AC, Power Banks, Mini Fridges: Oregon Equips Medicaid Patients for Climate Change
By Samantha Young
Oregon is giving Medicaid patients air conditioners and other equipment to help them cope with soaring heat, smoky skies, and other dangers of climate change. Oregon health officials hope to show other states and the federal government that they can save lives and money.
Toxic Gas Adds to a Long History of Pollution in Southwest Memphis
By Andy Miller
People across the nation claim cancer-causing emissions from local sterilizing plants are making them sick. It’s an example of environmental racism, say residents of one predominantly Black area in southwest Memphis, Tennessee, where life expectancy is much shorter than county and state averages.
Daily Edition for Monday, April 29, 2024
Agent Orange, new hospital construction, ACA, insurance approvals, patient privacy, weight-loss medications, bird flu, and more are in the news.
Exposed to Agent Orange at US Bases, Veterans Face Cancer Without VA Compensation
By Hannah Norman and Patricia Kime
The Department of Veterans Affairs has long given vets who served in Vietnam disability compensation for illness connected to Agent Orange harm. But those exposed at U.S. bases are still waiting for the same benefits.
Millions Were Booted From Medicaid. The Insurers That Run It Gained Revenue Anyway.
By Phil Galewitz
Big health insurers that have contracts with state Medicaid programs find themselves making more money even as enrollment in Medicaid programs has dropped. Here’s why.
Daily Edition for Friday, April 26, 2024
Data breach, 911 system crash, single-payer health care, bird flu, HIV, suicide, school nutrition, miscarriages, and more are in the news.
Daily Edition for Thursday, April 25, 2024
Starting Next Year, California Will Cap Annual Health Care Cost Increases: Doctors, hospitals, and health insurance companies in California will soon be limited to annual price increases. The 3% cap, approved Wednesday by the Health Care Affordability Board, will be phased in over five years, starting with 3.5% in 2025. Providers who don’t comply could face fines. Read more from AP.
Genetics Studies Have a Diversity Problem That Researchers Struggle To Fix
By Lauren Sausser
Researchers in Charleston, South Carolina, are trying to build a DNA database of 100,000 people to better understand how genetics affects health risks. But they’re struggling to recruit enough Black participants.
California Is Investing $500M in Therapy Apps for Youth. Advocates Fear It Won’t Pay Off.
By Molly Castle Work
California launched two teletherapy apps as part of the governor’s $500 million foray into health technology with private companies. But the rollout has been so slow that one company has yet to make its app available on Android, and social workers worry youths who need clinical care won’t get referrals.
Mandatory Reporting Laws Meant To Protect Children Get Another Look
By Kristin Jones
The state is looking at ways to weed out false reporting of child abuse and neglect as the number of reports reaches a record high.