California’s $25 Health Care Hourly Wage Relies on Federal Boost, State Worker Exemption
By Don Thompson
California’s nation-leading $25 minimum wage for health workers relies on a significant boost in federal funding. It also leaves out thousands of state employees under an agreement that is expected to win approval from state lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom in the coming days.
Therapists Learn How To Help Farmers Cope With Stress Before It’s Too Late
By Tony Leys
Many farmers have traditionally handled their own problems, whether it’s a busted tractor or debilitating anxiety. “With the older generation, it’s still, ‘Suck it up and get over it,’” says an Iowa mental health advocate and farmer.
US Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence ‘a Public Health Crisis’
By Rachana Pradhan and Fred Clasen-Kelly
Gun violence is the No. 1 cause of death for children and teens in America. Vivek Murthy says the toll extends beyond deaths, as survivors deal with “a lifetime of physical and mental health impacts” and those who witness shootings become traumatized.
An Arm and a Leg: Meet the Middleman’s Middleman
By Dan Weissmann
Why are patients facing bigger bills than they expect for out-of-network care? In this episode of “An Arm and a Leg,” the show explains the hidden mechanics of MultiPlan, a data firm that helps health insurers set these rates and make bigger returns.
Daily Edition for Monday, June 24, 2024
Health Care Workers Likely Won’t Get Raises This Summer: Democrats in the California Legislature have agreed to delay a minimum wage increase for about 426,000 health care workers to help balance the state’s budget. If approved by the Legislature, they could get the raise Oct. 15. Read more from AP.
Jóvenes latinos gay ven un porcentaje cada vez mayor de nuevos casos de VIH; piden financiación específica
By Vanessa G. Sánchez and Devna Bose, The Associated Press and Phillip Reese
Un análisis de KFF Health News-Associated Press halló que los hombres latinos homosexuales y bisexuales representan una proporción cada vez mayor de nuevos diagnósticos e infecciones, lo que demuestra que los están dejando atrás en la lucha contra el VIH.
Young Gay Latinos See Rising Share of New HIV Cases, Leading to Call for Targeted Funding
By Vanessa G. Sánchez and Devna Bose, The Associated Press and Phillip Reese
Since being diagnosed with HIV in 2022, Fernando Hermida has had to move three times to access treatment. A KFF Health News-Associated Press analysis found gay and bisexual Latino men account for a fast-growing proportion of new diagnoses and infections, showing they are falling behind in the fight against HIV.
Medicaid for Millions in America Hinges on Deloitte-Run Systems Plagued by Errors
By Rachana Pradhan and Samantha Liss
The technology has generated notices with errors, sent Medicaid paperwork to the wrong addresses, and been frozen for hours at a time, according to state audits, court documents, and interviews. While it can take months to fix problems, America’s poorest residents pay the price.
It’s Called an Urgent Care Emergency Center — But Which Is It?
By Renuka Rayasam
Suffering stomach pain, a Dallas man visited his local urgent care clinic — or so he thought, until he got a bill 10 times what he’d expected.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Live From Aspen: Health and the 2024 Elections
Health policy may not be the top issue in this year’s presidential and congressional elections, but it’s likely to play a key role. President Joe Biden and Democrats intend to hold Republicans responsible for the Supreme Court’s unpopular ruling overturning the right to abortion, and former President Donald Trump aims to take credit for government efforts to lower prescription drug prices — even in cases in which he played no role. Meanwhile, some critical health care issues, such as those involving Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, are unlikely to get discussed much, even though the party in power after the elections would control the future of those programs. This week, in an episode taped before a live audience at the Aspen Ideas: Health festival in Aspen, Colorado, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Sandhya Raman of CQ Roll Call join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
