Category: Kaiser Health News

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.

Trump Zeroes In On Surprise Medical Bills In White House Chat With Patients, Experts

Patients and doctors got a chance to share their nightmarish experiences with medical bills with President Donald Trump and other top White House officials.

Alcohol-Linked Disease Overtakes Hep C As Top Reason For Liver Transplant

New research suggests that attitudes toward liver transplant candidates who have a history of alcohol abuse are softening.

County By County, Researchers Link Opioid Deaths To Drugmakers’ Marketing

A JAMA study looking at county-specific federal data finds that the more opioid-related marketing dollars spent in a county, the higher rates of doctors who prescribed those drugs, and ultimately, more overdose deaths.

Pain From The Government Shutdown Spreads. This Time It’s Food Stamps

Food stamps for February are being distributed about two weeks early because officials say the federal money to pay for them won’t be available later due to the government shutdown. State and local officials are scratching their heads about what might happen in March if the impasse continues.

Furloughed Feds’ Health Coverage Intact, But Shutdown Still Complicates Things

Some federal employees face insurance paperwork glitches that affect their health coverage and add pressure to the stress of going without pay.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Drug Prices Are Rising Again. Is Someone Going To Do Something About It?

As drugmakers hike prices, interest to rein them in grows on Capitol Hill. Next week marks the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court’s abortion decision, and both the House, whose leaders back abortion rights, and the Senate, controlled by abortion foes, are holding statement votes. And the government shutdown is still affecting health programs. Joanne Kenen of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Alice Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues.

Why Older Adults Should Eat More Protein (And Not Overdo Protein Shakes)

Whether because of illness or inactivity, many seniors need to up their protein game to maintain strength and mobility.

The Electronics Industry Sees Money In Your Health

Although many device makers at the annual Consumer Electronics Show targeted real health issues, some are looking to solve problems that people didn’t realize needed solving.

Call The Midwife! (If The Doctor Doesn’t Object)

Hospitals and medical practices are battling outdated stereotypes and sometimes their own doctors to hire certified nurse midwives. Research shows that women cared for by certified nurse midwives have fewer cesarean sections, which can produce significant cost savings for hospitals.