SUMMARY: The COVID-19 pandemic led to over 172,000 nursing home resident deaths and prompted significant reforms, including a mandate for minimum nursing staff levels. As Donald Trump returns to the White House, the nursing home industry, backed by some congressional allies, seeks to overturn this regulation. Industry groups have filed lawsuits, arguing many homes can’t afford increased staffing and citing a scarcity of trained workers. Despite doubts about enforcement and widespread care quality issues, consumer advocates and research groups warn that repealing the mandate could diminish care standards. The Biden administration argues that funding and resources exist to meet staffing requirements.

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SUMMARY: Anita Blanchard, a University of North Carolina-Charlotte professor, struggled with weight loss until she found success with Ozempic, a medication initially for Type 2 diabetes, leading her to lose 45 pounds and improve her mental health. However, North Carolina’s state employee health plan recently eliminated coverage for weight loss medications, citing high costs that could exceed $1 billion over six years. In a contrasting move, the state’s Medicaid program began covering these drugs for low-income residents. The Biden administration also proposed similar coverage nationally. Experts advocate for treating obesity as a chronic disease rather than a personal failing.

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The post Who Gets Obesity Drugs Covered by Insurance? In North Carolina, It Helps If You’re on Medicaid appeared first on kffhealthnews.org

SUMMARY: In December, 3-year-old Ryan Wettstein Nauman from Peoria, Illinois, experienced inconsolable crying, prompting her mother, Maggi, to take her to the emergency room. After waiting, Ryan stopped crying and they decided to leave without seeing a doctor. Months later, they received a $445 bill for a covid and flu test conducted during their brief ER visit, despite Ryan only being triaged. After insurance adjustments, they owed $298.15. The high hospital markup and insurance rules post-public health emergency raised concerns for Wettstein, leading her to reconsider future ER visits in favor of urgent care options for non-life-threatening issues.

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The post A Toddler Got a Nasal Swab Test but Left Before Seeing a Doctor. The Bill was $445. appeared first on kffhealthnews.org