‘I Am Just Waiting to Die’: Social Security Clawbacks Drive Some Into Homelessness
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
The Social Security Administration is reclaiming billions of dollars in alleged overpayments from some of the nation’s poorest and most vulnerable, leaving some people homeless or struggling to stay in housing, beneficiaries and advocates say.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Gun laws, social media addiction lawsuit, health worker shortages, medical device safety, Medi-Cal, housing, and more are in the news.
When a Quick Telehealth Visit Yields Multiple Surprises Beyond a Big Bill
By Darius Tahir
For the patient, it was a quick and inexpensive virtual appointment. Why it cost 10 times what she expected became a mystery.
Patients Facing Death Are Opting for a Lifesaving Heart Device — But at What Risk?
By Daniel Chang and Holly K. Hacker
The HeartMate 3 is considered the safest mechanical heart pump of its kind, but a federal database contains more than 4,500 reports in which the medical device may have caused or contributed to a patient’s death.
Social Security Chief Apologizes to Congress for Misleading Testimony on Overpayments
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi sent the letter days after KFF Health News and Cox Media Group reported that the agency has been demanding money back from more than twice as many people as she’d disclosed in October testimony.
Daily Edition for Monday, December 18, 2023
Doula benefit, covid cases and hospitalizations, mental health reform, ketamine clinics, pharmaceuticals, and more are in the news.
Hongos misteriosos son el centro de brote de intoxicación alimentaria
By Keely Larson
Según el Código Alimentario de la FDA, la gran mayoría de las más de 5,000 especies de hongos carnosos que crecen naturalmente en América del Norte no han sido sometidas a pruebas de toxicidad.
New Doula Benefit ‘Life-Changing’ for California Mom
By Molly Castle Work
Doulas, independent workers who act as advocates for birthing parents, have been shown to help prevent pregnancy complications and improve the health of both mothers and babies. California’s Medicaid program started covering their services this year, but some doulas say bureaucratic obstacles and inadequate pay prevent their effective use.
Mysterious Morel Mushrooms at Center of Food Poisoning Outbreak
By Keely Larson
Federal officials issued their first guidelines on preparing morel mushrooms after a deadly food poisoning outbreak in Montana, noting the toxins in the delicacy aren’t fully understood.
A partir del 1 de enero, todos los inmigrantes en California pueden calificar para Medi-Cal, más allá de su estatus legal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Los nuevos inscritos se sumarán a más de 655,000 niños, adultos jóvenes de hasta 25 años y adultos de 50 años y más que ya se han registrado en Medi-Cal a través de expansiones anteriores para residentes sin papeles.
