Surprise-Billing Rule ‘Puts a Thumb on the Scale’ to Keep Arbitrated Costs in Check
By Julie Appleby
Patients soon will not have to worry about the prospect of these often-costly unexpected bills, a federal law promises. Some experts say the new policy could also slow the growth of health insurance premiums.
Covid Testing, Turnaround Times Are Still Uneven This Far Into Pandemic
By Rae Ellen Bichell
The availability of covid testing and turnaround times for results still vary widely around the country, some 19 months since the pandemic was declared a national crisis. A jumbled testing system, technician burnout and squirrely spikes in demand are all part of the problem.
El resultado de una prueba de covid puede tardar horas, o hasta cinco días, dependiendo en donde vives
By Rae Ellen Bichell
Si bien la prueba de covid es mucho más fácil de conseguir de lo que era al principio de la pandemia, la capacidad de obtenerla, con resultados oportunos, puede variar ampliamente en todo el país.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, October 13, 2021
All UC Students, Staff Must Get A Flu Vaccine: The University of California is requiring all students, staff and faulty to receive a flu vaccine on or before Nov. 19. Anyone opting out must wear face masks on campus through the end of the flu season even if covid-19 requirements are relaxed by the respective county or university system. Read more from The Sacramento Bee.
Reluctant Localities Are Being Dragged Into Court to Fix Sidewalks for People With Disabilities
By Maureen O’Hagan
Hundreds of towns, cities and states across the U.S. have ignored part of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and now it’s costing them billions of dollars to comply.
Q&A: How Will California’s New 988 Mental Health Line Actually Work?
By Jenny Gold
California Assembly member Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who authored legislation to create and fund the state’s new 988 phone line for mental health emergencies, spoke with KHN about the effort and what more will be needed to create a full-fledged response network for people experiencing mental health crises.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Tuesday’s summaries of California health news cover medical costs, looming KP strike, vaccine mandates, notable new state laws and more.
The Public Backs Medicare Rx Price Negotiation Even After Hearing Both Sides’ Views
By Amanda Michelle Gomez
But Americans generally have little confidence that the White House or Congress will recommend the right thing, a new poll shows.
6 Months to Live or Die: How Long Should an Alcoholic Liver Disease Patient Wait for a Transplant?
By Aneri Pattani
In a practice dating to the 1980s, many hospitals require people with alcohol-related liver disease to complete a period of sobriety before they can be added to the waiting list for a liver. But this thinking may be changing.
Health Industry Wields Power in California’s High-Stakes Battle to Lower Health Care Costs
By Angela Hart and Samantha Young
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to regulate out-of-control health care spending in California. The effort is being shaped by the very health industry players that would be regulated.
