Bipartisan Bill Would Alert Those Nearing Medicare Age About Late Fees
March 3, 2022
Morning Briefing
A growing number of Americans who don’t qualify for automatic enrollment at age 65 can get hit by Medicare Part B financial penalties if they don’t sign up by the time they are eligible. A Senate-introduced bill aims to inform people before that point — many of whom are unaware of the late-enrollment fees. Other Medicare news stories report on drug prices, nursing home quality, and more.
The Pandemic Is Hurting Pediatric Hospitals, Too
By Bernard J. Wolfson
May 19, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Children’s hospitals were generally in good shape before COVID-19, but now their revenues are plunging as beds they reserved to assist in the pandemic effort remain empty.
Missourians to Vote on Medicaid Expansion as Crisis Leaves Millions Without Insurance
By Cara Anthony
July 30, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Around the country, Medicaid enrollment is up as people who have lost jobs during the pandemic seek health insurance. Expanding eligibility for Missouri’s program, which could help thousands of recently unemployed residents, will be on the ballot Tuesday.
Heartbreaking Bills, Lawsuit and Bankruptcy — Even With Insurance
By Laura Ungar
September 25, 2020
KFF Health News Original
With health insurance that can leave him on the hook for more than a quarter of his salary every year, a Kentucky essential worker who has heart disease is one of millions of Americans who are functionally uninsured. At only 31, he has already been through bankruptcy and being sued by his hospital. This year, he faced a bill for more than $10,000.
A Battle-Weary Seattle Hospital Fights the Latest COVID Surge
By Will Stone
December 10, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Harborview Medical Center was at the epicenter of the first wave of coronavirus in the U.S. Staffers have a better understanding of the disease as cases surge, but fatigue and a lack of backup staff are big challenges.
The Cost Of People Who Went To The ER But Didn’t Need To? $47B Yearly
October 1, 2021
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare covers news about incorrect use of hospital emergency services and the huge costs incurred each year. Also in the news, a potential Kaiser Permanente strike; the struggle to train new nursing staff; medical AI company Dascena; ransomware attacks and more.
Less-Lethal Weapons Blind, Maim and Kill. Victims Say Enough Is Enough.
By Donovan Slack, USA TODAY and Dennis Wagner, USA TODAY and Jay Hancock, KHN and Kevin McCoy, USA TODAY
July 24, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Time and again over the past two decades, peace officers have targeted demonstrators with munitions designed only to stun and stop. Protests this year in reaction to George Floyd’s death in police custody have reignited a controversy surrounding their use.
Main Flu Strain Has Mutated; Current Flu Vaccines May Not Prevent Infection
December 17, 2021
Morning Briefing
It’s bad news for the vaccine, said Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania who led the study. Flu vaccines protect against four strains: H3N2, H1N1 and two strains of influenza B. The study covers just H3N2, but that happens to be the main circulating strain.
With Vaccine Delivery Imminent, Nursing Homes Must Make a Strong Pitch to Residents
By Judith Graham
December 17, 2020
KFF Health News Original
More than half of long-term care residents have cognitive impairment or dementia, raising questions about whether they will understand the details about the fastest and most extensive vaccination effort in U.S. history.
Stores Sold Out Of Covid Tests? Things May Improve As FDA OKs Another One
October 5, 2021
Morning Briefing
The at-home test from ACON Laboratories likely will double testing capacity in the next few weeks, a top FDA official said. The FDA also greenlighted a new at-home test kit for covid and influenza A/B for ages 2 and up that can be ordered by a physician.
Highly Contagious California Variant Might Evade Vaccines, Experts Warn
February 24, 2021
Morning Briefing
Scientists raise concerns that if B.1.427/B.1.429 combines with the variant identified in the United Kingdom, that mutation could be an even more dangerous strain.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Election Preview: What’s Next for Health?
October 1, 2020
KFF Health News Original
How will health issues affect voter choices? What will happen if President Donald Trump is reelected or the White House goes to Joe Biden? In this special election preview episode, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Joanne Kenen of Politico and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
Fauci Vs. His Republican Critics
November 29, 2021
Morning Briefing
Dr. Anthony Fauci is firing back at Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz, who have attacked him. In other news from the nation’s capital, the NIH director says it may be two or three weeks before scientists know enough about the new variant and the Supreme Court hearing an abortion case and a 340B case.
The State of Vaccine Supply: ‘Opaque.’ Unpredictable. ‘Hard to Pin Down.’
By Julie Appleby
February 5, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Americans’ frustrations surrounding the amount of available covid vaccine hinges on several factors — not the least of which is that demand far exceeds supply.
Farmworkers, Firefighters and Flight Attendants Jockey for Vaccine Priority
By Rachel Bluth Phil Galewitz
December 11, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Everyone — from toilet paper manufacturers to patient advocates — is lobbying state advisory boards, arguing their members are essential, vulnerable or both — and, thus, most deserving of an early vaccine.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: ACA in Peril With Ginsburg’s Seat in Play
September 24, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is giving new life to the latest constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act. It also places anti-abortion activists on the cusp of a court majority large enough to ensure the rollback of the right to abortion and, possibly, some types of birth control. Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar tries to centralize power at the sprawling department plagued by miscommunications and scandals. Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider and Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Sarah Jane Tribble about her new podcast, “Where It Hurts,” debuting Sept. 29.
LA County Authorities Cautious Despite Declining COVID Numbers
By Bernard J. Wolfson
September 3, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The county, a hotbed of coronavirus infection in California, has seen a steady reduction in positive test results, new cases, hospitalizations and deaths over the past few weeks. But officials are concerned about public behavior over the Labor Day holiday weekend and wary of relaxing strictures too soon.
Investigation Finds Medicare Insurers Drew $9.2B From Controversial Billing Practices
September 22, 2021
Morning Briefing
The Wall Street Journal reports on an investigation from Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services that also determined that half of that money went to 20 insurers. Other Medicare and Medicaid developments are also in today’s news.
Listen: Which Is The Greater Threat — The Coronavirus Or The Flu?
February 4, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Kaiser Health News reporter Liz Szabo talked to Connecticut Public Radio about the risks of the novel coronavirus compared with influenza.
Ever Heard of a Surgical Assistant? Meet a New Boost to Your Medical Bills
By Markian Hawryluk
July 22, 2020
KFF Health News Original
A college student’s bill for outpatient knee surgery is a whopper — $96K — but the most mysterious part is a $1,167 charge from a health care provider she didn’t even know was in the operating room.
