Jul 30 Why the anti-HIV pill is a hard sell to the Latino community By Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News In California, New York, Texas and elsewhere, health workers are trying to get more high-risk Latino men to use the drug, Truvada. The medication, which is used for “Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis” or PrEP, was approved by the FDA in 2012 for… Continue reading
Jul 29 Hospitals look to laborists to fill gaps left by on-call obstetricians By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News Despite concerns about turning obstetrics into “shift” work similar to emergency physicians, the trend of employing laborists, hospitalists who handle births and obstetrical and gynecological emergencies, is growing as hospitals seek to improve patient safety and physicians increasingly recognize they… Continue reading
Jul 17 How much does it cost to have a baby? By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Which hospital parents pick to deliver their baby can have serious cost consequences, according to a new study. Continue reading
Jul 16 Home Health Agencies Get Medicare’s Star Treatment By Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News The federal government released on Thursday a new five-star rating system for home health agencies, hoping to bring clarity to a fast-growing but fragmented corner of the medical industry where it’s often difficult to distinguish good from bad. Continue reading
Jul 07 Under health law, women save hundreds each year on birth control, study finds By Julie Rovner, KFF Health News Women are saving a lot of money as a result of a health law requirement that insurance cover most forms of prescription contraceptives with no additional out-of-pocket costs, according to a study released Tuesday. But the amount of those savings… Continue reading
Jul 06 At least 7 states limit patient costs for high-priced drugs By Michael Ollove, Stateline As more expensive specialty drugs come on the market to treat some of the most serious chronic diseases, more states are stepping in to cushion the financial pain for patients who need medicine that can cost up to hundreds of… Continue reading
Jun 25 Having survived court ruling, what’s next challenge for health insurance markets? By Jordan Rau, Kaiser Health News Despite having survived a challenge in the U.S. Supreme Court, the federal government’s health insurance markets face weighty struggles as they try to keep prices under control, entice more consumers and encourage quality medical care. Continue reading
Jun 16 Health insurance still not covering labor and delivery for some women By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Having a baby is a common women’s health event, yet insurance coverage isn’t always assured. Continue reading
Jun 02 For many patients, delirium is a surprising side effect of being in the hospital By Sandra G. Boodman, Kaiser Health News When B. Paul Turpin was admitted to a Tennessee hospital in January, the biggest concern was whether the 69-year-old endocrinologist would survive. But as he battled a life-threatening infection, Turpin developed terrifying hallucinations, including one in which he was performing… Continue reading
May 01 Watch 6:31 Rural Indiana struggles with drug-fueled HIV epidemic By Jason Kane and Sarah Varney, Kaiser Health News A rural region of Indiana has become the center of the state's worst-ever HIV epidemic. For the first time, that state's legislature passed a bill this week allowing drug users in high-risk areas to trade used needles for clean ones. Continue watching