Florida Archives

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ ‘Conscience’ Rules, Rx Prices and Still More Medicare

Joanne Kenen of Politico, Jen Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times and Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss the latest news about the Trump administration’s effort to allow health care practitioners and organizations to refuse to provide care or refer patients for services that violate their conscience or religion. Also this week, the administration orders TV ads for prescription drugs to include list prices. And Tennessee wants free rein from the federal government to run its Medicaid program. Plus, Rovner interviews Joan Biskupic, author of a new book on Chief Justice John Roberts, about the behind-the-scenes negotiations that led to the 2012 ruling upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

May 9, 2019

Cities And Counties Unlikely To Heed FDA Warning On Importing Foreign Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration claims CanaRX, a company used by more than 500 cities, counties and school districts to help their employees get cheaper drugs from overseas, has sent “unapproved” and “misbranded” drugs to U.S. consumers, jeopardizing their safety.

By Phil Galewitz

March 6, 2019

In Florida, Drug Importation From Canada Finds New Champions, Old Snags

The state’s governor said the plan has the full support of the White House. But the Trump administration was noncommittal about whether allowing states to buy and import cheaper drugs from up north could be the answer to the nation’s drug-pricing problem.

By Shefali Luthra and Phil Galewitz

Feb. 25, 2019

Open Enrollment

Need Health Insurance? The Deadline Is Dec. 15

Enrollment is lagging compared with last year’s pace. But experts say sign-ups tend to accelerate as the deadline nears, and many people will be automatically re-enrolled, so the final numbers could approach last year’s totals.

By Michelle Andrews

Dec. 10, 2018

2018 Elections

Health Care Tops Guns, Economy As Voters’ Top Issue

Nearly three-quarters of voters say that health care is the most important issue for them, but fewer than half are hearing much from candidates about it, according to a poll released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

By Phil Galewitz

Oct. 18, 2018

Parents Are Leery Of Schools Requiring ‘Mental Health’ Disclosures By Students

Florida school districts now have to ask if a new student has ever been referred for mental health services. It's a legislative attempt to help troubled kids. Will it work, or increase stigma instead?

By Julio Ochoa, WUSF

Sept. 25, 2018

Unwitting Patients, Copycat Comments Play Hidden Role In Federal Rule-Making

As HHS decided to cut $1.6 billion in drug payments to hospitals, it weighed thousands of comments generated by a pharmaceutical-funded advocacy group.

By Sarah Jane Tribble

Sept. 11, 2018

Giuliani’s Consulting Firm Helped Halt Purdue Opioid Investigation In Florida

Post-9/11, Giuliani Partners helped craft a plan that put a halt to a probe into Purdue’s marketing of OxyContin.

By Fred Schulte

Sept. 5, 2018

2018 Elections

In Florida, Midterm Elections Hold Faint Hope For Medicaid Expansion

Republicans’ overwhelming majorities in the state legislature make pursuing a policy that could benefit 660,000 uninsured adults a “long shot,” political analysts say.

By Phil Galewitz

July 16, 2018

Outrageous Or Overblown? HHS Announces Another Round Of ACA Navigator Funding Cuts

Advocates of the sweeping health law view this move by the Trump administration as its most recent act of sabotage. But not everyone views it as a mortal blow.

By Phil Galewitz

July 12, 2018

Bill Of The Month

A Tale Of Two CT Scanners — One Richer, One Poorer

Why is the price of a CT scan 33 times higher in an hospital emergency room than in an outpatient imaging center just down the street?

By Alison Kodjak, NPR News

April 9, 2018

Mental Health Funding Tied To Florida’s Controversial Gun Legislation

The same Florida bill that would put more guns in schools would provide the state with $90 million more for mental health resources, including $69 million for schools. Advocates say those funds for mental health care are desperately needed.

By Julio Ochoa, WUSF

March 7, 2018

After Shooting, ‘Honor How Kids Want To Deal With Their Feelings’

Christine Sylvest, a child psychologist who now works in Maryland, for three years attended the Parkland, Fla., high school where a shooting attack left 17 people dead last week. She says the tragedy affects the entire community.

By Phil Galewitz

Feb. 22, 2018

From Retirement To The Front Lines Of Hepatitis C Treatment

This doctor came out of retirement with the goal of treating every patient at high risk for hepatitis C he encounters. The problem is finding them.

By Julio Ochoa, WUSF

Jan. 5, 2018

Enrollment 2018

Displaced Puerto Ricans Face Obstacles Getting Health Care

Many have complicated questions about whether their Medicaid or Medicare coverage can shift to their new homes. And for those seeking private insurance, using the ACA’s insurance marketplaces will likely be a new experience.

By Paula Andalo

Nov. 21, 2017

FDA Raids Florida Stores That Consumers Use To Buy Drugs From Canada

The federal agents warned store owners that importing drugs from foreign countries is illegal and that those helping “administer” such medicines could face penalties.

By Phil Galewitz

Nov. 20, 2017

Enrollment 2018

Insurer Tries A Soft Touch — Puppies! — For This Year’s Hard Sell Of Obamacare Plans

Open enrollment for health insurance on the Affordable Care Act exchanges started last week. Across the country, municipalities, insurers and grass-roots groups are working hard to help folks navigate the hoops.

By Gisele Grayson, NPR

Nov. 6, 2017

Neglect Unchecked

Nursing Home Disaster Plans Often Faulted As ‘Paper Tigers’

Too often enforcement of rules for dealing with crisis is lax, advocates for nursing home residents say.

By Jordan Rau

Sept. 19, 2017

Florida Law Will Let Patients Get All Their Drug Renewals At The Same Time

The new law will help people with chronic conditions that require multiple prescriptions cut down on their shuttles to the drug store and could improve adherence to their drugs.

By Michelle Andrews

Aug. 4, 2017