Treating Uninsured Could Cost Hospitals $42B, And As Layoffs Increase That Number Could Soar
April 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Trump administration has said the $100 billion emergency fund created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act could be tapped to reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured COVID-19 patients. Meanwhile, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont issues an executive order on billing for treatment of the uninsured.
Congress Could Pass $250B Legislation Targeted At Helping Small Businesses As Early As This Week
April 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
Heavy requests for the previously approved $350 billion in loans push lawmakers to consider augmenting the original $2.2 trillion package with a smaller bill geared to help small businesses. Meanwhile, the Small Business Administration struggles with an aging system while under immense strain from the influx of emergency loan requests. In other news: Democrats eye Medicaid incentives for the next stimulus package; a comparison of the stimulus packages to the 2008 bailout; how much Trump hotels could benefit; and more.
¿Sola? ¿Ansioso? ¿Deprimido? Tal vez tu dentista puede ayudarte
By Ana B. Ibarra
February 27, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Una dentista de Oakland decidió incorporar una consultoría de salud mental en su práctica al observar que los pacientes hablaban de sus problemas de salud mental.
Lonely? Anxious? Depressed? Maybe Your Dentist Can Help
By Ana B. Ibarra
February 27, 2019
KFF Health News Original
An Oakland dental clinic has started screening its patients for depression, and referring them to a mental health counselor down the hall for immediate care if necessary. The program at Asian Health Services could be replicated elsewhere, and make help for mental health problems more accessible to hard-to-reach populations.
Supreme Court Sides With Insurers In $12B Case Over Promised Risk-Corridor Funds Under ACA
April 28, 2020
Morning Briefing
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the federal government must live up to its promise to shield insurance companies from some of the risks they took in participating in the health law exchanges. Insurers who accused the government of a “bait and switch” claimed they are owed $12 billion.
The Deep Divide: State Borders Create Medicaid Haves And Have-Nots
By Laura Ungar
October 2, 2019
KFF Health News Original
State borders can highlight Medicaid’s arbitrary coverage. On the Missouri side of the Mississippi River, low-income people struggle with untreated health issues. But on the Illinois side, people in similar straits can get health care because their state expanded its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.
Governor’s ‘Mental Health Czar’ Seeks New Blueprint For Care In California
By Rob Waters
August 29, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Thomas Insel, who ran the National Institute of Mental Health for 13 years before casting his lot with Silicon Valley, is taking a temporary break from his senior position at a health care startup to advise Gov. Gavin Newsom on how to remake mental health care in the Golden State.
Obesity Stigma And Yo-Yo Dieting, Not BMI, Are Behind Chronic Health Conditions, Dietitian Claims
By Julie Appleby
September 17, 2019
KFF Health News Original
With nearly 72% of U.S. adults considered overweight or obese, the pressing question is: Is it possible to be overweight and healthy at the same time? The science falls short.
Hey, Hey! Ho, Ho! Is Striking For School Nurses The Way To Go?
By Ana B. Ibarra
February 21, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Inspired by Los Angeles teachers, who were promised 300 more school nurses after striking last month, unions in Denver, Oakland, Calif., and beyond are demanding more school nurses or better compensation for them.
Grief Grew Into A Mental Health Crisis And A $21,634 Hospital Bill
By Laura Ungar
October 31, 2019
KFF Health News Original
She spent five days in the hospital undergoing psychiatric care. The bill she got is about the same price as a new Honda Civic.
Heavy Rains, End Of Drought Could Help Keep West Nile Virus Subdued — For Now
By Harriet Blair Rowan
April 12, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Scientists say drought can spur transmission of the disease and that wetter winters since 2015 have helped reduce the number of infections in California. In the long term, however, climate change could mean more drought — and more infections.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Fetal Tissue Research Is Latest Flashpoint In Abortion Debate
June 6, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the Trump administration’s efforts to curtail federally funded research using fetal tissue, the backlash from former Vice President Joe Biden’s support for the anti-abortion Hyde Amendment and how health policy intersects with both trade and immigration policy.
Listen: Reporter Describes Breakdowns In Electronic Medical Records
March 18, 2019
KFF Health News Original
KHN senior correspondent Fred Schulte describes a KHN-Fortune investigation into the massive push to track and share patient health care records.
Más vapeadores hacen su propio líquido, pero no sin riesgos
By Jenny Gold
Photos by Heidi de Marco
November 13, 2019
KFF Health News Original
A medida que más estados, ciudades e incluso el gobierno federal consideran la prohibición de la nicotina con sabores, miles de vapeadores comienzan a elaborar sus propios líquidos.
Republicans Want A $250B No-Strings-Attached Small Business Bill. Democrats Say That’s A Non-Starter.
April 9, 2020
Morning Briefing
Democratic leaders balked at the Trump administration and Republicans’ legislation, saying any package that included $250 billion in new small-business funding would need to include more than $250 billion in extra money for hospitals, state and local governments and food stamp recipients. Senate Republicans are set to vote today, but it’s unlikely the package, even if it’s successful in the upper chamber, would pass the House as is.
‘We Decided Enough’s Enough’: California Secures 200M Masks A Month At Cost Of $1B
April 8, 2020
Morning Briefing
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that his government has struck a deal with a consortium of suppliers to receive 200 million N95 respiratory and surgical masks for front line workers. In other news from the state, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti orders all city residents to wear a mask or bandana when shopping. And news outlets report developments from other areas of the state, as well.
Among Hurdles For Those With Opioid Addictions: Getting The Drug To Treat It
By Nina Feldman, WHYY
August 16, 2019
KFF Health News Original
It can be difficult to get a prescription for buprenorphine, one of the gold standards for treating opioid use disorder. And not all pharmacies stock the drug.
Transparent Hospital Pricing Exposes Wild Fluctuation, Even Within Miles
By Harriet Blair Rowan
February 4, 2019
KFF Health News Original
A new federal rule requires hospitals to post their prices online. These lists reveal the wildly different charges for basic procedures and services, but consumers will have a hard time putting this information to use.
Senate Approves $2T Stimulus Package With Checks To Some Americans, $100B In Grants For Hospitals
March 26, 2020
Morning Briefing
The deal is the product of a marathon of negotiations among Senate Republicans, Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team that nearly fell apart as Democrats insisted on stronger worker protections, more funds for hospitals and state governments, and tougher oversight over new loan programs intended to bail out distressed businesses. “A fight has arrived on our shores,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said. “We did not seek it. We did not want it. But now, we are going to win it.” The House is set to vote on Friday.
State Lawmakers Eye Federal Dollars To Boost Mental Health Counseling By Peers
By Rob Waters
July 1, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Medicaid pays for mentoring of mental health patients by “peer supporters,” but only if they are state-certified. California is one of two states with no certification program. Legislation pending in Sacramento would change that — if the governor backs it.
