Kaiser Health News

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GERD ALTMANN/PIXABAY

Private Sector Wants To Protect Online Health Privacy, Critics Say It Can’t Be Trusted

Many companies in the health tech sector have shockingly leaky privacy practices.

May 19, 2022

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RICHARD GARD DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS A “VERY HEALTHY AND FIT” SAILOR, SCUBA DIVER, AND MUSIC TEACHER AT YALE UNIVERSITY BEFORE HE WAS HOSPITALIZED IN INTENSIVE CARE AFTER CONTRACTING COVID IN MARCH 2020. HE HAS SINCE SPENT MORE THAN TWO MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL, OFTEN FOR SYMPTOMS THAT RESEMBLE A HEART ATTACK./RICHARD GARD/KHN

‘That’s Just Part of Aging’: Long COVID Symptoms Often Overlooked in Seniors

Research suggests older adults are more likely to develop long COVID, and millions have.

May 19, 2022

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PIXABAY

As Red Cross Moves To Pricey Blood Treatment Method, Hospitals Call For More Choice

Hospital officials fear a change in how blood platelets are handled will sharply increase the cost and, in some cases, the number of transfusions needed by patients.

May 17, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Why So Slow? Legislators Take On Insurers’ Delays In Approving Prescribed Treatments

A dozen states have passed broad reforms to un-gum delays in billing, a process that is notoriously sticky.

May 17, 2022

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Providence Portland Medical Center staff prep to work on COVID-19 patients. | PROVIDENCE HEALTH & SERVICES

Is Paxlovid, The COVID Pill, Reaching Those Who Most Need It? The Government Won’t Say

The federal government isn’t saying how many people have received potentially lifesaving antiviral pills or whether they’re being distributed equitably.

May 12, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Why Won’t More Older Americans Get Their COVID Booster?

Most states lag Oregon as a third of older people nationwide haven't received their first COVID vaccine booster shot.

May 12, 2022

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Drug overdoses related to fentanyl are on the rise nationally. | SHUTTERSTOCK

As Overdoses Soar, More States Decriminalize Fentanyl Testing Strips

Many public health and addiction experts promote the rapid testing devices as a “harm reduction” tactic to help prevent overdose deaths.

May 10, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

What’s At Stake In The Mask Mandate Appeal

The challenge to the overturned federal mask mandate for public transportation could determine the limits of federal health officials’ power.

May 10, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Travel Nurses See Swift Change of Fortunes as COVID Money Runs Dry

As COVID hospitalization rates stabilize and relief funding dries up, travel nurse contracts that were plentiful and lucrative are vanishing.

May 10, 2022

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LYDIA ZURAW/KHN

At US Hospitals, A Drug Mix-Up Is Just A Few Keystrokes Away

Medication errors like the one that led to the controversial prosecution of Tennessee nurse RaDonda Vaught could be prevented easily with a simple fix, safety advocates say.

May 3, 2022