“Sabiduría y miedo” llevan al 90% de los adultos mayores de EE.UU. a vacunarse contra covid
By Phil Galewitz
August 4, 2021
KFF Health News Original
La pandemia ha sido especialmente cruel para los adultos mayores. Casi el 80% de las muertes ocurrieron entre personas de 65 años y más. Millones estuvieron aislados en residencias y en sus casas por meses.
‘Wisdom and Fear’ Lead 90% of U.S. Seniors to Covid Vaccines
By Phil Galewitz
August 4, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The success in getting shots to older adults is likely due to states prioritizing that effort when the vaccines became available and motivation among the elderly after the virus killed so many in their age group.
Amid Covid Booster Debate, West Virginia to Check Immunity of Vaccinated Nursing Home Residents
By Phil Galewitz
July 30, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The state says it will look at the levels of disease-fighting antibodies among nursing home residents vaccinated against covid, which could help indicate whether they need a booster shot.
Desperate for Home Care, Seniors Often Wait Months With Workers in Short Supply
By Phil Galewitz
June 30, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The covid pandemic and President Joe Biden’s agenda — a planned $400 billion infusion of support — have focused national attention on the need to expand home- and community-based long-term care services designed to keep people out of nursing homes. But the need far outpaces the staffing.
Hospitals, Insurers Invest Big Dollars to Tackle Patients’ Social Needs
By Phil Galewitz
June 22, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Eager to control costs, health systems and insurers are trying to address patients’ social needs such as food insecurity, transportation and housing. Yet, after years of testing, there’s slim evidence these efforts pay off.
Skirmish Between Biden and Red States Over Medicaid Leaves Enrollees in the Balance
By Phil Galewitz and Andy Miller
February 10, 2022
KFF Health News Original
The Biden administration is getting rid of several policies implemented by Trump-era appointees that restricted enrollment. Federal officials now say states can no longer charge premiums to low-income residents enrolled in Medicaid and have ruled out work requirements.
Pandemia eleva el número de beneficiarios de Medicaid a más de 80 millones
By Phil Galewitz
June 18, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Las últimas cifras de inscripción al Medicaid muestran que creció de 71,3 millones de miembros en febrero de 2020, cuando la pandemia comenzaba en los Estados Unidos, a 80,5 millones en enero, según un análisis de KFF de datos federales.
Pandemic Swells Medicaid Enrollment to 80 Million People, a ‘High-Water Mark’
By Phil Galewitz
June 17, 2021
KFF Health News Original
More than 80 million Americans with low incomes were receiving health coverage through the federal-state program in January. The program now covers nearly 1 in 4 people nationwide.
Los hospitales derivan pacientes de atención primaria a centros de salud “semejantes” para mejorar las finanzas
By Phil Galewitz
Photos by Heidi de Marco
September 9, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Pero, a diferencia de los centros de salud comunitarios, los semejantes no reciben una subvención federal anual para cubrir los costos operativos. Tampoco obtienen la cobertura económica del gobierno federal para casos de negligencia médica.
Hospitals Divert Primary Care Patients to Health Center ‘Look-Alikes’ to Boost Finances
By Phil Galewitz
Photos by Heidi de Marco
September 9, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Medicare and Medicaid pay “look-alike” health centers significantly more than hospitals for treating patients, and converting or creating clinics can help hospitals reduce their expenses.
KHN on the Air This Week
December 18, 2020
KFF Health News Original
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Una prueba rápida negativa no significa que se está libre de covid
By Julie Appleby and Phil Galewitz
January 13, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Muchos ven a los kits caseros negativos como una “tarjeta de libertad”. Pero puede haber errores, y también infecciones futuras.
How Not to Use Rapid Covid Tests
By Julie Appleby and Phil Galewitz
January 13, 2022
KFF Health News Original
Although at-home antigen testing remains a useful tool, experts warn it is often used inappropriately and can provide false confidence for people concerned about safety.
Biden Administration Signals It’s in No Rush to Allow Canadian Drug Imports
By Phil Galewitz
May 28, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Federal officials asked a court to dismiss a suit by drugmakers over the policy enacted by the Trump administration that would allow states to bring in cheaper prescription medications from Canada. The filing said the lawsuit was moot because it’s unclear when or if the FDA would approve any state’s importation plan.
KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Getting Down to Work at HHS
March 25, 2021
KFF Health News Original
After a bruising confirmation process, Xavier Becerra was sworn in as secretary of Health and Human Services this week. The Senate also confirmed the nominations of former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to return to the post he held in the Obama administration, and former Pennsylvania health secretary Rachel Levine as assistant secretary for health. Levine is the first openly transgender person to receive Senate confirmation. Meanwhile, questions continue to swirl around the AstraZeneca covid vaccine, which some public health experts worry will create more hesitancy toward other vaccines.
Colorado Will Pay Hospitals to Close Expensive Free-Standing ERs
By Phil Galewitz
May 21, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The state, concerned about the high cost of care at these stand-alone facilities, is offering hospitals more Medicaid money if they convert them to other uses, such as primary care or mental health centers.
Record Number of Americans Sign Up for ACA Health Insurance
By Phil Galewitz and Andy Miller
December 23, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Nearly 14 million Americans have enrolled in Affordable Care Act marketplace health plans for next year — a record since the health law’s coverage expansion took effect in 2014. A boost in subsidies marketing and assistance in navigating the process increased the rolls of the insured.
KHN on the Air This Week
October 2, 2020
KFF Health News Original
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Cuatro respuestas sobre el freno a la vacuna contra covid de Johnson & Johnson
By Phil Galewitz
April 14, 2021
KFF Health News Original
Expertos en salud se preguntan si el freno a la vacuna de J&J a causa de seis casos de mujeres que desarrollaron coágulos luego de recibirla puede impactar negativamente en los esfuerzos de inmunización.
4 Things to Know About the J&J Covid Vaccine Pause
By Phil Galewitz
April 14, 2021
KFF Health News Original
The messaging surrounding vaccine safety and efficacy may mean as much as the science.