Feb 01 Study: Doctors’ texts can prod patients to take drugs, but questions linger By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News A spoonful of sugar may make the medicine go down, but that’s hardly useful if a patient doesn’t remember to take it in the first place. Continue reading
Jan 25 Some cost-conscious employers exclude outpatient surgeries in health plans By Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News Libbi Stovall couldn’t believe it last month when she looked at the fine print in her company’s 2016 health plan. The insurance paid for inpatient hospital care, office visits and diagnostic imaging. But it provided no coverage for outpatient surgery,… Continue reading
Jan 15 Uninsured rate of Hispanic children hits record low, study finds By Lisa Gillespie, Kaiser Health News The rate of Hispanic children without health insurance fell to a historic low in 2014, the first year that key parts of Obamacare took effect, but they still represent a disproportionate share of the nation’s uninsured youth, according to a… Continue reading
Jan 15 Heroin addiction is rare among painkiller abusers, study says By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News A new review article published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine provides insights for policymakers on how to curb this deadly trend of prescription painkiller abuse… Continue reading
Dec 24 Ending HIV may hinge on erasing economic disparities By Barbara Feder Ostrov, Kaiser Health News While life expectancies are approaching the national norm among white, affluent gay men, about 66 percent of the 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States are not in treatment. Continue reading
Dec 21 Report: Home care workers need better job protections By Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News A lack of oversight in the rapidly growing home care workforce could undermine new wage and labor gains for many of the nation’s 2 million workers, according to a report released Monday. Continue reading
Dec 21 Why health plans’ drug coverage can be confusing for consumers By Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News Patients getting chemotherapy or other complex medications may have a sudden panic when shopping for health insurance: Their drugs often don’t appear to be covered. Continue reading
Dec 14 California to increase addiction treatment for Medicaid recipients By Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News California is overhauling its substance abuse treatment system for low-income people, embarking on a massive experiment to create a smoother path for addicts from detox through recovery. Continue reading
Nov 26 Fewer plans, less choice for low-income seniors shopping Medicare drug coverage By Susan Jaffe, Kaiser Health News Next year, a premium increase may mean some low-income Medicare drug beneficiaries must pay a larger share for their medicine. Continue reading
Nov 11 New exam will require med students learn about veterans’ health By Julie Rovner, KFF Health News Most former servicemen and women (and their families) get their health care at civilian facilities, where only rarely do health professionals ask patients if they or close relatives have a military background. However, going forward, the exam every medical student… Continue reading