The Nation’s Health Secretary Has This Doctor on Call
By Samantha Young
Carolina Reyes, a physician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies, says providers and health systems have a role in tackling systemic racism. She’s also married to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Daily Edition for Friday, April 28, 2023
California Democrats Block Fentanyl Bills: On Thursday, Democrats stalled several bills that would increase punishments for fentanyl dealers amid concerns they would lead to mass incarceration. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle and AP.
Some Private Companies Charge Hefty Fees to Help Veterans With Disability Claims
By Michelle Andrews
Unaccredited companies promise to help veterans file for disability benefits. But unlike the thousands of service representatives who have been vetted and approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide aid, these “medical consultants” or “coaches” operate with no restrictions on how much they can charge.
For Sacramento Teen, Medi-Cal Coverage of Early Psychosis Treatment Proved a Lifesaver
By Samantha Young
A Medi-Cal patient illustrates how early schizophrenia treatments can yield big benefits. Advocates want California to expand such services to more people living with severe mental illness, which they argue will not only improve lives but also save money over time.
Readers and Tweeters Defend the Rights of Adults With Disabilities
KFF Health News gives readers a chance to comment on a recent batch of stories.
How to Grow Your Social Network as You Age
By Judith Graham
As your circle of close friends shrinks, there are ways to rebuild — but not replace — the social network you had when you were younger.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Dancing Under the Debt Ceiling
House Republicans passed their plan to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, along with major cuts to health (and other domestic) programs. Unlikely to become law, it calls for new work requirements for adults on Medicaid. Meanwhile, state efforts targeting trans people bear a striking resemblance to the fight against abortion rights. Jessie Hellmann of CQ Roll Call, Shefali Luthra of The 19th, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Renuka Rayasam, who reported the latest KFF Health News-NPR “Bill of the Month” feature, about a specialist’s demand to be paid as much as $15,000 before treating a woman’s serious pregnancy complication.
Daily Edition for Thursday, April 27, 2023
Kaiser Permanente Acquiring Geisinger To Create New Not-For-Profit System: Kaiser Permanente has agreed to acquire Geisinger in a blockbuster deal that would create a new national not-for-profit system that encompasses health insurance, hospitals, and medical groups. Read more from Stat, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.
Expectant Mom Needed $15,000 Overnight to Save Her Twins
By Renuka Rayasam
Doctors rushed a pregnant woman to a surgeon who charged thousands upfront just to see her. The case reveals a gap in medical billing protections for those with rare, specialized conditions.
How One Patient’s Textured Hair Nearly Kept Her From a Needed EEG
By Tarena Lofton
An EEG can help diagnose conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, and brain tumors. But a design flaw and outdated Eurocentric practices make the test less effective on thicker, denser, and curly hair types, potentially excluding or deterring some people from getting screened.
