Tennessee Archives

One-On-One With Trump’s Medicare And Medicaid Chief: Seema Verma

Seema Verma, the administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, sat down for a rare interview with KHN senior correspondent Sarah Varney. They discuss her views on President Donald Trump’s plan for sustaining public health insurance programs, how the administration would respond if Obamacare is struck down by the courts in the future and her thoughts on how the latest "Medicare for All" proposals would affect innovation and access to care.

By Sarah Varney

Jan. 3, 2020

‘Food Pharmacies’ In Clinics: When The Diagnosis Is Chronic Hunger

It's hard to manage chronic conditions without a steady source of healthy food. That's why more health care providers are setting up food pantries — right inside hospitals and clinics.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

Dec. 10, 2019

Hospitals Take Shot At Opioid Makers Over Cost Of Treating Uninsured For Addiction

A few hundred hospitals have banded together to sue drugmakers in state courts, but far more are staying on the sidelines to avoid 'unflattering attention' about their role in the opioid crisis.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

Oct. 29, 2019

Tenn. Block Grant Experiment Would Boost Federal Funding, State Medicaid Chief Says

In a Q&A with Kaiser Health News, Tennessee Medicaid Director Gabe Roberts says state officials are requesting a modified block grant from federal officials because it would save money and allow the state to keep some of that savings.

By Phil Galewitz

Oct. 3, 2019

Podcast

KHN’s ‘What The Health?’: Tennessee Seeks Medicaid Changes

Tennessee wants to convert its Medicaid program to a block grant. But is its plan legal? Meanwhile, Congress continues to struggle with legislation to rein in prescription drug prices and surprise medical bills. This week, Anna Edney of Bloomberg News, Jennifer Haberkorn of the Los Angeles Times and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss these issues and more. Rovner also interviews Dr. Marty Makary, author of the new book “The Price We Pay” about why health care costs so much.

Sept. 19, 2019

Starving Seniors: How America Fails To Feed Its Aging

One out of every 13 older Americans struggles to find enough food to eat while the federal program intended to help hasn’t kept pace with the graying population.

By Laura Ungar and Trudy Lieberman

Sept. 3, 2019

At This Summer Camp, Struggling With A Disability Is The Point

At a camp for kids in Nashville, physical therapists use “constraint-induced movement therapy.” It makes life tougher, temporarily, in hopes of strengthening the campers’ ability to navigate the world.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

Aug. 13, 2019

Coordinating Care Of Mind And Body Might Help Medicaid Save Money And Lives

Tennessee's innovative Medicaid program is offering bonuses to mental health providers who help make sure their Medicaid patients get preventive help and treatment for physical ailments, too.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

Aug. 9, 2019

On A Mission To Help People Control Diabetes — And Save Money On Insulin

Patients with Type 2 diabetes are often steered toward medicine or insulin treatment. But with additional support, it’s possible to use diet and exercise to control blood sugar. The rising price of insulin drives patients to lower their dependence on the medicine.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

July 25, 2019

Liquid Gold

Federal Suit Alleges ‘Staggering’ Urine Drug Testing Fraud At Tennessee Pain Clinics

Tennessee company’s Medicare billings for urine tests were examined by Kaiser Health News in 2017.

By Fred Schulte

July 23, 2019

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

Liquid Gold

Pain Clinics’ Doctors Needlessly Tested Hundreds Of Urine Samples, Court Records Show

Whistleblower lawsuits accuse Tennessee chain of bilking millions from Medicare for unnecessary urine drug tests.

By Fred Schulte

April 24, 2019

Amid Opioid Prescriber Crackdown, Health Officials Reach Out To Pain Patients

After dozens of health care workers were charged with illegally prescribing opioids in Appalachia, local health agencies are trying to make sure chronic pain patients don't fall through the cracks.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

April 24, 2019

‘Heartbeat Bills’ Give State Lawmakers Pause On Anti-Abortion Tactics

Ohio is the latest Republican-led state to pass a ban on abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. But Tennessee last week backed off on a similar bill, fearing costly legal battles. What now?

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio and Jackie Fortiér, StateImpact Oklahoma

April 16, 2019

Economic Ripples: Hospital Closure Hurts A Town’s Ability To Attract Retirees

Celina, Tenn., has long lured retirees, with its scenic hills and affordability. These newcomers help fuel the local economy. But a recent hospital closure makes the town a harder sell.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

April 10, 2019

Shrinking Medicaid Rolls In Missouri And Tennessee Raise Flag On Vetting Process

State health officials say several factors, including the improved economy, are behind the 7 percent drop last year in Missouri and 9 percent reduction in Tennessee of Medicaid recipients. But advocates for the poor are worried the states’ efforts to weed out residents who are improperly enrolled has led to people mistakenly forced off the rolls.

By Phil Galewitz

Feb. 8, 2019

How Helping Patients Get Good Care At Home Helps Rural Hospitals Survive

Hospitals are now financially rewarded by insurers for safety and efficacy — which often results in patients spending less time as inpatients.

By Blake Farmer, Nashville Public Radio

Jan. 8, 2019

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Split Decision On Health Care

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call and Joanne Kenen of Politico discuss the Trump administration’s new birth control coverage rules and the potential impact of the midterm election results on health policy.

Nov. 8, 2018