Category: Kaiser Health News

Watch: In Emergencies, First Comes the Ambulance. Then Comes the Bill.

This installment of InvestigateTV and KFF Health News’ “Costly Care” series delves into the lack of cost protections for patients who find themselves on the hook for an emergency ground ambulance ride.

‘Dr. Google’ Meets Its Match: Dr. ChatGPT

With the rise of generative AI, people who once turned to “Dr. Google” to check on medical symptoms are now turning to chatbots. Researchers say the bots are often more accurate, but urge caution in the absence of any regulations.

CDC Faces Dilemma Over Recommending New Covid Booster for All

Chances are, if you aren’t older, chronically ill, or obese, you don’t need a forthcoming covid vaccine to stay out of the hospital. But it probably wouldn’t hurt.

A Father Dreamed of a Home for His Family. Medical Debt Nearly Pushed Them Onto the Streets.

As cities like Denver struggle to make homes more affordable, medical debt keeps housing out of reach for millions of Americans.

Montana State Officials Seek More Control Over Judicial Involuntary Commitments

Health department officials are asking legislators to change criminal commitment laws amid a bottleneck at the Montana State Hospital.

The Shrinking Number of Primary Care Physicians Is Reaching a Tipping Point

The declining share of U.S. doctors in adult primary care is about 25% — a point beyond which many Americans won’t be able to find a family doctor at all.

Heat-Related Deaths Are Up, and Not Just Because It’s Getting Hotter

Excessive heat contributed to 1,670 deaths nationwide last year, according to federal data — the highest rate in at least two decades. An increase in drug use and homelessness, along with hotter temperatures, were among the reasons.

In Move to Slash CDC Budget, House Republicans Target Major HIV Program Trump Launched

Republicans in Congress have proposed substantial cuts to the budget of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking aim at one of former President Donald Trump’s major health programs: a push to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.

KFF Health News’ ‘What the Health?’: Welcome Back, Congress. Now Get to Work. 

Congress returns from its summer recess with a long list of tasks and only a few work days to get them done. On top of the annual spending bills needed to keep the government operating, on the list are bills to renew the global HIV/AIDS program, PEPFAR, and the community health centers program. Meanwhile, over the recess, the Biden administration released the names of the first 10 drugs selected for the Medicare price negotiation program.

Hollywood’s A-List Health Insurance Is Jeopardized by the Labor Strikes

Hollywood actors and writers who qualify for their union health plans get a very good deal compared with other Americans. But not working during the strike threatens their eligibility in the system.