Missouri Takes Months to Process Medicaid Applications — Longer Than Law Allows
By Bram Sable-Smith and Phil Galewitz
Missouri has more people waiting to have their Medicaid applications processed than it has approved since the expansion of the federal-state health insurance program. Although most states process Medicaid applications within a week, Missouri is taking, on average, more than two months. Patient advocates fear that means people will stay uninsured longer, leading them to postpone care or get stuck with high medical bills.
Why Millions on Medicaid Are at Risk of Losing Coverage in the Months Ahead
By Rachana Pradhan
State Medicaid agencies for months have been preparing for the end of a federal mandate that has prevented states from removing people from the safety-net program during the pandemic.
‘Are You Going to Keep Me Safe?’ Hospital Workers Sound Alarm on Rising Violence
By Bram Sable-Smith and Andy Miller
Health care workers already bore the brunt of workplace violence in the U.S. Now, tensions from an exhausting pandemic are spilling over into hospitals.
Pandemic Upends The Lives Of People With Disabilities — And Of Their Caregivers
By Bram Sable-Smith, Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin already faced a shortage of caregivers who offer crucial health services and independence to their clients. Then the pandemic struck. In a survey of nearly 500 Wisconsinites with disabilities and older adults, every respondent said the pandemic had disrupted their caregiving service.
KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Impeachment And The Health Agenda
Washington is abuzz with impeachment talk, but what impact would such a move have on congressional action on prescription drug prices and surprise bills? Also, a study out this week shows that health insurance costs for both employers and workers continue to rise. This week, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Paige Winfield Cunningham of The Washington Post and Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
‘You’ve Been Served’: Wisconsin Hospitals Sued Patients Even During Pandemic
By Bram Sable-Smith, Wisconsin Public Radio
Wisconsin hospitals had filed at least 104 lawsuits in small claims court since the state declared a public health emergency March 12. Most now say they are suspending the cases; one hospital has dismissed them after a reporter’s calls.
No es solo insulina: pacientes con diabetes luchan por obtener suministros cruciales
By Bram Sable-Smith
Activistas y legisladores se han centrado en el aumento del precio de la insulina, pero controlar la afección requiere de otros suministros médicos que a menudo son difíciles de conseguir.
It’s Not Just Insulin: Diabetes Patients Struggle To Get Crucial Supplies
By Bram Sable-Smith
The latest technology makes managing Type 1 diabetes much easier. But managing insurance company rules for the supplies is a big obstacle for some patients.
Mini-Biographies Help Clinicians Connect With Patients
By Bram Sable-Smith
Some Veterans Affairs hospitals around the country use writers to record patients’ life stories, then place a short biography in each vet’s medical record. The My Life, My Story program gives clinicians another way to get to know their patients.
Family Doctors In Rural America Tackle Crisis Of Addiction And Pain
By Bram Sable-Smith, Wisconsin Public Radio
For rural physicians, the burden of responding to the opioid epidemic falls squarely on their already loaded shoulders. For one doctor in a small Wisconsin village, there was no question that she wanted to rise to the challenge.