Barbara Feder Ostrov

Barbara Feder Ostrov was a senior correspondent for KFF Health News until 2020.

@barbfederostrov

Breathing Fire: Health Is A Casualty Of Climate-Fueled Blazes

As the planet warms, wildfires such as the latest disastrous blazes in Northern California have increased in frequency and scope. Beyond the environmental effects, people suffer health repercussions that can be disabling and even deadly.

Federal Audit Gives California Poor Marks On Monitoring The Welfare Of Foster Children

The report says state officials failed to follow up properly or promptly on complaints of neglect and sexual abuse. But changes are underway, it says, and one child welfare advocate says she’s already seen a “significant turnaround.”

Largest Assisted Living Chain In U.S. Sued For Poor Care Of Elderly

A class-action complaint filed in a federal court in Northern California alleges that insufficient staffing and poor worker training has had “devastating” consequences for residents in the assisted living homes of Tennessee-based Brookdale Senior Living.

Con el fin de DACA, jóvenes inmigrantes temen por su salud

La polémica decisión de la administración Trump de eliminar el programa DACA hace más que poner a casi 800.000 “dreamers” bajo el miedo a la deportación. Amenaza el cuidado de salud de miles de adultos jóvenes.

Move To End DACA Leaves Some Young Immigrants Fearing For Their Health

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program made it possible for young adults who came into the country illegally as children to get jobs with insurance and, in some states including California, Medicaid. Now that coverage is in peril.   

Why Blue States Might Ditch Beloved Obamacare Protections

With limited federal subsidies under the GOP health care bill, experts say states like California and New York would be under pressure to cut costs. That could mean shrinking benefits and dropping the prohibition against charging sicker patients higher premiums.