leg’: What A Fleet Of Firetrucks Can Teach About Public Health
By Dan Weissmann
April 27, 2020
KFF Health News Original
This week on “An Arm and a Leg,” a front-line physician wonders if the health care industry’s drive for “efficiency” has robbed the system of surge capacity, leaving the nation underprepared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Coronavirus Goes Viral
March 12, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The rapidly spreading coronavirus has led to the cancellation of sporting events, conferences and travel, with Congress and President Donald Trump scrambling to catch up to the spiraling public health crisis. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has issued long-awaited rules aimed at making it easier for patients to carry copies of their medical records. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, for extra credit, the panelists suggest their favorite health policy stories of the week they think you should read, too.
As Coronavirus Spreads, Workers Could Lean On ACA Coverage Protection
April 3, 2020
KFF Health News Original
KHN’s Julie Rovner discusses the role of the Affordable Care Act in helping to provide coverage to people affected by the virus’ economic repercussions.
Fractured Skulls, Lost Eyes: Police Often Break Own Rules Using ‘Rubber Bullets’
By Liz Szabo Jay Hancock Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY Donovan Slack, USA TODAY Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY
June 19, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Around the country, police responded to protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death by shooting “less lethal” projectiles, which can seriously hurt and kill. In a joint investigation, KHN and USA TODAY found some officers appear to have violated their department’s own rules when they fired.
Supreme Court, Rejecting Restrictive La. Law, Refuses To Roll Back Abortion Rights
By Julie Rovner
June 29, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s liberals in the 5-4 decision that strikes down a state law requiring doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
En 2020, California planea a lo grande en atención médica
By Ana B. Ibarra
January 21, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Los proyectos de ley de atención médica y las iniciativas presupuestarias de los políticos están llenas de ideas y dólares, y se oponen a industrias poderosas.
For 2020, California Goes Big On Health Care
By Ana B. Ibarra
January 21, 2020
KFF Health News Original
California lawmakers are proposing ambitious health care ideas, from creating a state generic drug label to banning the sale of flavored e-cigarette products. Even though Democrats control state government, they’re likely to face pushback from powerful health care industry groups like hospitals.
One Defensive Strategy Against Surprise Medical Bills: Set Your Own Terms
By Julie Appleby
February 11, 2020
KFF Health News Original
By writing in payment limits when signing hospital forms, patients might have leverage in negotiations over disputes that arise from surprise medical bills.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Remaking Medicaid — Maybe
January 30, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The Trump administration is proposing to let states have more control of their Medicaid programs in exchange for potentially less money from the federal government. Meanwhile, the dangerous respiratory virus spreading from China is starting to affect trade and transportation along with public health. Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner, Erin Mershon of Stat and Joanne Kenen of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more.
