Kaiser Health News

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SHUTTERSTOCK

States Watching As Massachusetts Takes Aim At Hospital Building Boom And Costs

States like Oregon were watching as a Massachusetts health cost watchdog agency and a coalition of consumers, health systems, and insurers helped block a hospital expansion over fears it would drive up costs.

May 3, 2022

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SHAUNTI MEYER, MEDICAL DIRECTOR AT THE STRIDE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER IN AURORA, COLORADO, DISCLOSES HER SEXUAL ORIENTATION TO PATIENTS WHEN IT FEELS APPROPRIATE. LGBTQ+ PATIENTS OFTEN DEAL WITH STIGMA IN HEALTH SETTINGS. “THEY FEEL MORE CONNECTED BECAUSE I’M PART OF THE COMMUNITY,” MEYER SAYS./RACHEL WOOLF/KHN

Physicians Are Uneasy As Colorado Collects Providers’ Diversity Data

Apr 28, 2022

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SHUTTERSTOCK

Better Ventilation Can Prevent COVID Spread. But Are Companies Paying Attention?

A growing coalition of epidemiologists and aerosol scientists say that improved ventilation could be a powerful tool against the coronavirus — if businesses are willing to invest the money.

Apr 26, 2022

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Pictured is a CDC scientist preparing a patient sample for testing. | JAMES GATHANY/CDC

Judge’s Ruling On The CDC Mask Mandate Highlights The Limits Of The Agency’s Power

The role that the federal government plays in containing future epidemics will hinge on the outcome of an appeal of the recent court ruling that overturned the mask mandate for travelers.

Apr 26, 2022

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DONA TEMPEST/KHN

Why Cheap, Older Drugs That Might Treat COVID Never Get Out Of The Lab

A few older drugs show promise as COVID-fighters, but some scientists say the pharmaceutical industry has shown little interest in testing them when it can earn billions from mediocre new ones.

Apr 19, 2022

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NINA FELDMAN, A REPORTER FOR WHYY IN PHILADELPHIA, HAD COVID-19 SYMPTOMS THAT PERSISTED INTO WHAT SHE CALLS MEDIUM COVID./HAZEL LEZAH/KHN

When Symptoms Linger For Weeks, Is It Long Covid?

Recovery from COVID-19 can take much longer than expected, but that's not necessarily "long COVID."

Apr 14, 2022

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GUNDULA VOGEL/PIXABAY

Private Equity Ownership Of Nursing Homes Triggers Capitol Hill Questions — And A Federal Probe

Congress is taking an interest in how quality of care changes when private equity firms purchase nursing homes, and an investigation is under way.

Apr 14, 2022

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MICHELE LUJAN (RIGHT) MEETS WITH PATTI JO OAKLEY AT SOUTH METRO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT LOAN CLOSET IN GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO. LUJAN NEEDED A WHEELCHAIR FOR HER HUSBAND, WHO HAD BEEN HOSPITALIZED FOR COVID, AND SHE WAS ABLE TO BORROW ONE FOR FREE./KATE RUDER/KHN

Refurbished Walkers And Wheelchairs Fill Gaps Created By Supply Chain Problems

Medical equipment reuse programs are softening the impact of supply chain problems caused by the pandemic.

Apr 12, 2022

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SOURCE: U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION/PHILLIP REESE/KHN

Babies Die As Congenital Syphilis Continues A Decade-Long Surge Across The US

Congenital syphilis rates have soared since ambitious prevention and education efforts helped the numbers reach near-historic modern lows from 2000 to 2012.

Apr 12, 2022

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MILES CITY FIRE AND RESCUE CAPT. EDDY KANDUCH (LEFT) AND FIREFIGHTER TANNER GORDON WORK WITH A NEW TRAINING SIMULATOR PURCHASED WITH A FEDERAL GRANT TO HELP CREWS IN RURAL AREAS DELIVER EMERGENCY CARE./SARAH LEWIN/KAISER HEALTH NEWS

The Pandemic Exacerbates The ‘Paramedic Paradox’ In Rural America

A long-standing paramedic shortage has been exacerbated by turnover and resignations related to pandemic burnout.

Apr 7, 2022