The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
Experts say aid from certain veterinary labs could relieve some of the pressure on commercial and hospital-based labs to lessen the current delays in COVID-19 testing and results, but it is unlikely to be a game changer.
Gov. Steve Bullockās response to the pandemic has helped raise his profile as he challenges incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines. But it also complicates the campaign as the state sees a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and voters question some of the governorās actions.
Health plans offered through Covered California, the health insurance exchange, will increase premiums by a statewide average of 0.6% next year. Health insurers reported strong profits in the second quarter of 2020 as their expenses plunged because of fewer surgeries and patient visits for non-COVID treatment.
The disease intervention specialist at the Prince Georgeās County Health Department was among at least 20 department employees infected by the coronavirus, union officials say. The outbreak underscores the stark dangers facing the nationās front-line public health army.
Kaiser Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
Philadelphia is in the ārestricted greenā reopening phase. What does that mean? And why does the U.S. have so many different pandemic safety rules?Ā
KHNās Julie Rovner joins āSCOTUStalkā podcast host Amy Howe to examine the justicesā upcoming review of the Affordable Care Act. The latest challenge to the health law by Republican state officials is expected to be heard by the court in the fall, perhaps even on Election Day.
Richard Costigan, a well-respected fixture in state Capitol circles, has detailed his familyās ongoing experiences with COVID-19 on social media after catching the virus ā he surmises ā at a backyard gathering. The former Schwarzenegger aide wants people to know this virus doesnāt care who you are.
NPR’s Ailsa Chang speaks with Jay Hancock of KHN about an investigation into the use of so-called less-lethal munitions ā such as rubber bullets and bean bags ā at protests, and why theyāve never been regulated.
Virginia Mason Health System and CHI Franciscan announced plans in July to merge 12 hospitals and more than 250 other treatment sites in the Puget Sound region and the Yakima area. Some patient advocacy groups warn the proposal would jeopardize access to needed services, such as emergency termination of pregnancies, contraception and physician aid in dying.
Experts say folks 60 and up must continue to limit exposure in the years to come ā even after there is a vaccine for COVID-19.
Sports events ā with their sprays of sweat and spit, not to mention large crowds ā are ideal settings for the coronavirus to spread. Although some college leagues have canceled their fall seasons, schools with big athletic programs are still hoping for a partial return to the gridiron and the hardwood.
Teams are starting to test vaccines using messenger RNA or chimpanzee cold viruses to inoculate humans. Will their benefits last?
Americans are avoiding hospitals and clinics by the millions, even when they shouldnāt, and many experts expect a jump in preventable disease diagnoses after the COVID crisis eases. Paradoxically, the pandemic may have been good for some heart patients, however.
Early in the pandemic, insurers expected the costs of treating COVID-19 would vastly increase medical spending. Instead, non-COVID care has plummeted and insurers have pocketed the result. Still, few industry observers are predicting broad-based premium cuts in 2021, though some health plans have proposed lowering their rates.
This statement is taken from a video in which a group of doctors air unproven conspiracy theories about the coronavirus. Dr. Immanuel’s claims were among the most inaccurate. And, before it was removed from social media platforms, thee video was viewed millions of times. President Donald Trump retweeted it.
President Donald Trumpās sobering view of COVID-19 didnāt last long ā this week, he was back to pushing hydroxychloroquine, a drug that has been shown not to work in treating the virus. Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill are still scrambling to agree among themselves and with the White House on the next coronavirus relief bill, as both a moratorium on evictions and extra unemployment payments expire. And the debate over drug prices, which was going to be one of the biggest health issues of this election year, makes a brief appearance. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Mary Ellen McIntire of CQ Roll Call and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News join KHNās Julie Rovner to discuss this and more. Also, Rovner interviews KHNās Markian Hawryluk, who wrote the latest KHN-NPR āBill of the Monthā story about a surprise bill from a surprise surgical assistant.
Weāre releasing our public health infrastructure data on Github for journalists, researchers and interested readers to use.
Around the country, Medicaid enrollment is up as people who have lost jobs during the pandemic seek health insurance. Expanding eligibility for Missouriās program, which could help thousands of recently unemployed residents, will be on the ballot Tuesday.
Will Lightbourne, the new director of the California Department of Health Care Services, says government must address the racial disparities laid bare by COVID-19 and improve care for the stateās most vulnerable residents.
