/tags/health-care-costs Health Care Costs en-US Copyright © 2024 ÍâÍøÌìÌà Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-08-21/direct-health-care-contracts-companies-employees-deductibles Employees can access health care with no out-of-pocket costs as long as they visit doctors or facilities that their company has a direct contract with. Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT /economy-business/2024-08-21/direct-health-care-contracts-companies-employees-deductibles Eric Schmid /health-science-environment/2024-07-11/illinois-governor-signs-health-insurance-reforms The Health Care Protection Act bars the use of a restriction known as “step therapy" requiring a patient to try and fail on one or more treatments preferred by the insurance company before they can access a doctor-recommended treatment. Thu, 11 Jul 2024 10:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-07-11/illinois-governor-signs-health-insurance-reforms Peter Hancock /health-science-environment/2024-06-15/missouri-drug-pricing-battle-legislation Pharmacy manufacturers, who are playing defense on similar bills across the country, want Missouri Gov. Mike Parson to veto the legislation because the discounted prescriptions are often sold to patients at full retail price. Sat, 15 Jun 2024 11:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-06-15/missouri-drug-pricing-battle-legislation Rudi Keller /health-science-environment/2024-04-22/illinois-house-clears-pritzker-led-insurance-utilization-management-reforms Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker celebrated a partial legislative victory late last week when the House passed his initiative to end some practices health insurance companies use to control the amount and cost of health care services individual patients receive. Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:07:49 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-04-22/illinois-house-clears-pritzker-led-insurance-utilization-management-reforms Peter Hancock /government-politics-issues/2024-02-21/jb-pritzker-proposes-erasing-1-billion-illinois-medical-debt Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker will include the $10 million ask in his budget proposal for the next fiscal year to erase $1 billion in Illinoisan's medical debt. The investment would mark the first in a multi-year plan. Wed, 21 Feb 2024 14:49:07 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-02-21/jb-pritzker-proposes-erasing-1-billion-illinois-medical-debt Tina Sfondeles /health-science-environment/2024-02-16/missouri-and-other-states-target-health-insurer-prior-authorization-red-tape In Missouri, legislation introduced by State Rep. Melanie Stinnett, R-Springfield, aims to establish a gold carding program for medical treatment and prescriptions. Fri, 16 Feb 2024 11:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-02-16/missouri-and-other-states-target-health-insurer-prior-authorization-red-tape Bram Sable-Smith /government-politics-issues/2024-02-05/illinois-immigrant-health-programs-enact-copays-as-cost-estimates-decline The state-funded health care programs serving certain low-income noncitizens have declined by tens of millions of dollars in recent months as the state rolled out new copay and coinsurance requirements this week. Mon, 05 Feb 2024 22:27:24 GMT /government-politics-issues/2024-02-05/illinois-immigrant-health-programs-enact-copays-as-cost-estimates-decline Jerry Nowicki /health-science-environment/2024-01-25/missouri-advocates-decry-medicaid-application-delays-and-coverage-losses Interviews with advocates, applicants, participants and experts reveal that increased pressure on the social service agency’s capacity has intensified bureaucratic hurdles for low-income and low-resource Missourians trying to access government health insurance. Thu, 25 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-01-25/missouri-advocates-decry-medicaid-application-delays-and-coverage-losses Clara Bates /health-science-environment/2024-01-18/illinois-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-create-state-prescription-drug-price-oversight-board A new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would create a board of health care experts that would have the authority to set price limits on prescription medications. Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2024-01-18/illinois-lawmakers-introduce-bill-to-create-state-prescription-drug-price-oversight-board Alex Abbeduto /health-science-environment/2023-12-06/when-missouri-kicks-people-off-medicaid-they-struggle-to-keep-other-assistance A federal lawsuit filed before Medicaid unwinding began alleges that a dysfunctional system prevents low-income Missouri residents from getting food aid. Now, advocates say systemic flaws have escalated into a crisis for the most vulnerable. Wed, 06 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT /health-science-environment/2023-12-06/when-missouri-kicks-people-off-medicaid-they-struggle-to-keep-other-assistance Samantha Liss, Rachana Pradhan, Katheryn Houghton