The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
Labor unions have called for the agency to issue an emergency standard that would define what steps employers must take to protect their workers from the coronavirus. It has not done that, although it offered guidance that it said does not create a 鈥渘ew legal obligation鈥 for employers.
Federal officials have known for nearly a decade which counties are most likely to suffer devastation 鈥 both in loss of lives and jobs 鈥 in a pandemic.
Former officials from the federal agency criticize OSHA for a slow and timid response to a 鈥渨orker safety crisis of monstrous proportions鈥 unfolding in hospitals, nursing homes.
鈥淯nscrupulous providers鈥 could take advantage of the boom in treatment delivered via voice or video calls.
Because the surge of COVID-19 cases hasn鈥檛 yet hit all parts of America, some hospitals are able to learn lessons from the hot spots and prepare for the onslaught. In Wichita, Kansas, Ascension Via Christi hospitals converted a portion of a hospital cafeteria into a grocery store and offered alternative housing and child care for staff members working long hours in a stressful setting. The hospital group is also working with local aircraft manufacturers and 3D-printing hobbyists to produce face shields and other safety materials.
Poorly rated long-term care facilities stand out in the COVID-19 crisis 鈥 but even the best are affected.
Illinois is moving thousands of children into its Medicaid managed-care program. Proponents say the approach can cut costs while increasing access to care. But after a phase-one rollout of the new health plans caused thousands to temporarily lose coverage, some question whether it鈥檚 the right move.
An early morning text. A lawyer-filled meeting on a Sunday afternoon. Emotional journal entries. And, ultimately, action. In the 24 hours before San Francisco Bay Area public health officials issued the country鈥檚 first stay-at-home order, they debated how to tackle the alarming rise in COVID-19 infections. Their decision set the course for the nation.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed won nationwide praise for taking drastic early measures against COVID-19. But her hesitation over how to care for the homeless came back to bite her.
KHN Midwest correspondent Lauren Weber joined Newsy鈥檚 “Morning Rush” and WAMU鈥檚 鈥1A鈥 show to talk about the challenges facing rural America during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Though it already had one staff member testing positive for the coronavirus, the Gallatin Center for Rehabilitation and Healing did not tell 911 operators this fact as it called ambulances to take residents in respiratory distress to the hospital, a WPLN investigation reveals.
Many Americans order drugs from Canada and other countries because they are cheaper, but U.S. authorities appear to be cracking down on the practice.
鈥淎n Arm and a Leg鈥 is back sharing stories about the ways COVID-19 intersects with the cost of health care. To tackle a listener鈥檚 question about health coverage, Dan Weissmann spoke with one of the country鈥檚 top insurance nerds.
Health care providers are seeing the effects of climate change in hospitals across the U.S. 鈥 and urging their peers to take action.
Language in the CARES Act says providers who take emergency funding cannot balance-bill coronavirus patients 鈥 and 鈥渆very patient鈥 is considered a possible COVID-19 patient.
KHN鈥檚 Julie Rovner discusses the Trump administration鈥檚 blueprint for reopening the economy and its effect on public health on WBUR鈥檚 鈥淥n Point.鈥
Newsletter editor Brianna Labuskes wades through hundreds of health care policy stories each week, so you don’t have to.
Francisco D铆az ordinarily works educating seniors about their diabetes, but he has moved to the emergency room, on the front line in the battle against coronavirus. He said his Latino background helps him communicate with the many Spanish-speaking patients and understand their culture.
Many states are dramatically loosening regulations on nurse practitioners as the coronavirus pandemic increases demand for health care workers. But not California.
President Donald Trump says the country has seen a peak in new cases, but that doesn鈥檛 mean the end of the pandemic, experts say. Buckle in 鈥 we could be social distancing into 2022.
