KFF Health News

If you get sick in America, there’s a good chance you’ll end up in debt. Four in 10 U.S. adults have some form of health-care debt, KFF has found. One surprising risk: living in a community where hospitals have consolidated — an increasingly common development as health systems merge or large systems gobble up smaller hospitals. https://lnkd.in/ePEkd95K

A Massachusetts woman ended up stranded in the hospital because CVS stopped providing the IV nutrition she needs to survive at home. Without it, she’d starve. Here's what you need to know: https://lnkd.in/gatmDGpb

Uber and Lyft have become a critical part of the nation’s infrastructure for transporting ailing people from their homes — even in rural areas — to medical care sites in major cities such as Atlanta. https://lnkd.in/eSmPsCq8

California legislators for years have granted extensions on a 1994 law requiring hospitals to retrofit their buildings to withstand earthquakes. Gov. Gavin Newsom in September vetoed an extension for all hospitals but signed a bill granting relief to rural and “distressed” hospitals and some others. Here's what you need to know: https://lnkd.in/e5PD773y

#ICYMI: As part of a media blitz aimed at women voters, Vice President Kamala Harris this week rolled out a plan for Medicare to provide in-home long-term care services. It’s popular, particularly for families struggling to care for both young children and older relatives, but its enormous expense has prevented similar plans from being implemented for decades. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden called out former President Donald Trump by name for having “led the onslaught of lies” about the federal efforts to help people affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Even some Republican officials say the misinformation about hurricane relief efforts is threatening public health. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ePz6Dnq5

Boo! We scared you. Now it’s your turn to give our newsroom a scare. Submissions are now open for KFF Health News’ sixth annual Halloween haiku competition. Submit your haiku here: https://lnkd.in/eFhZ2P7G Need some extra inspiration? Check out last year's winners. ⤵️

The Big Three pharmacy benefit managers say they return nearly all the rebates they get from drugmakers to the employers and insurers who hire them. But most employers seem to doubt that. Here's what you need to know. ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eMcbnfeV

Attention D.C. "What the Health?" fans: We're hosting a special in-person taping on Oct. 17 at 11:30am EDT. Host Julie Rovner will be joined by top policy experts and journalists to discuss the health implications of the #2024Election. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dpydqaFc

CVS Health is expected to cut more than 630 employees who report to the company’s headquarters in Woonsocket, according to a letter the company sent to state officials on Monday. Read more in our #MorningBriefing: https://lnkd.in/epm248jh

The former president presided over the development of the COVID-19 vaccine — and a landmark shift in how Republicans view vaccines. (via KFF Health News)