Category: Kaiser Health News

Congress Wades Into Emotional Debate Over High-Cost Prescription Drugs

Key House and Senate committees kick off hearings on drug prices, and patients’ families weigh in with tragic stories.

California Attorney General And Santa Clara County Face Off Over Sale Of Two Hospitals

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is trying to prevent Santa Clara County from buying two local nonprofit hospitals unless it pledges to maintain certain critical health care services. County officials warn the hospitals will close if the attorney general succeeds, leaving area residents with fewer health care choices.

Community Hospitals Link Arms With Prestigious Facilities To Raise Their Profiles

A growing number of community hospitals are forming alliances with some of the nation’s biggest and most prestigious institutions. But for prospective patients, it can be hard to assess what these relationships actually mean.

Community Hospitals Link Arms With Prestigious Facilities To Raise Their Profiles

A growing number of community hospitals are forming alliances with some of the nation’s biggest and most prestigious institutions. But for prospective patients, it can be hard to assess what these relationships actually mean.

Hope You’re Sitting Down: Hospital Charges $4,700 For A Fainting Spell

A 39-year-old man fainted after getting a flu shot at work, and a colleague called 911. He turned out to be fine, but the trip to the ER cost him his whole deductible.

Must-Reads Of The Week From Brianna Labuskes

Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health articles from the week so you don’t have to.

Drug-Pricing Policies Find New Momentum As ‘A 2020 Thing’

Emboldened by midterm election results and interest in possible presidential runs, Democrats are advancing a slew of new and old legislative proposals. It’s not yet clear, though, which if any could go the distance.

Drug-Pricing Policies Find New Momentum As ‘A 2020 Thing’

Emboldened by midterm election results and interest in possible presidential runs, Democrats are advancing a slew of new and old legislative proposals. It’s not yet clear, though, which if any could go the distance.

Postpartum Psychosis Is Real, Rare And Dangerous

Postpartum psychosis is rare but very real, doctors say. And, unlike in some countries, U.S. moms who need inpatient psychiatric care can’t bring along their babies, adding to the trauma.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ ‘Medicare-For-All’? More? Some?

“Medicare-for-all” has become the rallying cry for Democrats in the new Congress. But there is a long list of other ways to increase insurance coverage. Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to chip away at the Medicaid program for the poor, and new rules could mean higher costs for individual health insurance in 2020. Alice Ollstein of Politico, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal and Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and, for “extra credit,” provide their favorite health policy stories of the week.