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.
Lawmakers Just Sent $484B Bill To Trump But They Are Already Gearing Up For Next Battle Royale
April 24, 2020
Morning Briefing
The fourth stimulus package was meant to supplement the depleted fund to help small businesses, but Democrats fought to include money for hospitals and expanded testing as well. This bill took longer to negotiate than the previous three, and it could be the last measure that gets through without an intense and public political fight.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UCSF Medical Center Backs Off Plan To Deepen Ties With Dignity Health
By Jenny Gold
May 28, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The University of California’s flagship San Francisco hospital system cut off negotiations with the Catholic-run health care system in the face of heated opposition from UCSF faculty and staff.
Caen en picada las nuevas inscripciones en Covered California
By Ana B. Ibarra
January 30, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Las nuevas inscripciones cayeron casi un 24% para los planes de 2019. Algunos expertos dicen que esta baja no es una sorpresa.
New Covered California Sign-Ups Plummet
By Ana B. Ibarra
January 30, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Even though the number of people renewing their Covered California health plans increased this year, new enrollment plunged by nearly a quarter compared with last year, posting a bigger drop than the federal health insurance exchange, healthcare.gov, which saw a 16 percent decrease. Officials largely blame the elimination of the federal tax penalty for people without insurance.
A Million Californians Don’t Have Clean Drinking Water. Where Do They Live?
By Harriet Blair Rowan
June 28, 2019
KFF Health News Original
More than 10% of residents in 12 California counties don’t have safe drinking water, according to a California Healthline analysis of state water data. State lawmakers have pledged $130 million a year to help bring clean drinking water to Californians who need it.
Federal Appeals Court Takes Up Case That Could Upend U.S. Health System
By Julie Rovner
July 9, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The Affordable Care Act is again being put to the test after a lower court judge ruled the massive health law unconstitutional. Could the case ricochet back to the Supreme Court in the throes of the 2020 presidential campaign season?
Trump Administration Moves To Make Health Care Costs More Transparent
By Julie Appleby
July 31, 2019
KFF Health News Original
The proposed rules would require hospitals to provide far more detail about the actual prices they charge insurers for patients’ care.
Has Your Doctor Asked You About Climate Change?
By Martha Bebinger, WBUR
July 19, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Some physicians say connecting the consequences of climate change — heat waves, more pollen and longer allergy seasons — to health helps them better care for patients.
MDMA, Or Ecstasy, Shows Promise As A PTSD Treatment
By Will Stone, KJZZ
August 21, 2019
KFF Health News Original
MDMA, the psychoactive ingredient in the club drug known as molly or ecstasy, is being tested in combination with therapy as a treatment for severe trauma.
Exemptions Surge As Parents And Doctors Do ‘Hail Mary’ Around Vaccine Laws
By Barbara Feder Ostrov
April 5, 2019
KFF Health News Original
In California, medical exemptions to skip childhood vaccinations are on the rise. The trend underlines how hard it is to get parents to comply with vaccination laws meant to protect public safety when a small but adamant population of families and physicians seems determined to resist.
Why You Should Take A Peek At Your Doctor’s Notes On Your Health
By Victoria Knight
June 19, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Some patient advocates say your doctor’s notes offer insights you might never hear from your physician, putting patient and provider on the same page.
Más dolor de cabeza para oficiales federales por la promoción del vapeo en internet
By Shefali Luthra Chaseedaw Giles
November 14, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Mientras Washington se esfuerza por tomar medidas enérgicas contra la naciente industria del vapeo, los “influencers” de internet tienen su propia agenda.
