Sarah Jane Tribble

MARKUS SPISKE/CREATIVE COMMONS

Tiny, rural hospitals feel the pinch as Medicare Advantage plans grow

Medicare Advantage plans have become dubious payers for many large and small hospitals, which report the insurers are often slow to pay or don’t pay

Oct 24

Lore Wilkinson’s medication for her rare muscle disease used to cost so little she paid for it without using insurance, but her most recent bill shows her insurer paid about $40,000 for a month’s supply. Wilkinson and many others with rare diseases across the country are getting caught in the crossfire of an ongoing legal debate over orphan drugs. | LIAM JAMES DOYLE FOR KHN

Battle over the ‘Orphan Drug’ program leaves patients’ pocketbooks at risk

Patients who depend on special drugs to treat rare diseases are caught in the crossfire between drugmakers and the FDA.

Feb 22

Latinos were among the patients at an OHSU vaccination clinic in Hillsboro in May. | JOSH ANDERSEN/OHSU

The White House Says Boosters for All. Here’s What You Need to Know.

The rollout would begin the week of Sept. 20 for U.S. residents 18 and older who received their second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines at least eight months previously.

Aug 18, 2021

FRITZ LIEDTKE/OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Pfizer CEO To Public: Just Trust Us On The Covid Booster

As pharmaceutical companies declare a need for boosters, scientists and doctors emphasize that there’s no proof yet.

Aug 13, 2021

FRITZ LIEDTKE/OHSU

Pfizer’s Newest Vaccine Plant Has Persistent Mold Issues, History of Recalls

Pfizer’s management knew last year there was “a mold issue” at the Kansas facility now slated to produce the drugmaker’s urgently needed COVID-19 vaccine.

Mar 10, 2021

SUSIE CHRISTOFF HAS TRIED A NUMBER OF MEDICATIONS FOR HER PAINFUL PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS BUT THEY ALWAYS MADE HER SWELL UP./CHRIS BARTLETT/FOR KAISER HEALTH NEWS