Michelle Andrews

WAYNE EVANS/PEXELS

Newborns Get Routine Heel Blood Tests, But Should States Keep Those Samples?

Privacy-related concerns have grown about the sometimes decades-long storage and use of genetic material from newborn screenings.

Sep 15, 2022

Illustration by Kaiser Health News

Sign-Up Window for Free COBRA Coverage For Many Laid-Off Workers Closes This Week

Under federal rules, people should have received a notice by May 31 informing them about the subsidy, which is generally available to people who were involuntarily laid off or whose hours were reduced and who are eligible for coverage.

Jul 28, 2021

Kaiser Health News

Contraception Is Free to Women, Except When It’s Not

Despite the Affordable Care Act's guarantees of free contraception coverage, obtaining the right product at no cost can be difficult.

Jul 24, 2021

SHARON MCCUTCHEON ON UNSPLASH

COVID's Lingering Effects Can Put the Brakes on Elective Surgeries

As the number of people who have had COVID grows, medical experts are trying to determine when it’s safe for them to have elective surgery.

Jun 28, 2021

SHUTTERSTOCK

Lots of Health Insurance Help in Covid Relief Law — But Do Your Homework First

Mar 24, 2021

SHUTTERSTOCK

The ACA Marketplace Is Open Again for Insurance Sign-Ups. Here’s What You Need to Know.

Uninsured residents in Oregon and any of the other 35 states that use the federal healthcare.gov platform, which is the only way to obtain subsidies, can enroll in plans through May 15.

Feb 16, 2021

SHUTTERSTOCK

Many Health Plans Now Must Cover Full Cost of Expensive HIV Prevention Drugs

Starting this month, most people with private insurance will no longer have to decide whether they can afford to protect themselves against HIV.

Jan 6, 2021

SHUTTERSTOCK

Administration Eases Rules to Give Laid-Off Workers More Time to Sign Up for COBRA

By extending the time frame to sign up for COBRA coverage, people have at least 120 days to decide whether they want to elect COBRA, and possibly longer depending on when they lost their jobs.

Jul 20, 2020

KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/OPB

2021 Health Plans Granted Leeway To Limit Consumers’ Benefit From Drug Coupons

Advocates say a new rule will make it harder for patients with conditions such as cancer and multiple sclerosis who rely on very expensive drugs to afford them.

Jul 6, 2020