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Latest KFF Health News Stories

Opioids After Surgery Left Her Addicted. Is That A Medical Error?

KFF Health News Original

Doctors prescribed powerful opioids for a patient after back surgery but gave her little guidance on how to take them safely. Then, she says, they misdiagnosed her withdrawal symptoms. Some experts say this situation is akin to a hospital-acquired condition.

Podcast: ‘What The Health?’ Is Health Care Spending Still The Hungry, Hungry Hippo?

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Stephanie Armour of the Wall Street Journal, Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo and Margot Sanger Katz of The New York Times discuss new health spending numbers from the federal government, as well as how the year-end legislating in Congress is being complicated by health issues.

For Marketplace Customers Who Delay, Auto-Enrollment Could Be Nasty Wake-Up

KFF Health News Original

People who have a plan from the health law’s marketplace and who don’t actively shop for a new one will be auto-enrolled on Dec. 16. But unlike past years, most people won’t be able to change those plans if they don’t like them.

Health Risks To Farmworkers Increase As Workforce Ages

KFF Health News Original

Harvesting U.S. crops has been left to an aging population of farmworkers whose health has suffered from decades of hard labor. Older workers have a greater chance of getting injured and of developing chronic illnesses.

Stopping Opioid Addiction At One Key Source: The Hospital

KFF Health News Original

Based on research conducted at the University of Michigan’s medical center, a group of surgeons developed a strategy to help post-surgical patients from misusing or abusing their prescription painkillers.

Hospitals Find Asthma Hot Spots More Profitable To Neglect Than Fix

KFF Health News Original

Months of reporting and rich hospital data portray life in the worst asthma hot spot in one of the worst asthma cities: Baltimore. The medical system knows how to help. But there’s no money in it.

Your Plumber Offers A Money-Back Guarantee. Should Your Doctor?

KFF Health News Original

Even though consumers don’t expect to pay for faulty service or goods, they are often forced to pay for bad health care. But a small number of hospitals and doctors are seeking to change that practice.

Dangling A Carrot For Patients To Take Healthy Steps: Does It Work?

KFF Health News Original

Many medical groups and state Medicaid programs are offering gift cards, cash and other rewards to low-income patients if they agree to get preventive screenings and make healthier lifestyle choices.