Category: Kaiser Health News

Readers and Tweeters Shed Light on Vaccine Trials and Bias in Health Care

Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.

Savvy Patient Fought for the Price She Was Quoted − And Didn’t Give Up

A California woman thought the discount on her coinsurance before an operation sounded too good to be true. Turns out, she was right.

‘No Mercy’ Chapter 5: In Rural America, Cancer Care Is Often Far From Home

The hunt for good cancer treatment often means miles on the road, time spent waiting and exhaustion from treatment and transit. “The further you have to travel to get care, the less likely that you are going to take that effort to do that,” said Boban Mathew, an oncologist in southeastern Kansas.

Telemedicine or In-Person Visit? Pros and Cons

The volume of virtual medical appointments has exploded during the pandemic as patients and doctors have sought to avoid infection through in-person visits.

For People With Visual Impairments, Truly Secret Ballots Are Elusive

Voters in several states who live with visual impairments must rely on family and friends to fill out their mail-in or absentee paper ballots, compromising their privacy. More states are relying on mail-in and absentee voting to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If Trump Wins, Don’t Hold Your Breath Waiting for That ACA Replacement Plan

The administration seeks to have the Supreme Court overturn the federal health law but has not explained how it would ensure Americans’ health care coverage.

Verily’s COVID Testing Program Halted in San Francisco and Oakland

Health officials in San Francisco and Alameda counties have cut ties with Verily’s state-funded COVID testing sites amid concerns about data collection and privacy.

North Carolina Treasurer Took On the Hospitals. Now He’s Paying Political Price.

The state hospital association has endorsed Dale Folwell’s opponent after the treasurer sought to force them to accept lower reimbursements from the state employees’ health plan.

Florida Fails to Attract Bidders for Canada Drug Importation Program

No private firms bid on the $30 million contract to set up and operate the state’s plan to bring in cheaper drugs. The setback is likely to delay by at least several months Florida’s effort to become the first state to import drugs under new federal regulations.

Colorado Initiative Would Further Limit Access in Middle America’s ‘Abortion Desert’

Colorado voters will decide whether to ban most abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, which would eliminate a haven for people seeking to end their pregnancies in the Midwest and Mountain West.