Targeted by Politicians, Trans Youth Struggle With Growing Fear and Mental Health Concerns
By Sandy West
Transgender young people and their parents have stepped up to testify against legislation targeting them. But as rhetoric escalates in the political fray, what does the anti-trans legislative push mean for their mental health?
Other States Keep Watchful Eye on Snags in Washington’s Pioneering Public-Option Plan
By Markian Hawryluk
Washington was the first state in the U.S. to introduce a public option for health insurance, but the rollout hasn’t been smooth. Other states with public options in the works are taking notice.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Tuesday’s California health roundup covers the state’s covid plan, Medi-Cal, pain clinics, vaccines, homelessness, flu, mental health and more.
‘Injections, Injections, Injections’: Troubling Questions Follow Closure of Sprawling Pain Clinic Chain
By Anna Maria Barry-Jester and Jenny Gold
In May 2021, Lags Medical Centers, one of California’s largest chains of pain clinics, abruptly closed its doors amid a cloaked state investigation. Nine months later, patients are still in the dark about what happened with their care and to their bodies.
Journalists Review Hospital Penalties and Problems Riddling Medicaid Rx Program
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.
Daily Edition for Friday, February 18, 2022
Friday’s California health news roundup covers the state’s covid policy switch, variants, Medicaid, vaccines, masks, baby formula, and more.
Inmates Who Died Asked for Release Before Falling Ill With Covid
By LJ Dawson
Covid is running rampant through the Alderson women’s prison in West Virginia, in one of the deadliest outbreaks this year at a federal correctional facility. This comes as Bureau of Prisons officials take heat for how the agency has handled the pandemic.
Covid Still Threatens Millions of Americans. Why Are We So Eager to Move On?
By Victoria Knight
Those who are living with disabilities, chronic illnesses or are immunocompromised because of medications or cancer treatment feel that their needs are not being considered as states open back up and lift mask mandates.
As Covid Slogs On, Seniors Find Fortitude Waning and Malaise Growing
By Judith Graham
The spread of the omicron variant has dashed the hopes of many older adults that the country was exiting the worst of the pandemic, leaving them anxious while their patience wears thin.
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.
