Cost and Quality

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Vaccine Storage Too Often Fails To Meet Standards

KFF Health News Original

Federal officials regulate the handling of vaccines that are provided through the Vaccines for Children program, which offers the medicines generally for children whose families could not afford them. But there is no federal oversight of how these drugs are stored among other health care providers.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ A ‘Healthy’ State Of The Union

KFF Health News Original

Health was a featured player in President Donald Trump’s 2019 State of the Union address. The president set goals to bring down prescription drug prices, end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. and cure childhood cancer, among other things. Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Alice Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and, for “extra credit,” provide their favorite health policy stories of the week. Rovner also interviews KHN senior correspondent Phil Galewitz about the current “Bill of the Month” feature.

For California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Resistance Is Personal

KFF Health News Original

Xavier Becerra, the state’s first Latino attorney general, is one of President Donald Trump’s most relentless adversaries. He attributes his legal values — and his opposition to the current administration — to his upbringing as the son of Mexican immigrants.

Transparent Hospital Pricing Exposes Wild Fluctuation, Even Within Miles

KFF Health News Original

A new federal rule requires hospitals to post their prices online. These lists reveal the wildly different charges for basic procedures and services, but consumers will have a hard time putting this information to use.

Task Force Outlines Strategy To Address California’s Shortfall Of Health Workers

KFF Health News Original

A new report by a coalition of health, education and labor leaders concludes that the state must build a larger and more culturally diverse pool of medical, mental health and home care professionals to meet the needs of a growing population. The findings point to a big challenge for Gov. Gavin Newsom as he seeks to extend health insurance to many of California’s nearly 3 million uninsured residents.

California Attorney General And Santa Clara County Face Off Over Sale Of Two Hospitals

KFF Health News Original

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is trying to prevent Santa Clara County from buying two local nonprofit hospitals unless it pledges to maintain certain critical health care services. County officials warn the hospitals will close if the attorney general succeeds, leaving area residents with fewer health care choices.

Community Hospitals Link Arms With Prestigious Facilities To Raise Their Profiles

KFF Health News Original

A growing number of community hospitals are forming alliances with some of the nation’s biggest and most prestigious institutions. But for prospective patients, it can be hard to assess what these relationships actually mean.

Drug-Pricing Policies Find New Momentum As ‘A 2020 Thing’

KFF Health News Original

Emboldened by midterm election results and interest in possible presidential runs, Democrats are advancing a slew of new and old legislative proposals. It’s not yet clear, though, which if any could go the distance.