Archive

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Keeping Kids Healthy And Sane In A Digital World

KFF Health News Original

Children are spending more time on their devices than ever before, despite evidence that excessive screen time puts their minds and bodies at risk. Parents should set limits and stick to them — and also change their own online behavior, experts say.

Illinois Clamps Down On Nursing Homes In Wake Of KHN-Chicago Tribune Investigation

KFF Health News Original

In reaction to an investigation by Kaiser Health News and the Chicago Tribune, the Illinois legislature has passed a new law to impose fines on nursing homes that fail to meet minimum staffing requirements.

‘An Arm And A Leg’: Expecting A Baby And Unexpectedly Dropped By Insurer

KFF Health News Original

Health care — and how much it costs — is scary. But you’re not alone with this stuff, and knowledge is power. “An Arm and a Leg” is a podcast about these issues, and its second season is co-produced by KHN.

California Gov. Newsom Proposes Penalty To Fund Health Insurance Subsidies

KFF Health News Original

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to help an estimated 850,000 Californians pay their health insurance premiums and would fund his plan with a tax penalty on people who don’t have coverage. If he succeeds, California would be the first state to subsidize middle-income people who make too much to qualify for federal financial aid.

Analysis: Why Alexa’s Bedside Manner Is Bad For Health Care

KFF Health News Original

Amazon’s personal assistant is gaining medical skills to provide coaching or transmit and monitor patient data. Besides the loss of the human touch, virtual medicine pursued in the name of business efficiency or profit bodes ill.

Watch: A Status Update On Efforts To Address Surprise Medical Bills

KFF Health News Original

KHN correspondent Rachel Bluth appeared on “PBS NewsHour Weekend” to talk with host Megan Thompson about the continuing problem of surprise medical bills and how the issue is playing on Capitol Hill.

Churches Wipe Out Millions In Medical Debt For Others

KFF Health News Original

In a mission of forgiveness, churches around the country are buying up medical debt for pennies on the dollar then erasing the debts of strangers. Since the start of 2018, at least 18 churches nationwide have abolished more than $34 million burdening America’s most debt-ridden patients.

Mired In Medical Debt? Federal Plan Would Update Overdue-Bill Collection Methods

KFF Health News Original

More than half of Americans contacted about an overdue bill said it related to medical debt. A federal agency has proposed new guidance for what debt collectors are allowed to do when pursuing many types of overdue consumer bills, including medical debt. But some consumer advocates have panned the effort.

Hospitals Accused Of Paying Doctors Large Kickbacks In Quest For Patients

KFF Health News Original

Hospitals are eager to get particular specialists on staff because they bring in business that can be highly profitable. But those efforts, if they involve unusually high salaries or other enticements, can violate federal anti-kickback laws.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ The State Of The Abortion Debate — A Deep Dive

KFF Health News Original

For our 100th episode, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Jen Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times and Sandhya Ramen of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to take a deep dive into the abortion debate, discussing everything from the latest news to the history of the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence as well as how states are trying to further expand or restrict abortion rights and access. Also, Rovner interviews KHN’s Lauren Weber about the latest “Bill of the Month” installment.