Jul 02 McConnell has about $200B to make deals on ‘Obamacare’ repeal By Michael McAuliff, Kaiser Health News Many policy experts, lobbyists and senators seem skeptical that the Better Care Reconciliation Act could be saved, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has $200 billion to build a bridge to victory. Continue reading
Jul 01 Insect venom shortage stings allergy sufferers this summer By JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News Allergists are warning of a shortage of a little-known product — honeybee, hornet and wasp venom extracts used in shots that prevent life-threatening reactions. Continue reading
Jun 21 How nurses are fighting the war against sepsis By Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News Hospitals are training a new breed of nurses who are devoted to caring for patients with sepsis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s attempt to fight an infection causes widespread inflammation. Continue reading
Jun 17 Lead detected in 20 percent of baby food samples By Lydia Zuraw, Kaiser Health News A new report suggests baby food could contain increased levels of lead. Continue reading
Jun 14 How this mother keeps hope alive after Zika virus By JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News Aryanna, who was born in late January, and the other infants are now at the center of efforts by U.S. officials to monitor the lasting effects of the devastating outbreak, even as another dangerous mosquito season begins. Continue reading
Jun 12 Why cancer patients don’t have enough information to make decisions about their treatments By Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News At a time when expensive new cancer treatments are proliferating rapidly, patients have more therapy choices than ever before. Yet they are largely kept in the dark because their doctors either can’t or won’t communicate clearly. Many patients compound the… Continue reading
Jun 06 Hospitals now tap lawyers to fulfill patients’ legal needs By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News As health care systems continue to shift toward becoming comprehensive medical homes for patients, health care providers are increasingly incorporating lawyers into the team of professionals who are on hand to help people at no additional charge to patients. Continue reading
Jun 03 As government-funded cancer research sags, scientists fear U.S. is ‘losing its edge’ By Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News Less and less of the research presented at a prominent cancer conference is supported by the National Institutes of Health, a development that some of the country’s top scientists see as a worrisome trend. Continue reading
May 24 The $200 billion perils of unnecessary medical tests By Chad Terhune, Kaiser Health News Needless medical testing and overly aggressive care can cost billions and harm patients, generating mistakes and injuries believed to cause 30,000 deaths each year. Continue reading
May 09 Medicare failed to investigate suspicious infection cases from nearly 100 hospitals By Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News Ninety-six hospitals reported suspicious data on dangerous infections to Medicare officials, but the agency did not follow up or examine any of the cases in depth, according to a report by the Health and Human Services inspector general’s office. Continue reading