Health Industry

Latest KFF Health News Stories

In Hard-Hit Areas, COVID’s Ripple Effects Strain Mental Health Care Systems

KFF Health News Original

In areas hit hard by the coronavirus, such as Detroit, behavioral health care workers have been overburdened and forced to scale back services at the same time people battling mental health disorders became more stressed and anxious.

California AG Seeks More Power To Battle Merger-Hungry Health Care Chains

KFF Health News Original

Xavier Becerra has made battling health care consolidation a priority since he became attorney general. Now that COVID-19 threatens vulnerable health care practices, he’s pushing to expand his authority to slow health care mergers.

COVID-Like Cough Sent Him To ER — Where He Got A $3,278 Bill

KFF Health News Original

A dad in Denver tried to do everything right when COVID symptoms surfaced. Still, he ended up with a huge bill from an insurer that had said it waived cost sharing for coronavirus treatment. What gives?

Congress Said COVID-19 Tests Should Be Free — But Who’s Paying?

KFF Health News Original

Some large employers interpreted themselves as exempt from new federal laws that say tests for the coronavirus should be free to patients. Large academic medical centers are holding back from sending bills to these patients to avoid a backlash over surprise billing.

Scientist Has ‘Invisible Enemy’ In Sights With Microscopic Portraits Of Coronavirus

KFF Health News Original

As an electron microscopist at the National Institutes of Health’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, Elizabeth Fischer has captured stunning images of emerging pathogens such as Ebola, the MERS coronavirus and now SARS-CoV-2.

‘Last Responders’ Seek To Expand Postmortem COVID Testing In Unexplained Deaths

KFF Health News Original

Early in the outbreak, some coroners and medical examiners didn’t have enough tests to use for people who died unexpectedly at home to see whether the coronavirus was a factor. Now, as testing gradually becomes widely available, more such mysteries could be solved.

‘An Arm And A Leg’: Angst And Advice From A Health Insurance Insider

KFF Health News Original

A podcast listener who works in the health insurance industry says that when you’re trying to untangle a problem with your health insurance company ask the representative on the phone to slow down. And if need be, don’t hesitate to ask to speak with a supervisor.

Listen: Tough Talk On Capitol Hill

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s Julie Rovner joined other journalists on Friday’s ‘On Point’ broadcast to talk about health news, including states relaxing their stay-at-home orders and Capitol Hill hearings featuring testimony before Congress by Drs. Anthony Fauci and Rick Bright.

Persiguiendo el esquivo sueño de una cura para COVID-19

KFF Health News Original

Hay más de 1,250 estudios de COVID-19 en marcha. Las farmacéuticas están invirtiendo miles de millones en el desarrollo de medicamentos y vacunas eficaces para poner fin a la pandemia.