Phil Galewitz

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pgalewitz@kff.org

Hospitals Ask Congress to Delay ACA Medicaid Funding Cuts — For the 14th Time

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Congress has until October to avert cuts to a Medicaid program intended to support safety-net hospitals that, in practice, improves the bottom lines of other hospitals, too. Hospital leaders say now is not a good time for the cuts — which lawmakers have so far postponed 13 times.

Got Milk in School? Farmers Fight Health Advocates Over the Creamy ‘Whole’ Variety

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

It has been over a decade since whole milk was served in schools through the National School Lunch Program, after U.S. government dietary guidance effectively banned it. But dairy farmers, some health experts, and members of Congress say it’s time to bring it back.

How a 2019 Florida Law Catalyzed a Hospital-Building Boom

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

In Wesley Chapel, Fla., near Tampa, residents will soon have three general hospitals within a five-minute drive. The new construction is part of a hospital-building boom across Florida unleashed almost four years ago, when the state dropped a requirement that companies obtain government approval to open new hospitals.

Obamacare at 13: Biden and a KHN Reporter Remember

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

The White House gathered the people who helped pass the Affordable Care Act 13 years ago — partly to congratulate themselves but also to emphasize that they still have much work to do to make health care affordable.

Planes de salud de Medicaid intentan proteger a sus miembros… y a sus ganancias

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Estos planes, muchos administrados por titanes de los seguros, incluidos UnitedHealthcare, Centene y Aetna, han visto aumentar sus ingresos en miles de millones a medida que su membresía aumentaba en millones.

Medicaid Health Plans Try to Protect Members — And Profits — During Unwinding

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

States are turning to the big health insurance companies to keep Medicaid enrollees insured once pandemic protections end in April. The insurers’ motive: profits.

Envíos ilegales de medicamentos por correo no son de opioides. Muchos contienen Viagra genérico

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Los funcionarios de la FDA afirman que los medicamentos comprados en farmacias extranjeras tienen 10 veces más probabilidades de ser falsificados que los vendidos en Estados Unidos.

Despite Pharma Claims, Illicit Drug Shipments to US Aren’t Full of Opioids. It’s Generic Viagra.

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

The FDA has long blocked the importation of cheap medicine, agreeing with pharmaceutical manufacturers that it opens the door to opioids. The agency’s own data shows that rarely happens.

After Staying Away During Pandemic, Doctors Return to Lobby Congress

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Hundreds of physicians came to Washington this week to lobby Congress about their “recovery plan†for physicians, which includes a Medicare pay boost and an end to some frustrating insurance company requirements.

Millones en riesgo de perder Medicaid, mientras terminan protecciones por la pandemia

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Los estados se están preparando para remover a millones de personas de Medicaid, a medida que expiran las protecciones que se implementaron al comienzo de la pandemia de covid-19.

As Pandemic-Era Medicaid Provisions Lapse, Millions Approach a Coverage Cliff

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

States are trying to reach millions of Medicaid enrollees to make sure those still eligible remain covered and help others find new health insurance.

After Tuition, Books, and Room and Board, Colleges’ Rising Health Fees Hit a Nerve

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Many colleges require students to have health insurance coverage, and the college option can be costly. In addition, some schools mandate that students pay a fee to cover health services on campus.

Estados desafían a Biden a que baje precios de medicamentos permitiendo importaciones desde Canadá

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

En Estados Unidos se pagan unos de los precios más altos del mundo por los productos farmacéuticos de marca. Los medicamentos son generalmente menos caros en el vecino Canadá, donde el gobierno controla los precios.

States Challenge Biden to Lower Drug Prices by Allowing Imports From Canada

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Colorado has joined Florida, New Hampshire, and New Mexico in seeking federal permission to import prescription drugs from Canada. President Joe Biden endorsed the approach in his 2020 campaign but has yet to approve any state plan.

Cuando hay mala praxis en centros de salud comunitarios, pagan los contribuyentes

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Los 1,375 centros de salud financiados con dinero federal, que atienden a 30 millones de estadounidenses de bajos ingresos, son en su mayoría organizaciones privadas. Sin embargo, reciben $6,000 millones anuales en subvenciones federales y, según la ley federal, sus responsabilidades legales están cubiertas por el gobierno

When Malpractice Occurs at Community Health Centers, Taxpayers Pay

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Federally funded clinics and their doctors are protected against lawsuits by federal law, with taxpayers footing the bill. The health centers say that allows them to better serve their low-income patients, but lawyers say the system handcuffs consumers with a cumbersome legal process and makes it harder for the public to see problems.

Cómo el optimismo puede cerrar la brecha de cobertura de Medicaid

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Más de 2 millones de personas de bajos ingresos, la mitad de ellos en Florida y Texas, no tienen seguro porque están atrapados en una brecha de cobertura. Y sus estados no han expandido Medicaid.

How Optimism Can Close the Medicaid Coverage Gap

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Low-income residents in states that haven’t expanded Medicaid are in a tough spot: They don’t qualify for the subsidies that people with slightly higher incomes get to buy marketplace plans because of a glitch in the federal health law. But a court decision last year makes it easier for them to make good-faith estimates of a pay increase, and there is no financial penalty if they don’t hit that figure.

Por qué algunos estados quieren garantizar Medicaid para los niños desde que nacen hasta los 6 años

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

La posibilidad de inscribir a los niños en Medicaid, desde que nacen hasta los 6 años, de manera continua y sin papeleo, ayudaría, entre otras cosas, a prevenir las brechas de cobertura.

Stopping the Churn: Why Some States Want to Guarantee Medicaid Coverage From Birth to Age 6

Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½Ò•îl Health News Original

Oregon has become the first state to allow kids to stay in the government health care program from birth to age 6, no matter if their household income changes. California, Washington, and New Mexico are pursuing similar policies.