Author

Michelle Andrews

KHN contributing columnist Michelle Andrews is a health policy reporter based in New York City. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience conceiving, reporting, writing and editing features, analyses, commentary and news for leading print and digital publications, including Kaiser Health News, the New York Times, the Washington Post and NPR.

Health

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

Michelle Andrews Mar 24, 2021

The $1.9 trillion covid relief law that President Joe Biden signed this month will make coverage significantly more affordable for millions of people who either who have marketplace coverage, are uninsured or have lost their employer…

Health

After a Decade of Lobbying, ALS Patients Gain Faster Access to Disability Payments

Michelle Andrews Jan 22, 2021

Anita Baron was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) after nine months of countless tests. By the time her Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare came through, Baron and her husband had maxed out their credit cards and…

Finance

Trump Rule Established Last Year Gives Small Companies New Tool to Help Workers Buy Health Coverage

Michelle Andrews Dec 7, 2020

Andrea LaRew’s employer does not offer a traditional health plan, but it does provide $100 a month to pay for a plan she purchases on her own. That money comes under an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement, established…

Finance

Think Your Health Care Is Covered? Beware of the ‘Junk’ Insurance Plan

Michelle Andrews Dec 5, 2020

When Sam Bloechl was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he and his wife, Megan Bloechl, learned his insurance plan wouldn’t pay for treatment. Instead of a comprehensive plan that complied with the ACA, he had purchased a…

Economy

Were You Notified About Missing Tax Forms for Your ACA Subsidy? Blame COVID

Michelle Andrews Nov 23, 2020

Andrew Schenker (left) stands with his daughter, Kaily Schenker; wife, Lauren Cooper; and son, Julian Schenker. Andrew received a letter saying he was at risk of losing financial assistance for the bronze-level plan he shares with his wife…

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Business

Workers Fired, Penalized for Reporting COVID Safety Violations

Michelle Andrews Oct 23, 2020

In recent months, a few states have passed laws specifically aimed at protecting workers who face COVID-related safety risks and retaliation for speaking up about them. Some states, like New Jersey, have whistleblower protection laws…

Business

Last Thing Patients Need During Pandemic: Being Last to Know a Doctor Left Network

Michelle Andrews Jul 27, 2020

A cardiologist doing catheter ablation with radiofrequency energy using imaging system with fluoroscopic X-ray tube for interventional vascular procedures and electrophysiology. File photo. Photo credit Shutterstock licensed. NEW YORK,…

Health

N.Y. Leads Nation In COVID-19 Tests, But Effort Still Lags Behind Demand

Michelle Andrews Apr 16, 2020

As of Tuesday, New York state had tested 526,012 people, nearly as many as California, Texas and Florida, the three most populous states, combined, according to the COVID Tracking Project, a crowdsourced compilation of the latest testing…

Business

Help Wanted: Retired Doctors, Nurses Don Scrubs Again In COVID-19 Fight

Michelle Andrews Mar 27, 2020

The best role for many retired medical professionals may be to fill in behind the scenes, said experts, freeing up younger colleagues to focus on direct patient care. File photo. NEW YORK, NY - Laura Benson retired from nursing in…

Business

Coronavirus Is Keeping Me Home From Work. Will I Get Paid?

Michelle Andrews Mar 12, 2020

Congressional Democrats are pushing for legislation that would provide paid leave for those who are not being compensated while out of work because of sickness, quarantine or family needs resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. File…

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Finance

Loopholes Limit New California Law To Guard Against Lofty Ambulance Bills

Michelle Andrews Jan 14, 2020

Hoechlin was still in intensive care when her husband, Matt, got the bill for the 300-mile air ambulance ride. The total: $97,269. The company wasn’t in their health plan’s network of providers, and the PPO plan they had through Matt’s…

Health

“Less Access to Firearms” With “Better Mental Health Options” Said to Contribute to New York State…

Michelle Andrews Dec 11, 2019

Like other states, Jessica Lioy’s home state of New York has seen its rate increase. But New York has consistently reported rates well below those of the U.S. overall. Compared with the national rate of 14 suicides per 100,000…

Business

Employers Scaling Back Dependence On High-Deductible Health Plans

Michelle Andrews Oct 30, 2019

Some employers say that, in a tight labor market, offering a more generous plan with a deductible that’s less than four figures can be an attractive recruitment tool. Plus, a more traditional plan may appeal to workers who want more…

Health

New Washington State Law Changes Parents “Right to Know” About Mental Health, Substances Abuse,…

Michelle Andrews Oct 24, 2019

Adolescents age 13 and older were generally entitled to make their own decisions about their need for mental health services and to decide whether to allow their parents to be given any details about their condition, diagnosis or…

Education

As Measles Outbreak Fades, New York Sets In Motion New Rules On School Vaccinations

Michelle Andrews Sep 5, 2019

In June, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation repealing religious vaccination exemptions for attending school. In addition, state officials last month tightened the rules for physicians to grant exemptions from school vaccinations for…

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Business

Joe Camel Was Forced Out Of Ads. So Why Is Juul Allowed On TV?

Michelle Andrews Aug 22, 2019

For nearly 50 years, cigarette advertising has been banned from TV and radio. But such as Juul Labs electronic cigarettes aren’t addressed in the law. File photo: Pixabay. CALIFORNIA - Why does e-cigarette maker Juul advertise its…

Health

Federal Experts’ Advice On HPV Vaccine Could Leave Adults Confused

Michelle Andrews Aug 9, 2019

A federal panel recently recommended men and women between ages 27 and 45 decide, in discussion with their health care providers, whether the HPV vaccine makes sense for them. File photo: Pixabay. CALIFORNIA - Vaccination decisions are…

Business

Even When HIV Prevention Drug Is Covered, Other Costs Block Treatment

Michelle Andrews Jul 16, 2019

Corey Walsh, who began using the drug Truvada when it was about $400. With a monthly price tag approaching $2,000, many private health plans have put the drug in a specialty drug tier with high co-payments or coinsurance. Photo credit:…

Health

Rape Victims Still Billed For Forensic Exams Despite Federal Protections

Michelle Andrews Jul 14, 2019

For 25 years, the Violence Against Women Act has required any state that wants to be eligible for certain federal grants to cover the cost of medical forensic exams for people who have been sexually assaulted, yet for some who have been…