KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: Abortion Politics Front and Center
The polarizing abortion issue threatens to tie up Congress, the Supreme Court and the states for the coming year. Meanwhile, Congress kicks the can down the road to December on settling its spending priorities. Joanne Kenen of Politico and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Yasmeen Abutaleb of The Washington Post and Sarah Karlin-Smith of the Pink Sheet join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more.
Also this week, Rovner interviews KHN’s Aneri Pattani, who delivered the latest KHN-NPR “Bill of the Month” episode about a covid test that cost as much as a luxury car.
Daily Edition for Thursday, October 7, 2021
Thursday’s summaries of California health news cover proof of vaccination, masks, covid shots for kids, hospitalizations, schools and more.
Our Covid Cocoon: The Parents Aren’t Alright (But Help May Be Coming)
By Matt Volz
After experiencing multiple quarantines and school closures in less than two months, covid vaccine approvals for 5- to 11-year-olds can’t come soon enough for a KHN editor in Montana.
Covid Immunity Through Infection or Vaccination: Are They Equal?
By Arthur Allen
As scientists argue whether a previous bout of covid offers the same amount of protection as vaccinations, people turn to the courts to decide.
‘An Arm and a Leg’: How One State Protects Patients From Hospital Lawsuits
By Dan Weissmann
In Maryland, it’s now illegal for a hospital to sue a patient who qualifies for charity care. But in many other states, that’s still a thing.
Ser inmune a covid por haberlo tenido o estar vacunado, ¿es lo mismo?
By Arthur Allen
Hay pruebas de que contraer SARS-CoV-2 genera inmunidad. Pero muchos científicos creen que no son contundentes.
Collins’ Skillful Piloting Helped NIH Steer Clear of Political Minefields
By Julie Rovner
Dr. Francis Collins, who announced he is stepping down as chief of the National Institutes of Health, used his communication skills and political insights to help protect the highly acclaimed federal research institutes through difficult times.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, October 6, 2021
PFAS Chemicals Banned From Baby Products, Food Packaging: California on Tuesday became one of the first states to ban a class of harmful chemicals, known as PFAS, from food packaging and from infant and children’s products after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills. PFAS have been linked to reproductive problems and cancer. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle and The Hill.
Needle Exchanges Are Targets of Eco-Rooted Lawsuits. A New Law Will Stop That.
By Rachel Bluth
Opponents of free needle programs in California are using environmental regulations to shut them down. On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will end that strategy.
Major Insurers Running Billions of Dollars Behind on Payments to Hospitals and Doctors
By Jay Hancock
Patients are caught in the middle as insurers clamp down on paying for treatments or force prior authorizations for care.
