All Coverage

In The Middle Of The Country, A Hospital And Its Community Prepare For The Surge

Because the surge of COVID-19 cases hasn’t yet hit all parts of America, some hospitals are able to learn lessons from the hot spots and prepare for the onslaught. In Wichita, Kansas, Ascension Via Christi hospitals converted a portion of a hospital cafeteria into a grocery store and offered alternative housing and child care for staff members working long hours in a stressful setting. The hospital group is also working with local aircraft manufacturers and 3D-printing hobbyists to produce face shields and other safety materials.

By Sandy West

April 22, 2020

COVID-19

‘It Hurts Our Soul’: Nursing Home Workers Struggle With Thankless Position

Poorly rated long-term care facilities stand out in the COVID-19 crisis — but even the best are affected.

By Anna Almendrala

April 21, 2020

A Switch To Medicaid Managed Care Worries Some Illinois Foster Families

Illinois is moving thousands of children into its Medicaid managed-care program. Proponents say the approach can cut costs while increasing access to care. But after a phase-one rollout of the new health plans caused thousands to temporarily lose coverage, some question whether it’s the right move.

By Christine Herman, Side Effects Public Media

April 21, 2020

COVID-19

The Inside Story Of How The Bay Area Got Ahead Of The COVID-19 Crisis

An early morning text. A lawyer-filled meeting on a Sunday afternoon. Emotional journal entries. And, ultimately, action. In the 24 hours before San Francisco Bay Area public health officials issued the country’s first stay-at-home order, they debated how to tackle the alarming rise in COVID-19 infections. Their decision set the course for the nation.

By Angela Hart and Anna Maria Barry-Jester

April 21, 2020

San Francisco Quick To Fight COVID-19, Slow To Help Homeless

San Francisco Mayor London Breed won nationwide praise for taking drastic early measures against COVID-19. But her hesitation over how to care for the homeless came back to bite her.

By Brian Krans

April 21, 2020

COVID-19

Pandemic Stresses Already Fragile Rural Health Care Systems

KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber joined Newsy’s “Morning Rush” and WAMU’s “1A” show to talk about the challenges facing rural America during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 20, 2020

COVID-19

Before ‘Tidal Wave’ Of Illness, Nursing Home Thought It Had COVID-19 Contained

Though it already had one staff member testing positive for the coronavirus, the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing did not tell 911 operators this fact as it called ambulances to take residents in respiratory distress to the hospital, a WPLN investigation reveals.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

April 20, 2020

Amid Pandemic, FDA Seizes Cheaper Drugs From Canada

Many Americans order drugs from Canada and other countries because they are cheaper, but U.S. authorities appear to be cracking down on the practice.

By Phil Galewitz

April 20, 2020

Podcast

‘An Arm And A Leg’: Am I Protected If I Need COVID-19 Care?

“An Arm and a Leg” is back sharing stories about the ways COVID-19 intersects with the cost of health care. To tackle a listener’s question about health coverage, Dan Weissmann spoke with one of the country’s top insurance nerds.

By Dan Weissmann

April 20, 2020

How Climate Change Is Putting Doctors In The Hot Seat

Health care providers are seeing the effects of climate change in hospitals across the U.S. ― and urging their peers to take action.

By Melissa Bailey

April 20, 2020

COVID-19

In Fine Print, HHS Appears To Ban All Surprise Billing During The Pandemic

Language in the CARES Act says providers who take emergency funding cannot balance-bill coronavirus patients ― and “every patient” is considered a possible COVID-19 patient.

By Emmarie Huetteman

April 17, 2020

COVID-19

Listen: Battling The Coronavirus While Reopening The Economy

KHN’s Julie Rovner discusses the Trump administration’s blueprint for reopening the economy and its effect on public health on WBUR’s “On Point.”

April 17, 2020

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.

By Brianna Labuskes

April 17, 2020

COVID-19

NYC Nurse Says He’s Not Scared: ‘I Am Only Doing My Job’ For COVID-19 Patients

Francisco Díaz ordinarily works educating seniors about their diabetes, but he has moved to the emergency room, on the front line in the battle against coronavirus. He said his Latino background helps him communicate with the many Spanish-speaking patients and understand their culture.

By Paula Andalo

April 17, 2020

COVID-19

California Shies Away From Calls To Eliminate Restrictions On Nurse Practitioners

Many states are dramatically loosening regulations on nurse practitioners as the coronavirus pandemic increases demand for health care workers. But not California.

By Rachel Bluth

April 17, 2020

COVID-19

‘It’s Not Over Until It’s Over’: 5 Things To Know About Hitting The COVID-19 Peak

President Donald Trump says the country has seen a peak in new cases, but that doesn’t mean the end of the pandemic, experts say. Buckle in — we could be social distancing into 2022.

By Phil Galewitz

April 17, 2020

COVID-19

As Ventilators Become Crucial In Saving Lives, Repair Roadblocks Remain

With hospitals struggling to get more ventilators, they must ensure every ventilator they have is ready for service. But manufacturers limit who can repair them.

By Markian Hawryluk

April 17, 2020

KHN & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Obama: GOP’s Stance On Preexisting Conditions Off-Base, Especially During Pandemic

The former president’s statement highlights a clear difference of opinion that will likely come up often on the campaign trail.

By Shefali Luthra

April 17, 2020

COVID-19

The COVID-19 Bailout That’s Left Every Hospital Unhappy In Its Own Way

Despite intense lobbying for a piece of the $100 billion bailout pot, big New York hospitals and rural systems alike say they aren’t getting a fair share.

By Rachana Pradhan and Lauren Weber

April 16, 2020

Podcast

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: How Will We Reopen The Economy?

The politics of COVID-19 are pretty polarized, but health experts across the ideological spectrum agree: The U.S. will need more robust testing before it’s safe to relax social-distancing requirements. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, Congress and the nation’s governors continue to spar over who should be responsible for what. Kimberly Leonard of Business Insider, Tami Luhby of CNN and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News 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.

April 16, 2020

Trump 2.0

Public Health

Audio Reports

Special Reports

More Topics

In The Middle Of The Country, A Hospital And Its Community Prepare For The Surge

‘It Hurts Our Soul’: Nursing Home Workers Struggle With Thankless Position

A Switch To Medicaid Managed Care Worries Some Illinois Foster Families

The Inside Story Of How The Bay Area Got Ahead Of The COVID-19 Crisis

San Francisco Quick To Fight COVID-19, Slow To Help Homeless

Pandemic Stresses Already Fragile Rural Health Care Systems

Before ‘Tidal Wave’ Of Illness, Nursing Home Thought It Had COVID-19 Contained

Amid Pandemic, FDA Seizes Cheaper Drugs From Canada

‘An Arm And A Leg’: Am I Protected If I Need COVID-19 Care?

How Climate Change Is Putting Doctors In The Hot Seat

In Fine Print, HHS Appears To Ban All Surprise Billing During The Pandemic

Listen: Battling The Coronavirus While Reopening The Economy

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

NYC Nurse Says He’s Not Scared: ‘I Am Only Doing My Job’ For COVID-19 Patients

California Shies Away From Calls To Eliminate Restrictions On Nurse Practitioners

‘It’s Not Over Until It’s Over’: 5 Things To Know About Hitting The COVID-19 Peak

As Ventilators Become Crucial In Saving Lives, Repair Roadblocks Remain

Obama: GOP’s Stance On Preexisting Conditions Off-Base, Especially During Pandemic

The COVID-19 Bailout That’s Left Every Hospital Unhappy In Its Own Way

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: How Will We Reopen The Economy?

Morning Briefing

Trump Makes It Easier To Fire Some Top Federal Workers, Including Those At HHS

1 In 5 Privately Insured Americans Have Encountered Coverage Denial In The Past Year, Survey Shows

Simple Urine Test Correctly Identified 9 In 10 Kids With Autism, Researchers Find

All Coverage

Morning Briefing

Trump Makes It Easier To Fire Some Top Federal Workers, Including Those At HHS

1 In 5 Privately Insured Americans Have Encountered Coverage Denial In The Past Year, Survey Shows

Simple Urine Test Correctly Identified 9 In 10 Kids With Autism, Researchers Find

Email Sign-Up