access & quality

Image

NATALIA MERZLYAKOVA/FOTOLIA

Want a clue on health care costs in advance? New tools take a crack at It

Under a new federal rule, health insurers and employers that offer health plans must provide online calculators for patients to get detailed estimates of what they will owe for a range of services and drugs.

Jan 3, 2023

Image

MADONNA MCGUIRE SMITH, HEAD OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST BLEEDING DISORDERS, AND HER FAMILY EARLIER THIS YEAR./COURTESY PHOTO

Patient groups back bill to protect benefits of pharma copay programs

High drug costs, under-the-radar insurer policies can put patients in a bind as hefty copays mount.

Dec 15, 2022
Premium

Image

TOWFIQU BARBHUIYA/UNSPLASH

Employers Use Patient Assistance Programs To Offset Their Own Costs

A Washington woman unwittingly become part of a strategy that employers are using to deal with the high cost of some drugs.

Dec 6, 2022

Image

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

Financials Work For Low-Income ‘Bridge’ Health Plan, State Panel Says

The new plan is meant to maintain coverage gains from the pandemic, but its low reimbursement rates may be a problem.

Dec 1, 2022
Premium

Image

RHONDA JONES WITH SON TYRUS AND DAUGHTER ALAYNA AT THEIR HOME IN CROWN POINT, INDIANA. ALAYNA WAS INJURED DURING HER BIRTH AND HAS CEREBRAL PALSY. SHE WAS RECENTLY HOSPITALIZED WITH RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS, OR RSV./TAYLOR GLASCOCK/KHN

When Malpractice Occurs At Community Health Centers, Taxpayers Pay

Payouts from 2018 to 2021 totaled $410 million, with none of the health centers or doctors involved paying anything.

Dec 1, 2022

Image

Salem Hospital | BEN BOTKIN/THE LUND REPORT

Former Salem Health Official Claims Retaliation

Dr. Jefferson Loa had glowing reviews until he began following up on concerns that some doctors were neglecting patient care.

Nov 29, 2022
Premium

Image

This Oregon Medical Group clinic in Eugene is one of several primary care businesses bought in Oregon in recent years by UnitedHealth's Optum Health Division. | CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/THE LUND REPORT

What Will UnitedHealth’s New Trove Of Claims Data Mean For Consumers?

UnitedHealth, which has been expanding in Oregon, is under scrutiny over issues that include its data practices.

Nov 17, 2022

Image

TWO-YEAR-OLD ZION GASTELUM DIED FOUR DAYS AFTER RECEIVING BABY ROOT CANALS AND CROWNS AT KOOL SMILES, A PRIVATE EQUITY-AFFILIATED DENTAL CLINIC IN YUMA, ARIZONA./SCREENGRAB OF ABC15 ARIZONA BROADCAST

Investigating Private Equity’s Stealthy Takeover of Health Care

As private equity extends into health care, evidence is mounting it’s led to higher prices and diminished quality of care, a KHN investigation has found.

Nov 17, 2022

Image

SHUTTERSTOCK

Oregon Voters Make Health Care A Right, Approve Measure 111

The new law, giving individuals the right to sue over health care adequacy, won by 23,000 votes.

Nov 15, 2022
Premium

Image

GLORIA SANCHEZ KEETH, CLINIC MANAGER WITH MEDICAL TEAMS INTERNATIONAL, AND DENTIST THIEN-Y HOANG WORK ON A PATIENT INSIDE THE MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC AT CHEMEKETA COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN SALEM ON OCT. 22, 2022./BRIAN HAYES/STATESMAN JOURNAL

How To Access Free Mobile Medical, Dental Care In Oregon, Washington

The ‘Care and Connect’ Program provides essential care to communities at mobile clinics.

Nov 10, 2022