Health Industry Archives - Page 46 of 203

Trump Puts Obamacare Repeal Back on Agenda

Episode 324

Nov. 30, 2023

Although Republicans have never united behind a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, 2024 GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump said this week he wants to put the issue back on the national agenda. That delights Democrats, who have won at least two elections partly by defending the now-popular health law. Meanwhile, the Texas Supreme Court takes up a case brought by women who say their pregnancy complications further endangered their health due to the vagueness of Texas’ near-total ban on abortions. Joanne Kenen of Johns Hopkins University and Politico Magazine, Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet, and Victoria Knight of Axios News join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews KFF Health News’ Rachana Pradhan, who reported and wrote the latest “Bill of the Month” feature.

Listen Now

Uncle Sam Wants You … to Help Stop Insurers’ Bogus Medicare Advantage Sales Tactics

The Biden administration wants to crack down on deceptive or misleading Medicare Advantage and drug plan sales tactics. It’s counting on beneficiaries to help catch offenders.

By Susan Jaffe

Nov. 30, 2023

A photo of a doctor examining an elderly patient's knee.

Medicare Advantage Increasingly Popular With Seniors — But Not Hospitals and Doctors

Some hospitals and physician groups are rejecting Medicare Advantage plans over payment rates and coverage restrictions, causing turmoil for patients.

By Julie Appleby

Nov. 29, 2023

Back Pain? Bum Knee? Be Prepared to Wait for a Physical Therapist

Physical therapists left the field en masse during the covid-19 pandemic, even as demand from aging baby boomers skyrocketed. While universities try to boost their training programs to increase the number of graduates, patients seeking relief from often debilitating pain are left to wait.

By Mark Kreidler

Nov. 28, 2023

A digital illustration of Andy Miller in the center, with a doctor and a pill bottle to each side. Above him, text reads "THYROID PROBLEM"

Illustrated Report

How the Thyroid Gland Mystifies Doctors and Patients

This illustrated report has been adapted from a KFF Health News article, “Many Autoimmune Disease Patients Struggle With Diagnosis, Costs, Inattentive Care” by Andy Miller, with artwork by Oona Tempest.

By Oona Zenda and Andy Miller

Nov. 27, 2023

A digital illustration painted with colorful gouache in yellow and blue tones shows a woman with her head tilted back in exhaustion, exposing her neck. The thyroid gland, shaped like a butterfly, is painted black in the center of her neck. Dots of various sizes swirl around her. Flowing into the thyroid gland are pill symbols. Dots with money symbols flow out.

Many Autoimmune Disease Patients Struggle With Diagnosis, Costs, Inattentive Care

Despite the prevalence of autoimmune conditions, like the thyroid disease Hashimoto’s, sometimes finding help can prove frustrating as well as expensive. There are often no definitive diagnostic tests, so patients may rack up big bills as they search for confirmation of their condition and for treatment options.

By Andy Miller

Nov. 27, 2023

Three people stand behind lecterns on a debate stage. Former governor of South Carolina and United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley stands on the left, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is in the center and currently speaking, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy stands on the right.

What Would a DeSantis Presidency Look Like for Health Care?

Ron DeSantis’ record as Florida governor provides some clues to how he would change the health care landscape if elected president. In his five years as governor, DeSantis has promoted stricter abortion rules and emphasized individual freedom over the benefits of public health.

By Romy Ellenbogen, Tampa Bay Times and Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times

Nov. 24, 2023

A photo of the interior of a luxury hotel room. The room features a flat screen TV, an electric kettle, and a bouquet of flowers.

Perspective

From Hospital to Hospitality: Spin Doctors Brand Getting Sick as an Adventure. It’s Not.

At $1,000 a night for a private room, medical centers are offering fancy food and casting health care as a “journey.” Instead of creature comforts, how about helping us feel better?

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Nov. 22, 2023

A woman sits on a couch with her hands folded in her lap and looks off-camera to her left.

Bill of the Month

Out for Blood? For Routine Lab Work, the Hospital Billed Her $2,400

Convenient as it may be, beware of getting your blood drawn at a hospital. The cost could be much higher than at an independent lab, and your insurance might not cover it all.

By Rachana Pradhan

Nov. 21, 2023

A photo of an elderly man being assisted by his wife and daughter while sitting at a table.

Dying Broke: A KFF Health News-New York Times Project

Extra Fees Drive Assisted Living Profits

The add-ons pile up: $93 for medications, $50 for cable TV. Prices soar as the industry leaves no service unbilled, out of reach for many families.

By Jordan Rau

Nov. 20, 2023

June Voros is sitting on a couch in her home. Her hands are placed on her knees and she looks towards the camera.

Faces of Medi-Cal

Beyond Insulin: Medi-Cal Expands Patient Access to Diabetes Supplies

California’s Medicaid program is making it easier for people with diabetes to obtain the supplies and equipment they need to manage their blood sugar, partly by relaxing preauthorization requirements that can cause life-threatening delays.

By Angela Hart

Nov. 17, 2023

Two patients wait in a waiting room at a doctor's office. On the far left, a physician is walking by.

Primary Care Disrupted

Compensation Is Key to Fixing Primary Care Shortage

Many proposals have been floated about how to address the nation’s primary care problem. They range from training slots to medical school debt forgiveness but often sidestep comprehensive payment reform.

By Michelle Andrews

Nov. 16, 2023

Daphne Muehlendorf stands with a walker beside one of her daughters, Terra Khan.

The Unusual Way a Catholic Health System Is Wielding an Abortion Protest Law

Dignity Health is suing several patients and their advocates for “commercial blockade” for refusing discharge during the covid-19 pandemic. The lawsuits could set precedents for use of the California commercial blockade statute, conceived to constrain abortion protesters, and how hospitals handle discharges.

By Judy Lin

Nov. 15, 2023

A photo of a pharmacist organizing boxes of pills in an opened drawer.

Biden Administration’s Limit on Drug Industry Middlemen Backfires, Pharmacists Say

A rule taking effect Jan. 1 was intended to stop one set of abuses by pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, but some pharmacists say it’s enabling these price brokers to simply do new things unfairly.

By Arthur Allen

Nov. 15, 2023

A photo of a female caregiver sitting next to a nursing home patient who is unidentifiable.

Dying Broke: A KFF Health News-New York Times Project

What Long-Term Care Looks Like Around the World

Most countries spend more than the United States on care, but middle-class and affluent people still bear a substantial portion of the costs.

By Jordan Rau

Nov. 14, 2023

A photo of a woman helping her elderly mother up the stairs.

Dying Broke: A KFF Health News-New York Times Project

Facing Financial Ruin as Costs Soar for Elder Care

The United States has no coherent system of long-term care, leading many to struggle to stay independent or rely on a patchwork of solutions.

By Reed Abelson, The New York Times and Jordan Rau

Nov. 14, 2023

KFF Health News & PolitiFact HealthCheck

Do Republican Spending Cuts Threaten Federal HIV Funding? For Some Programs, Yes.

Spending cuts proposed by a Republican-led House subcommittee would cut millions from HIV-related spending.

By Grace Abels, PolitiFact

Nov. 14, 2023

The Health 202

What One Expectant Mom’s Effort To Get an RSV Shot Says About Health Policy

By Elisabeth Rosenthal

Nov. 13, 2023

Lalit Bajaj points to a computer screen, standing beside fellow emergency physician Julia Fuzak Freeman.

Why It’s So Tough to Reduce Unnecessary Medical Care

Treatments that don’t help patients, and may even harm them, are difficult to eliminate because they can be big sources of revenue.

By Markian Hawryluk

Nov. 13, 2023

A photo of a geriatrician holding an elderly patient's hand.

Who Will Care for Older Adults? We’ve Plenty of Know-How but Too Few Specialists

The principles and practices of geriatrics are being widely disseminated. And we understand much more now about how to improve older adults’ care. Yet we don’t have enough geriatricians to meet the growing demand.

By Judith Graham

Nov. 10, 2023

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