Dec 02 EEOC takes aim at wellness programs increasingly offered by employers By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Do it or else. Increasingly, that’s the approach taken by employers who are offering financial incentives for workers to take part in wellness programs that incorporate screenings that measure blood pressure, cholesterol and body mass index, among other things. Continue reading
Nov 24 Is the U.S. really facing a serious doctor shortage? By Julie Rovner, KFF Health News Many medical groups, led by the Association of American Medical Colleges, say there’s little doubt. “We think the shortage is going to be close to 130,000 in the next 10 to 12 years,” says Atul Grover, the group’s chief public… Continue reading
Nov 17 Healthcare.gov is back for open enrollment. How’s it doing? By Phil Galewitz, Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News “The vast majority of people coming to the site were able to get on and do what they were intending to do,” Health and Human Services Secretary Sylva Burwell said Sunday on NBC’s Meet The Press, adding that 500,000 people… Continue reading
Nov 07 Obamacare helps reduce dangerous premature births in 27 states By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Going forward, other health law provisions will likely contribute to further reductions in preterm births, defined as live births at less than 37 full weeks, women’s health advocates suggest. Continue reading
Oct 16 People don’t understand how Ebola is transmitted, new survey says By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News A new survey finds the public has a lot to learn about how the Ebola virus is transmitted, which could help explain the growing fears of the disease. Continue reading
Oct 06 Year two enrollment poses big challenge for health care marketplaces By Julie Appleby and Anna Gorman, Kaiser Health News The second round of enrollment under the nation's Affordable Care Act promises to be tougher than the first. Many of those eager to get covered already did, including those with health conditions that had prevented them from getting insurance in… Continue reading
Oct 03 California passes law to require paid sick leave as legislation lingers in DC By Michelle Andrews, Kaiser Health News Nearly 4 in 10 private sector workers lack paid sick leave, and low-wage workers make up a disproportionate share. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2014 National Compensation Survey, only 30 percent of the workers whose earnings are in… Continue reading
Sep 24 Language presents barriers for some Asian-Americans who enroll in ACA By Shefali Luthra, Kaiser Health News Language and cultural issues, along with immigration concerns, could still pose major barriers to enrolling Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in health insurance plans this fall, according to a report released Wednesday by Action for Health Justice, an advocacy… Continue reading
Sep 03 First-time health care enrollees often don’t understand how coverage works By Marissa Evans, Kaiser Health News Even after signing up for insurance through the Affordable Care Act, advocates find that explaining to clients that they will still have to pay out of their own pockets each time they go to the doctor or get lab tests… Continue reading
Aug 04 Are health care costs skyrocketing, or not? It depends on who you ask By Jay Hancock, Kaiser Health News Analysts who fear health spending is accelerating got plenty of evidence in Wall Street's second-quarter results to support their thesis. But so did folks who hope spending is still under control. Now everybody's trying to sort out the mixed message. Continue reading