LND topic: kff page 1

kff

Orange County's Mixed Reactions to Government Reopening Deal

November 11, 2025

The recent deal to end the longest government shutdown in U. S. history has sparked a wave of criticism from many House Democrats, particularly those representing Orange County. The bipartisan agreement, which aims to restart federal services and provide backpay to furloughed workers, has been met w

health

Why Employers Are Struggling with Weight Loss Drug Costs

October 22, 2025

More and more people are using weight loss drugs through their jobs. But these drugs are expensive. This is causing big problems for employers. Big companies are more likely to cover these drugs. 43% of large firms now offer this benefit. That's up from 28% last year. But smaller companies are not

health

Health Insurers Aim to Simplify Coverage Approvals

June 23, 2025

Big health insurers are taking steps to make it easier for people to get the care they need. UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health's Aetna, and many others are working to cut down on the hassle of prior authorization. This is the process where insurers need to approve medical care, prescriptions, or services

crime

The Health Care System's Unlikely Spark

April 25, 2025

The story of Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old, has taken a dramatic turn. He has been charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges. These charges include murder, stalking, and a firearms offense. The Justice Department ha

health

California's Health Coverage Drop: What Happened and Why?

February 16, 2025

California's public health insurance numbers have dropped by over 850, 000 people. This happened after the COVID-19 health care guarantees ended. The state's enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP fell from around 14. 3 million to just over 13. 4 million over the 18 months leading up to October 2024. This

health

Louisiana's New Vaccine Policy: A Quiet Change

December 20, 2024

In a surprising turn of events, Louisiana's health department has been told not to promote vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and mpox. This shocking policy change was uncovered by several news outlets, including NPR and KFF Health News, after they talked to health department employees who wanted to stay a

health

Battle with Insurance: A Cancer Patient's Struggle

December 13, 2024

Imagine being in the middle of chemotherapy and having to fight your insurance company to get the medicine you need. That's what happened to Arete Tsoukalas, a 26-year-old law student from Indiana. After being diagnosed with leukemia, she found out her insurance required a $13, 000 monthly copay for

health

Insurance Industry in the Spotlight: Anger Over Denied Claims Surfaces

December 7, 2024

The morning murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Brian Thompson, sparked a wave of social media outrage. People shared stories of denied medical claims, highlighting deep frustrations with the healthcare system. Thompson's widow hinted at possible threats related to coverage issues, though the motive r

crime

Tragedy Hits Small School: Gunman Dies After Shooting

December 5, 2024

Wednesday afternoon, a tragic incident unfolded at a small religious school in Northern California. Two students were injured when a gunman opened fire at the Feather River School of Seventh-Day Adventists in Palermo. The gunman was found dead near the playground, having apparently taken their own l

health

Health Coverage in Jeopardy: What Trump's Win Means for Insurance Subsidies

November 8, 2024

Millions of Americans could soon find themselves without crucial health insurance subsidies. These financial aids, set to expire at the end of 2025, were boosted by the 2021 American Rescue Plan. The plan made more people eligible for assistance, including many middle-class individuals. With Republi