Category: Kaiser Health News

Analysis: Necessary or Not, Covid Booster Shots Are Probably on the Horizon

In today’s pharmaceutical universe, a simple “safe and effective” determination by the Food and Drug Administration to approve a drug can be manipulated to sell products of questionable value. And drugmakers can profit handsomely,

The Delta Variant Thrives in a State of Political and Public Health Discord

At the center of the nation’s delta variant outbreak, public health efforts are mired in a political turf war.

Sen. Wyden: $3.5T Budget May Have to Trim but It Can Set a Path to ‘Ambitious Goals’

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who is helping to negotiate the health care spending framework for the Democrats’ budget plan, said lawmakers may have to settle for very basic versions of programs deployed in the package. But the key, he added, is to get the “architecture of these changes, bold changes,” started and show people what is possible.

California Makes It Easier for Low-Income Residents to Get and Keep Free Health Coverage

State lawmakers aim to expand Medicaid enrollment by dedicating billions of dollars in coming years to simplifying paperwork, extending pregnancy coverage and opening the program to thousands of new enrollees, including older unauthorized immigrants and people who need nursing home care.

With a Diagnosis at Last, Black Women with ADHD Start Healing

Black women and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often remain undiagnosed because their symptoms are mischaracterized by the blinders of sexism and racism. Getting treatment and finding the right medication can be even more difficult because they aren’t taken seriously or, worse, they’re racially profiled while getting their medicines.

With a Diagnosis at Last, Black Women with ADHD Start Healing

Black women and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often remain undiagnosed because their symptoms are mischaracterized by the blinders of sexism and racism. Getting treatment and finding the right medication can be even more difficult because they aren’t taken seriously or, worse, they’re racially profiled while getting their medicines.

Biden’s July Executive Order Includes Drug Pricing Provisions. But Will They Do Enough?

The July 9 directive addresses the importation of prescription drugs and broader efforts to reduce the high cost of medicines.

Grab Your Mask and Notepad, We’re Headed Back to California’s State Capitol

After being mostly closed to the public and the press for more than a year, California’s state Capitol is open again — masks, temperature checks, covid outbreaks and all.

Novavax’s Effort to Vaccinate the World, From Zero to Not Quite Warp Speed

Novavax is a vaccine company that, despite $2 billion in new federal and international funding, still hasn’t come through with a licensed covid vaccine. It hopes it can still help to fight the global covid scourge, but will it deliver?

Hospital ‘Trauma Centers’ Charge Enormous Fees to Treat Minor Injuries and Send People Home

Only severely injured patients are supposed to be billed for “trauma team alert” fees that can exceed $50,000.