KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Harris in the Spotlight
For the 2024 campaign, Joe Biden is out, and Kamala Harris is in. As the vice president makes moves toward the top of the Democratic presidential ticket, health policy is resurging as a campaign issue. Meanwhile, Congress tries — and again fails — to make timely progress on the annual government spending bills as abortion issues cause delays. Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, Stephanie Armour of KFF Health News, and Rachel Cohrs Zhang of Stat join KFF Health News’ Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Also this week, Rovner interviews Anthony Wright, the new executive director of Families USA, about his plans for the organization and his history working with Harris on health topics.
Daily Edition for Thursday, July 25, 2024
Covered California Premiums Are Going Up: Premiums for health insurance sold through the state’s marketplace will increase by nearly 8% in 2025, Covered California officials announced Wednesday. That’s a smaller increase than this year’s 10% hike, which was the biggest jump in Covered California insurance costs since 2018. Read more from CalMatters.
Montana Looks To Become Latest State To Boost Nonprofit Hospital Oversight
By Katheryn Houghton
Montana’s proposal to increase oversight is part of a national trend by states to ensure nonprofit hospitals act as charitable organizations as they claim tax-exempt status. But the state has yet to set standards for how much the hospitals must do.
California Speeds Up Indoor Heat Protections Amid Sweltering Summer Weather
By Samantha Young
Indoor workers who toil in hot jobsites in California gain immediate protection from this summer’s extreme heat. The state’s worker safety chief announced finalized rules Wednesday, capping a years-long push by workers.
En medio de un verano abrasador, California acelera protecciones contra el calor extremo en interiores
By Samantha Young
California ha tenido estándares para proteger a los trabajadores al aire libre del calor desde 2005, pero el estado anunció el miércoles 24 de julio que ya había acelerado la revisión de un conjunto de reglas para los trabajadores en interiores.
Oregon Senator Proposes Criminal Charges and Fines for Rogue Obamacare Agents
By Julie Appleby
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden introduced legislation intended to curb a growing problem in which consumers, without their consent, are enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans or their coverage is switched.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Homeless Camp Cleanups Have No Long-Term Effect, Study Finds: Within a month or two, the number of homeless residents went back up to the former level, a study by Rand Corp. has found. Read more from the Los Angeles Times. Scroll down for more on the housing crisis.
Planned Parenthood’s Push to Get Voters to the Polls
By Molly Castle Work
Planned Parenthood’s political and advocacy organizations will use a more than $40 million war chest to blitz GOP officeholders and candidates in an effort to flip the House and maintain Democratic control of the Senate and presidency. The plan is to focus on the records of Republicans who have repeatedly voted against access to abortion, contraceptives, in vitro fertilization or gender-affirming […]
Daily Edition for Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Newsom Signs Anti-Sex-Harassment Laws: A year after a scathing report revealed widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct claims at San Jose State and across the California State University system, two new laws will require stronger sexual harassment policies at its 23 campuses. Read more from Bay Area News Group and CalMatters.
Why Millions Are Trying FDA-Authorized Alternatives to Big Pharma’s Weight Loss Drugs
By Arthur Allen
Illustration by Oona Zenda
Although Novo Nordisk and Lilly lump together the pharmacies that compound semaglutide and tirzepatide with internet cowboys selling fake drugs, there is a distinction. The FDA has offered Americans little clarity about the vast gray and black markets for the drugs.
