Category: Kaiser Health News

As U.S. Suicides Rates Rise, Hispanics Show Relative Immunity

Support from family and community appear to shield Latinos from rising suicide rates, researchers say.

Hidden Drugs And Danger Lurk In Over-The-Counter Supplements, Study Finds

Dieters and gym rats, beware. Some dietary supplements promising weight loss or more muscle may contain active ingredients not listed on the label that fly under the radar of the Food and Drug Administration. The California Department of Public Health analyzed public data maintained by the FDA to suss out trends among tainted products, raising red flags.

Dementia And Guns: When Should Doctors Broach The Topic?

As the number of Americans with dementia rises, health professionals grapple with how to talk to patients about gun safety at home.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Falling Premiums And Rising Political Tensions

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News and Julie Appleby of Kaiser Health News discuss the Trump administration’s announcement that average premium prices are falling on the Obamacare marketplaces, the effort by Senate Democrats to reverse rules on short-term health insurance and the focus on protections for people with preexisting conditions in the run-up to midterm elections.

Fact-Check: Who’s Right On Protections For Preexisting Conditions? It’s Complicated

Consumers favor ACA’s safeguards on the promise that patients who have health problems can get insurance. In the heat of the midterm campaigns, politicians in both parties agree, but their arguments don’t always add up.

Will Maine Voters Decide To Make Aging In Place Affordable?

A ballot initiative in Maine proposes that free home care services be available to all residents who need help with at least “one daily activity.”

Doctors Give Medicare’s Proposal To Pay For Telemedicine Poor Prognosis

Federal officials are proposing that Medicare pay doctors for a 10-minute “check-in” call with beneficiaries. But many doctors already do this for free, and the plan would require a cost-sharing charge of many patients.

No More Secrets: Congress Bans Pharmacist ‘Gag Orders’ On Drug Prices

Congress approved two bills last month that prohibit provisions keeping pharmacists from telling patients when they can save money by paying the cash price instead of the price negotiated by their insurance plan.

Spurred By Convenience, Millennials Often Spurn The ‘Family Doctor’ Model

These young adults are looking for medical care that is convenient, fast and offers cost transparency. They frequently seek treatment at retail clinics, urgent care centers or other options.

Black Market For Suboxone Gives Some A Glimpse Of Recovery

Addiction experts argue that buprenorphine, which drug users buy on the street, actually saves lives because it is used in place of more dangerous substances, like heroin and fentanyl.