‘It Seems Systematic’: Doctors Cite 115 Cases of Head Injuries From Crowd Control Devices
By Jordan Culver, USA Today
September 14, 2020
KFF Health News Original
In the most comprehensive tally of such injuries to date, the Physicians for Human Rights scoured publicly available data — including social media, news accounts and lawsuits — to document and name victims of summer protests. Still, the group cautions, it’s likely an undercount.
Delta Now Responsible For More Than Half Of New US Covid Infections
July 7, 2021
Morning Briefing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the more transmissible delta variant, or B.1.617.2, is now estimated to be the dominant coronavirus strain in the U.S. The rapid growth worries public health experts.
Senate Republicans Kill Effort To Suspend Debt Ceiling, Avert Shutdown
September 28, 2021
Morning Briefing
The House-passed legislation was blocked in the Senate on Monday, leaving Democrats scrambling for a plan B to avoid a government shutdown and U.S. loan default — an outcome that economists warn could lead to another recession. Meanwhile, intraparty tensions among Democrats mount over the intertwined infrastructure and social spending bills.
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.
Covid Cases: Thought Labor Day Would Be Better This Year? You Were Wrong
September 7, 2021
Morning Briefing
Daily infections are more than four times what they were during Labor Day weekend 2020, when the United States didn’t have a covid vaccine. Meanwhile, the mu variant, also known as B.1.621, has been detected in Los Angeles County.
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.
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.
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.
As Schools Spend Millions on Air Purifiers, Experts Warn of Overblown Claims and Harm to Children
By Lauren Weber and Christina Jewett
May 3, 2021
KFF Health News Original
A KHN investigation found that more than 2,000 schools have spent millions of dollars for systems, lured by air purifier companies’ claims that experts say mislead or obscure the potential for harm from toxic ozone.
‘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.
Purdue Pushes For Opioid Settlement; Six States Pass On $26B J&J Deal
August 24, 2021
Morning Briefing
The role and financial responsibility of drugmakers in the national painkiller epidemic continues to be litigated in court. And two senators raise conflict of interest concerns over the FDA’s contracts with McKinsey and Co., which also consulted for “wide range of actors in the opioid industry.”
Clots, Strokes and Rashes: Is COVID a Disease of the Blood Vessels?
By Will Stone
November 13, 2020
KFF Health News Original
COVID-19 can cause symptoms that go well beyond the lungs, from strokes to organ failure. To explain these widespread injuries, researchers are studying how the virus affects the vascular system.
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.
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.
Perspectives: 340B Issue An Unneeded Distraction For Safety-Net Hospitals
June 22, 2021
Morning Briefing
Read recent commentaries about drug-cost issues.
Just 10 Days: That’s How Long It Takes Cases Of UK Strain To Double In The US
February 8, 2021
Morning Briefing
Researchers predict the B.1.1.7 variant likely will become the predominant strain in the United States in just a month. Public health measures that work on other strains may not be enough to stop B.1.1.7, experts say.
Trump Again Claims He’s Bringing Down Drug Prices, But Details of How Are Skimpy
By Victoria Knight
August 26, 2020
KFF Health News Original
During his Monday speech at the Republican National Convention, President Donald Trump pointed to his two of his recent executive orders as likely to lead to big reductions in prescription drug costs.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Live from D.C. With Rep. Donna Shalala
February 13, 2020
KFF Health News Original
President Donald Trump’s proposed budget includes billions of dollars in health spending cuts, Congress gets back to work on surprise medical bills, and health care remains a top issue for the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. Rep. Donna Shalala (D-Fla.), a former Health and Human Services secretary, joins the panel at a special taping before a live audience in Washington, D.C. Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call and Joanne Kenen of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
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.