Supreme Court sides with Native American tribes in health care funding dispute with government

Supreme Court sides with Native American tribes in health care funding dispute with government

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court sided with Native American tribes Thursday in a dispute with the federal government over the cost of health care when tribes run programs in their own communities. The 5-4 decision means the government will cover millions in overhead costs that two tribes faced when they took over running their health … Read more

Being a patient is getting harder in a strained and complex US health care system

Being a patient is getting harder in a strained and complex US health care system

Tamika Davis couldn’t nap on her couch during cancer treatment. She kept worrying one of her toddlers would wander over and pull out the needle delivering chemotherapy. Friends and family watched her kids when they could during her treatment last year for colon cancer. But Davis had gaps with no help because she couldn’t afford … Read more

A new South Africa health law aims at deep inequality, but critics say they’ll challenge it

A new South Africa health law aims at deep inequality, but critics say they’ll challenge it

JOHANNESBURG — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday signed into law a bill that aims to overhaul the healthcare system to address deep inequality, but it faces legal challenges from critics. The law introduces what is known as National Health Insurance, which will provide funds for all South Africans to access private healthcare. Currently, … Read more

Biden administration says 100,000 new migrants are expected to enroll in ‘Obamacare’ next year

Biden administration says 100,000 new migrants are expected to enroll in ‘Obamacare’ next year

WASHINGTON — Roughly 100,000 immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children are expected to enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance next year under a new directive the Biden administration released Friday. The move took longer than promised to finalize and fell short of Democratic President Joe Biden’s initial proposal to allow … Read more

Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect as doctors worry women will lose access to health care

Florida’s 6-week abortion ban takes effect as doctors worry women will lose access to health care

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Florida’s ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant, went into effect Wednesday, and some doctors are concerned that women in the state will no longer have access to needed health care. Dr. Leah Roberts, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist with … Read more

West Virginia and North Carolina’s transgender care coverage policies discriminate, judges rule

West Virginia and North Carolina’s transgender care coverage policies discriminate, judges rule

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia and North Carolina’s refusal to cover certain health care for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance is discriminatory, a federal appeals court ruled Monday in a case likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 8-6 in the case involving coverage of gender-affirming … Read more

Mississippi legislative leaders swap proposals on possible Medicaid expansion

Mississippi legislative leaders swap proposals on possible Medicaid expansion

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi Senate leaders on Friday said for the first time that they are willing to expand Medicaid to the full level allowed under a federal law signed 14 years ago by then-President Barack Obama. But as part of negotiations with fellow Republicans in the House, key senators also continued to insist that … Read more

Kansas won’t have legal medical pot or expand Medicaid for at least another year

Kansas won’t have legal medical pot or expand Medicaid for at least another year

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas will remain among the handful of states that haven’t legalized the medical use of marijuana or expanded their Medicaid programs for at least another year. Republican state senators on Friday blocked efforts to force debates on both issues before the GOP-controlled Legislature’s scheduled adjournment for the year Tuesday. Supporters of each … Read more

Idaho group says it is exploring a ballot initiative for abortion rights and reproductive care

Idaho group says it is exploring a ballot initiative for abortion rights and reproductive care

BOISE, Idaho — A new Idaho organization says it will ask voters to restore abortion access and other reproductive health care rights in the state after lawmakers let a second legislative session end without modifying strict abortion bans that have been blamed for a recent exodus of health care providers. “We have not been able … Read more

It’s the first drug shown to slow Alzheimer’s. Why is is it off to a slow start?

It’s the first drug shown to slow Alzheimer’s. Why is is it off to a slow start?

The first drug shown to slow Alzheimer’s disease hit the U.S. market over a year ago, but sales have lagged, major hospital systems have taken months to start using it and some insurers have rejected coverage. Doctors also expect some patients will hesitate to take Leqembi due to its limited impact and potential side effects. … Read more