Mental Health

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Judges In California Losing Sway Over Court-Ordered Drug Treatment

KFF Health News Original

In a Medicaid-funded pilot project starting with 19 counties, clinicians and other providers are now in charge of deciding what kind of treatment an offender needs. The change has rankled some judges and attorneys — and forced some felons to spend more time in jail — but it has been largely embraced by clinicians and county agencies.

Parents Are Leery Of Schools Requiring ‘Mental Health’ Disclosures By Students

KFF Health News Original

Florida school districts now have to ask if a new student has ever been referred for mental health services. It’s a legislative attempt to help troubled kids. Will it work, or increase stigma instead?

Workers Overdose On The Job, And Employers Struggle To Respond

KFF Health News Original

Despite the growing epidemic of Americans misusing opioids and overdosing on the job, many employers turn a blind eye to addiction within their workforce — ill-equipped or unwilling to confront an issue they are at a loss to handle.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Health On The Hill

KFF Health News Original

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Joanne Kenen of Politico talk about a spate of health-related legislative action on Capitol Hill, including Senate passage of a bill to address the opioid epidemic. Plus, for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health policy stories of the week.

Confusión deja a niños de bajos ingresos en un limbo de atención de salud

KFF Health News Original

Bajo la ley federal, los niños son elegibles para una amplia gama de servicios, pero proveedores confundidos y los planes de salud a menudo solo consideran los pocos servicios aprobados para los adultos.

California: A Health Care Laboratory With Mixed Results

KFF Health News Original

California frequently innovates to address its wide-ranging health care needs, but it has not always achieved its aims. A series of articles in the journal Health Affairs shows, among other things, that efforts to care for HIV patients, provide better access to reproductive services for low-income women and fill gaps in primary care have sometimes fallen flat.

Medicaid Covers Foster Kids, But Daunting Health Needs Still Slip Through The Cracks

KFF Health News Original

Nearly all children in the foster care system are covered by Medicaid. Yet, foster parents still struggle to meet the extraordinary health needs of their children. To solve this, some states are experimenting with a coordinated approach to care — with mixed results.

Rehabilitation Plus Rehab? Jails Dispense Drugs To Treat Inmates’ Addictions

KFF Health News Original

Rather than go cold turkey, inmates increasingly have the option to take medication to help beat addiction to opioids and other substances. But some warn these substitute drugs serve as another crutch — and a costly one at that.