Legislation Archives - Page 11 of 39

Alabama Court Rules Embryos Are Children. What Now?

Episode 335

Feb. 22, 2024

In a first-of-its-kind ruling, the Alabama Supreme Court has determined that embryos created for in vitro fertilization procedures are legally people. The decision has touched off massive confusion about potential ramifications, and the University of Alabama-Birmingham has paused its IVF program. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to endorse a national 16-week abortion ban, while his former administration officials are planning further reproductive health restrictions for a possible second term. Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Rachana Pradhan of KFF Health News, and Victoria Knight of Axios join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read this week that they think you should read, too.

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A photo of a man speaking to a therapist across from him, who is writing on a clipboard.

Health Care Workers Push for Their Own Confidential Mental Health Treatment

Montana may join about a dozen other states in creating “safe havens” that keep health care professionals from facing scrutiny from licensure boards for seeking mental health or addiction treatment.

By Katheryn Houghton

Feb. 22, 2024

A woman with long dark hair and wearing a white doctor's coat stands in a hallway with arms by her side and looks at the camera.

The Powerful Constraints on Medical Care in Catholic Hospitals Across America

The expansion of Catholic hospitals nationwide leaves patients at the mercy of the church’s religious directives, which are often at odds with accepted medical standards.

By Rachana Pradhan and Hannah Recht

Feb. 17, 2024

The Health 202

States Get in on the Prior Authorization Crackdown

By Bram Sable-Smith

Feb. 15, 2024

The Health 202

The No Surprises Act Comes With Some Surprises

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Feb. 14, 2024

The photo shows a person holding house keys in their left hand. They prepare to unlock the door in front of them.

Is Housing Health Care? State Medicaid Programs Increasingly Say ‘Yes’

States are using their Medicaid programs to offer poor and sick people housing services, such as paying six months’ rent or helping hunt for apartments. The trend comes in response to a growing homelessness epidemic, but experts caution this may not be the best use of limited health care money.

By Angela Hart

Feb. 6, 2024

A digital illustration shows a child sitting in a chair inside a white-and-blue transparent box that resembles a small room. The child holds their knees to their chest and looks away from the viewer; their face is further concealed by their hair. Their right pant leg is ripped at the knee, and there are bruises on their arm. A rope is tied to the leg of the chair, but not to anything else. The background is a dark, textured void.

The Health 202

Advocates Say a Practice Harms Disabled Children, Yet Congressional Action Is Stalled

By Fred Clasen-Kelly

Feb. 2, 2024

A photo of the exterior of Montana's Department of Health and Human Services.

Montana Vows Changes to Avoid Delayed Contracts. Some Health Providers Still Await Back Pay.

The head of Montana’s health department said the agency is catching up on a months-long backlog of contracts with organizations that connect people to medical care that left organizations without pay, halted some services, and triggered job cuts.

By Katheryn Houghton

Jan. 31, 2024

The Health 202

A Legal Battle Over Herring Fishing Has Big Implications for Health Care

By Julie Rovner

Jan. 30, 2024

Perspective

Ouch. That ‘Free’ Annual Checkup Might Cost You. Here’s Why.

The designers of the Affordable Care Act might have assumed that they spelled out with sufficient clarity that millions of Americans would no longer have to pay for certain types of preventive care. But they didn’t reckon with America’s ever-creative medical billing juggernaut.

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Jan. 26, 2024

The Health 202

The FTC Escalates Biden’s Fight Against Drug Prices

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Jan. 25, 2024

A photo of Toni Preckwinkle speaking at an event.

Diagnosis: Debt

New York Joins Local Governments in Erasing Billions in Medical Debt

New York City is the latest jurisdiction to buy and forgive a backlog of unpaid medical bills for its residents. Local governments across the country, including in the Chicago area, are doing the same to reduce debt burdens for lower-income residents.

By Yuki Noguchi, NPR News

Jan. 25, 2024

A photo of voters waiting in line to cast ballots indoors.

Postcard From New Hampshire

With Trump Front of Mind, New Hampshire Voters Cite Abortion and Obamacare as Concerns

New Hampshire’s primary election was dominated by voters’ feelings about Donald Trump. But health care remains a concern — and for Democrats, preserving abortion access is a priority.

By Phil Galewitz

Jan. 24, 2024

Payback: Tracking Opioid Cash

Federal Lawmakers Take First Steps Toward Oversight of $50 Billion in Opioid Settlements

The four-page bill lists how states should spend settlement money, but it doesn’t specify consequences for flouting the rules or name who is in charge of monitoring compliance.

By Aneri Pattani

Jan. 22, 2024

A photo of gloved hands applying a bandage to a child's arm.

Montana’s Effort to Expand Religious Exemptions to Vaccines Prompts Political Standoff

The dispute between state lawmakers and health department officials could delay a broader package of child care licensing changes until 2025.

By Matt Volz

Jan. 19, 2024

The Health 202

Climate Change Raises Pressure on Biden To Keep Workers Cooler

By Samantha Young

Jan. 19, 2024

The Health 202

Biden Cracks Down on Prior Authorization — But There Are Limits

By Lauren Sausser

Jan. 18, 2024

A portrait of Hannah Russell sitting at her computer desk. One hand is on her computer while her other hand is resting on a book titled, "Special Education Law."

‘I’m Not Safe Here’: Schools Ignore Federal Rules on Restraint and Seclusion

Federal officials have long warned that restraint and seclusion in schools can be dangerous and traumatizing for children, but school districts often fail to report incidents as required by law.

By Fred Clasen-Kelly

Jan. 17, 2024

What Would a Nikki Haley Presidency Look Like for Health Care?

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s tenure in the Palmetto State — which overlapped with several tumultuous years of health care reform — and her recent comments offer clues to how her presidency might affect national health care policy.

By Lauren Sausser

Jan. 12, 2024

The Health 202

The AMA Wants a Medicare Cut Reversed – And Lawmakers To Stay Out of Care

By Julie Rovner

Jan. 11, 2024

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