Kaiser Health News

Nursing home visit Raul Lugo wanted to hug his grandmother Rosa Perez, 89, during their in-person visit at her nursing home./Courtesy of Damary Lugo

States Allow In-Person Nursing Home Visits As Families Charge Residents Die ‘Of Broken Hearts’

California is the only state on the West Coast that is loosening rules so that families can visit their loved ones who are in care.

Jul 13, 2020

SHUTTERSTOCK

Analysis: How A COVID-19 Vaccine Could Cost Americans Dearly

Given the prevailing business-centric model of American drug pricing, a COVID-19 vaccine could be budget breaking, perhaps making it unavailable to many.

Jul 8, 2020

Patti Breed-Rabitoy died of COVID-19./Photo courtesy of Elishia Breed for KHN

‘I Couldn’t Let Her Be Alone’: A Peaceful Death Amid the COVID Scourge

An end-of-life program helped an Oregon woman find some comfort when her mother died of COVID-19 in California.

Jul 7, 2020

KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/OPB

2021 Health Plans Granted Leeway To Limit Consumers’ Benefit From Drug Coupons

Advocates say a new rule will make it harder for patients with conditions such as cancer and multiple sclerosis who rely on very expensive drugs to afford them.

Jul 6, 2020

Coronavirus Fuels Explosive Growth In Telehealth ― And Concern About Fraud

“There are unscrupulous providers out there, and they have much greater reach with telehealth,” said Mike Cohen, an operations officer with the Health and Human Services Inspector General’s Office.

Jun 29, 2020

PHOTO BY JC GELLIDON ON UNSPLASH

Airlines Want Flyers To Feel Safe, But Grab Bag Of COVID Policies Adds Turbulence

As consumers consider traveling again, they discover the public health guidelines in place for flying often are a messy patchwork of precautions that lack the teeth to protect passengers.

Jun 25, 2020

PHOTO BY ADAM JAIME ON UNSPLASH

Packed Bars Serve Up New Rounds Of COVID Contagion

Bars are tailor-made for the spread of the virus, with loud music and a cacophony of conversations, and alcohol can impede judgment about following rules to prevent contagion.

Jun 25, 2020