Shefali Luthra

Shefali Luthra was a correspondent for KFF Health News until June 2020.

@Shefalil

Is Insulin’s High Cost Keeping Diabetes Patients From Taking Their Medicine?

KFF Health News Original

An estimated 1.25 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes and cannot live without insulin. Sen. Kamala Harris’ claim that 1 in 4 diabetes patients cannot afford their insulin is a shockingly high number, so we decided to dig into the sparse data.

‘Medicare-For-All’ Gets Buzzy In Unexpected Locales

KFF Health News Original

At recent “barnstorming” meetings in South Carolina and West Virginia, activists felt momentum behind their “Medicare-for-all” cause even as they ready for a major political fight.

Cuarentena por paperas en Louisiana puede violar los derechos de inmigrantes detenidos

KFF Health News Original

Un brote de paperas y una cuarentena en el Centro de Procesamiento de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Pine Prairie, en Louisiana, impidió que los inmigrantes obtuvieran recursos legales, incluidos sus representantes legales.

There’s A New ‘Medicare-For-All’ Bill In The House. Why Does It Matter?

KFF Health News Original

The progressive proposal adds details to the discussion of this controversial approach to overhauling the nation’s health system, and Democratic primary candidates will have to be prepared to get more specific.

In Florida, Drug Importation From Canada Finds New Champions, Old Snags

KFF Health News Original

The state’s governor said the plan has the full support of the White House. But the Trump administration was noncommittal about whether allowing states to buy and import cheaper drugs from up north could be the answer to the nation’s drug-pricing problem.

Drug-Pricing Policies Find New Momentum As ‘A 2020 Thing’

KFF Health News Original

Emboldened by midterm election results and interest in possible presidential runs, Democrats are advancing a slew of new and old legislative proposals. It’s not yet clear, though, which if any could go the distance.

How The Government Shutdown Affects Health Programs

KFF Health News Original

Medicare and Medicaid are fine, but the food safety component of the Food and Drug Administration and bio-threat surveillance done by the Department of Homeland Security are among the public health functions feeling the pinch.