Latest Morning Briefing Stories
Disparities Cloud Health Improvements In Past Decade, Report Finds
Federal officials note that minorities and low-income Americans continue to have less access to health care even as the country makes improvements in life expectancy and lowering death rates related to several conditions.
Administration Scales Back Expansion Of Community Health Centers
Health centers fear they won’t be able to expand fast enough to meet the growing demand from the current uninsured and the influx of people to Medicaid in 2014.
HCA May Face Big Revenue Hit If Feds Approve Texas Medicaid Plan
Hospital Corporation of America receives hundreds of millions of dollars in supplemental Medicaid money to help cover the poor and uninsured, but Texas officials suggest HCA may be benefiting the most.
Demise Of Pa. Plan For Low-Income Adults Leaves Many Uninsured
Six months after the state ended the adultBasic health coverage, only about 40 percent of the enrollees went to Medicaid or a limited benefit plan opened to them.
Rate Of Uninsured Stays Flat In 2010, Census Reports
Young adults, Hispanics fare better but Asians worse.
Healthcare 101: Connecting Immigrant Communities To Care
For the first time the Department of Health and Human Services is trying to help eligible legal immigrants sign up for programs like Medicaid. Here’s one program.
Reaching Out To Legal Immigrants Who Need Health Care
For the first time the Department of Health and Human Services is trying to help eligible legal immigrants sign up for programs like Medicaid, sometimes by going to health fairs in immigrant neighborhoods.
Readers Face Multiple Dilemmas About Insurance Coverage, Costs
“Insuring Your Health” columnist Michelle Andrews answers questions from readers, including someone wondering about coverage if you’ve been drinking, talking with your insurer about a family member’s bill and preventive colonscopies.
Q&A: Where Do I Find A Community Health Center?
Michelle Andrews, KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist answers a question from an uninsured reader with a big health-care bill. She’s looking for advice on future care.
New Emergency Care Programs Focus On Quality-Of-Life Issues
With training, hospital emergency department staff members can enhance their skills in pain and symptom management and improve their communication skills.
Health Law Bolsters Funding For In-School Clinics
At about 1,900 schools around the country, children can get checkups, vaccinations and help with medication.
Medical Loss Ratio: What Does It Mean For Consumers And Brokers?
In this Kaiser Health News video, Michelle Andrews talks about medical loss ratio, the amount of money an insurer must spend on health care as opposed to administrative costs and profits. The ratio could help ensure consumers are getting the most value for their health insurance premium dollars, Andrews says.
Insurance Usually Covers Diagnosis, Treatment Of Most Sleep Problems
As awareness of the issue has increased, so has expensive testing.
Q&A: Can I Get Medical Treatment And Hospice Care At The Same Time?
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader who wonders if there are states where they can get both curative care and hospice care at the same time. The health law may provide some solutions, Andrews says.
Alan D. Aviles, the longest serving president of the nation’s largest municipal health system, discusses his efforts to stabilize HHC’s finances in the face of dramatic budgetary challenges — including the health law’s reduction in special funding for safety net hospitals and state efforts to reduce Medicaid costs.
Federal Officials Try Again To Bolster Plans For People With Medical Conditions
The administration sets a second premium reduction hoping to entice more enrollees.
Q&A: Should I Consider The High-Risk Pools For Insurance Coverage?
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader who wonders if they should look for catastrophic insurance coverage if traditional coverage is out of reach. Consider high-risk pools, Andrews says.
Low-Income Families’ Rx For Health Reform (Guest Opinion)
For health reform to truly take root, we should take our cue from the millions of low-income Californians who have the most at stake
States Cutting Back On Drug Programs For HIV Patients
Budget shortfalls are forcing many states to tighten their AIDS drug assistance programs and bump low-income patients to waiting lists.
