Daily Edition for Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Covered California costs, new bills introduced, abortion access, the opioid crisis, homeless deaths, and more are in today’s news.
Cleanup Workers Got Sick After Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. They Want BP to Pay.
By Christopher O’Donnell, Tampa Bay Times and Max Chesnes, Tampa Bay Times
After the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2020, Rodney Boblitt’s job was to patrol a 14-mile stretch of coastline in the Florida Panhandle looking for signs of oil washing ashore. Today, the 54-year-old is among thousands of other cleanup workers who are experiencing health issues and suing BP. But proving their health conditions were caused by the oil has been challenging.
Why Do Politicians Weaponize Medicare? Because It Works
By Julie Rovner
Politicians are again pointing fingers over who wants to cut Medicare. As past Washington brawls show, the party accused of threatening popular entitlements tends to lose elections — although it’s the beneficiaries relying on lawmakers to fund it who stand to lose the most.
A Law Was Meant to Free Sick or Aging Inmates. Instead, Some Are Left to Die in Prison.
By Fred Clasen-Kelly
The First Step Act was supposed to help free terminally ill and aging federal inmates who pose little or no threat to public safety. But while petitions for compassionate release skyrocketed during the pandemic, judges denied most requests.
California Says It Can No Longer Afford Aid for Covid Testing, Vaccinations for Migrants
By Don Thompson
Gov. Gavin Newsom is winding down state assistance for health care services to migrants seeking asylum. He’s lobbying the Biden administration to increase aid along the state’s southern border.
Journalist Angela Hart Furnishes Framework on Homelessness in California
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
Senators Say Health Worker Shortages Ripe for Bipartisan Compromise
By Michael McAuliff
The Senate’s top health committee focused on the worsening health care workforce shortage during its first hearing Thursday, with Sen. Bernie Sanders, its new chair, boldly promising bipartisan solutions.
Daily Edition for Friday, February 17, 2023
Hospitals’ financial health, “tranq” deaths, covid, racial inequalities, abortion access, veteran health, and more are in the news.
After Staying Away During Pandemic, Doctors Return to Lobby Congress
By Phil Galewitz
Hundreds of physicians came to Washington this week to lobby Congress about their “recovery plan” for physicians, which includes a Medicare pay boost and an end to some frustrating insurance company requirements.
Mark Cuban Has Been Taking On the Drug Industry. But Which One?
By Darius Tahir
The billionaire entrepreneur and NBA team owner is making waves with his new drug company. But his generics aren’t always the lowest-priced deal.
