States Target Vaping With Bans. In California, The Action Is Local.
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 30, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Several states have adopted bans on vaping products, but California isn’t going that far. Instead, cities and counties in the Golden State are stepping in to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products within their jurisdictions — or ban the sale of e-cigarettes altogether.
Google Completes Steps To Purchase FitBit For $2.1B
January 15, 2021
Morning Briefing
A report from Stat says the purchase could give Google an advantage in clinical trials and in the employer market interested in rewarding workers healthy habits. News is on the system rewarding higher insulin prices and an expected approval of a new drug from Aurinia to treat a serious kidney disease.
Why Hoarding Of Hydroxychloroquine Needs To Stop
By Martha Bebinger, WBUR
March 25, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Six states — Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas — have taken steps to limit inappropriate prescriptions for the medicine and preserve supplies for patients who take it for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
‘An Arm And A Leg’: Reporter Says ‘Shame’ Spurred Hospital To Cancel Debt For Thousands
By Dan Weissmann
December 19, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, Tenn., sued thousands of patients for unpaid medical bills. Journalist Wendi Thomas wrote about it. Months later, the hospital dropped 6,500 lawsuits.
Federal Judge Tosses Hospitals’ Lawsuit Over 340B Drug Discount Program
February 19, 2021
Morning Briefing
District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers said providers should use a new HHS dispute resolution process to try to resolve their issues before turning to the courts, Stat reports. Other news is on Humacyte, the AMR Action Fund and pharmaceutical reps.
Vapers Seek Relief From Nicotine Addiction In — Wait For It — Cigarettes
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 13, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Even though e-cigarette makers market their products as a safer alternative to cigarettes, a growing number of vapers are trying to quit— and they’re turning to cigarettes to help them.
When Masculinity Turns ‘Toxic’: A Gender Profile Of Mass Shootings
By Phillip Reese
October 3, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Men are far more likely than women to commit deadly mass shootings, both in California and across the nation. We break down the numbers — and ask experts why gender would have a role in indiscriminate violence.
Medicare Part B Premiums Going Up
November 9, 2020
Morning Briefing
The monthly premium for outpatient care will go up by $3.90 next year to $148.50. The increase will claim a significant slice of retirees’ Social Security cost-of-living adjustment; it works out to nearly 20% of the average retired worker’s COLA of $20 a month next year, the AP reports.
Is US Surge Of Highly Contagious Variant Inevitable?
March 16, 2021
Morning Briefing
The B.1.1.7 variant is poised to become the dominant strain in the U.S. but public health officials say future infection numbers depend on Americans’ precautions. Meanwhile a new study confirms fears that it is more deadly than other variants. In related news: a new variant is discovered in France.
Fauci Warns Covid Rate Still Too High
April 26, 2021
Morning Briefing
Dr. Anthony Fauci spoke on TV to warn that 50,000 new covid infections a day is too many. Meanwhile, studies show the B.1.1.7 covid variant, first found in the UK, is now the dominant strain in Oregon, and the Los Angeles Times reports on the record 5.7 million new cases reported globally over the weekend.
‘Eeek’ Mutation Of A Variant: Latest Discovery Worries Disease Experts
February 3, 2021
Morning Briefing
Samples studied in the United Kingdom and the U.S. have shown a mutation of the more contagious B.1.1.7 variant first discovered in the U.K. Infectious disease experts are concerned about vaccine efficacy against this latest viral change.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Trump Takes Credit Where It Isn’t Due
January 16, 2020
KFF Health News Original
President Donald Trump says he “saved” popular protections for preexisting conditions, even though his administration is in court asking them to be struck down. Meanwhile, Democrats who want to run against Trump in the fall continue to argue among themselves over health issues. And Kansas may become the next state to expand Medicaid. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Tami Luhby of CNN and Shefali Luthra of Kaiser Health News join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this and more.
Data Suggest Virus Variant Found In UK Is Deadlier Than Earlier Versions
January 25, 2021
Morning Briefing
The CDC is reviewing a British report that indicates the B.1.1.7 strain may be 30% more lethal. NIH Director Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci say more information is needed to know if its more lethal and contagious.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Elections Matter
November 7, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Key Democratic wins in 2019 state elections in Virginia and (probably) Kentucky could have big implications for health care in general and Medicaid in particular. And in the Democratic presidential primary, Elizabeth Warren is catching flak from all sides over her “Medicare For All” plan. This week, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Caitlin Owens of Axios and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, Rovner interviews KHN’s Laura Ungar, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month.” For “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.
Proveedores de Medicaid, al final de la lista para recibir fondos por COVID
By Julie Rovner
May 18, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Los directores estatales de Medicaid dicen que, sin financiamiento inmediato, muchas instalaciones de salud que atienden a pacientes de Medicaid podrían tener que cerrar de manera permanente.
As Youth Suicides Climb, Anguished Parents Begin To Speak Out
By Sharon Jayson
March 10, 2020
KFF Health News Original
The suicide rate for children ages 10 to 14 almost tripled in a decade and is still rising. As parents grapple with loss, some turn to activism.
Despite Supreme Court Win, Texas Abortion Clinics Still Shuttered
By Ashley Lopez, KUT
November 18, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Three years after winning a big legal battle, abortion providers still find themselves losing the war when it comes to keeping clinics open across the huge, populous state.
As COVID Cuts Deadly Path Through Indiana Prisons, Inmates Say Symptoms Ignored
By Jake Harper, Side Effects Public Media
May 29, 2020
KFF Health News Original
Since the start of the pandemic, prisoners and their families have contradicted state officials about the conditions inside Indiana prisons. Many inmates report they’ve had no way to protect themselves from close contact with other inmates and staff members. They believe contracting the coronavirus is inevitable.
De no creer: jóvenes buscan aliviar su adicción al “vapeo”… fumando cigarrillos
By Ana B. Ibarra
September 13, 2019
KFF Health News Original
Una unidad de Juul, que proporciona alrededor de 200 bocanadas, contiene tanta nicotina como un paquete de cigarrillos. Los jóvenes vuelven a fumar para frenar otra adicción.
COVID-Like Cough Sent Him To ER — Where He Got A $3,278 Bill
By Phil Galewitz
May 25, 2020
KFF Health News Original
A dad in Denver tried to do everything right when COVID symptoms surfaced. Still, he ended up with a huge bill from an insurer that had said it waived cost sharing for coronavirus treatment. What gives?