Feb 21 Facing pressure, insurance plans loosen rules for covering addiction treatment By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News The change comes as addiction to opioids, which include heavy-duty painkillers and heroin, still sweeps the country. Continue reading
Feb 18 Treatment gaps persist between low- and high-income workers, even with insurance By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Low-wage workers with job-based health insurance were significantly more likely than their higher-income colleagues to wind up in the emergency department. Continue reading
Feb 15 Doctors bill Medicare for end-of-life advice as ‘death panel’ fears reemerge By JoNel Aleccia, Kaiser Health News Federal program paid $16 million in first six months of 2016 to counsel 223,000 patients about treatment preferences in their last days. Continue reading
Feb 13 California reports thousands of workers exposed to elevated lead levels By Barbara Feder Ostrov, Kaiser Health News The report comes as the state’s workplace health and safety agency, Cal/OSHA, is considering a major update of safety standards for workplace lead exposure for the first time in decades. Continue reading
Feb 12 What made the ACA succeed in some states? Hint: it’s not politics By Stephanie O'Neill, Kaiser Health News A study out Thursday tries to set aside the politics to examine how the insurance markets function and what makes or breaks them in five specific states. Continue reading
Feb 08 HHS pick Tom Price made ‘brazen’ stock trades while his committee was under scrutiny By Marisa Taylor and Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News Health and Human Services secretary nominee Tom Price showed little restraint in his personal stock trading during the three years that federal investigators were bearing down on a key House committee. Continue reading
Feb 07 If Obamacare is being repealed, do the uninsured need to pay tax penalties? By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Should people bother paying the penalty for not having health insurance when they file their taxes this year if Obamacare is repealed?… Continue reading
Feb 05 Indiana, Pence’s home state, seeks federal OK to keep Medicaid expansion By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News As Congress weighs repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the home state of Vice President Mike Pence seeks to keep its Medicaid expansion under the federal health law. Continue reading
Feb 04 Women fear drug they used to halt puberty led to health problems By Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News Despite questions about Lupron’s lasting side effects and minimal study into its safety, the FDA sped approval of the drug to market. Continue reading
Feb 01 Democrats say Cabinet choice Tom Price ‘misled’ the public. Here’s what we know By Christina Jewett, Kaiser Health News A key committee vote on Health and Human Services cabinet nominee, Rep. Tom Price, stalled Tuesday amid charges from Senate Democrats that he has misled the public about his financial background. Continue reading