Category: Health Care Costs

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Spooky Stuff

If it’s Halloween, that means open enrollment for plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges is right around the corner. Prices are down this year, but the future of the health law remains in doubt due to a lawsuit seeking to have the entire measure thrown out. This week, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, the panelists read the top entries in KHN’s Halloween Health Haiku Contest.

Grief Grew Into A Mental Health Crisis And A $21,634 Hospital Bill

She spent five days in the hospital undergoing psychiatric care. The bill she got is about the same price as a new Honda Civic.

Compression Garments Can Ease Lymphedema. Covering Costs? Not So Easy.

Private insurance plans vary in coverage for compression garments, and some fall short of meeting patients’ needs. Although Medicaid programs cover some of these expenses, Medicare does not.

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.

Sen. Grassley Questions UVA Health On Findings From KHN Investigation

A letter from the Senate Finance Committee Chairman questions the University of Virginia Health System about its financial assistance policies, billing practices and its prices.

Sen. Grassley Questions UVA Health On Findings From KHN Investigation

A letter from the Senate Finance Committee Chairman questions the University of Virginia Health System about its financial assistance policies, billing practices and its prices.

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Democrats Do Drugs (Prices)

House Democrats start legislative work on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s prescription drug pricing bill; health is again a featured player in the Democratic presidential candidate debate; and courts around the country hold up President Donald Trump’s health agenda. This week, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Tami Luhby of CNN, and Joanne Kenen of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Plus, for “extra credit,” the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.

Surprise Settlement In Sutter Health Antitrust Case

Sutter Health has reached a tentative settlement in an antitrust suit brought by the California Attorney General’s Office. Details have not been made public.

Health Care Stayed Front And Center At Democratic Debate

The topic, which polls show is top of mind among voters, kept returning throughout the fourth debate of Democratic presidential candidates.

Think ‘Medicare For All’ Is The Only Democratic Health Plan? Think Again

The Democratic presidential candidates have hit hard on health care, but generally the debates have centered on what kind of system candidates propose. The candidates’ ideas on many other issues, such as mental health and gun safety, have attracted much less attention.