Bram Sable-Smith

PIXABAY

Her case changed trans care in prison. Now Trump aims to reverse course.

President Donald Trump ordered a halt to gender-affirming medical care for transgender prisoners in federal custody, and to housing trans women in female prisons. The new policies raise alarms for a formerly incarcerated trans woman.

Mar 18

Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota at a bill signing in 2023. | COURTESY/OFFICE OF GOV. TIM WALZ & LT. GOV. PEGGY FLANAGAN

How Minnesota figures into the presidential politics of insulin prices

Minnesota led the way on insulin affordability, culminating in 2020 when Gov. Tim Walz signed a law going further to cut costs than other state laws. Now, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are vying for support from people with diabetes

Oct 1, 2024

Christopher Marks spent months trying to get his health insurer to pay for the Type 2 diabetes medication Mounjaro. | CHRISTOPHER SMITH FOR KFF HEALTH NEWS

States target health insurers’ ‘prior authorization’ red tape

Last year, 29 states and Washington, D.C., considered bills to limit “prior authorization” requirements for medical care and prescriptions, according to the American Medical Association. This year, the trade group is tracking more.

Feb 15, 2024

An employee of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services helps a consumer pick a health care plan on the federal online health insurance marketplace. | DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES

This Open Enrollment Season, Look Out For Health Insurance That Seems Too Good To Be True

People who buy their own health coverage should be aware that alternative products, such as short-term health plans and health care sharing ministries, often provide far fewer protections, experts say.

Nov 3, 2022

DR. BHAVIN SHAH AND SUNITA KALSARIYA’S JOURNEY TO REDUCE SHAH’S HIGH MEDICAL BILL ENTAILED BEING BRIEFLY SENT TO DEBT COLLECTION, ASKING FOR HELP FROM THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL, AND EVENTUALLY UNCOVERING THAT NEARLY $7,000 OF SHAH’S INITIAL CHARGES WERE FOR A PROCEDURE THAT WAS NEVER PERFORMED./BRAM SABLE-SMITH/KHN

Billing Expert Saved Big After Finding Incorrect Charge On Husband’s ER Bill

Her sleuthing knocked thousands of dollars off the hospital’s charges — and provides a playbook for other consumers.

Oct 25, 2022

Ric Peralta is able to check his blood sugar levels at any time, using the Dexcom app and an arm patch that measures the levels and sends the information wirelessly. (Allison Zaucha for NPR)