Insights

You learn a lot when you spend months reporting on a given issue or community, as our fellows can attest. Whether you’re embarking on a big new story or seeking to go deeper on a given issue, it pays to learn from those who’ve already put in the shoe leather and crunched the data. In these essays and columns, our community of journalists steps back from the notebooks and tape to reflect on key lessons, highlight urgent themes, and offer sage advice on the essential health stories of the day. 

Is this the future of primary care?

Bed Count: Can Walmart fill the gaps left by hospital closures?

By William Heisel

As hospital closures and physician shortages continue to afflict rural and low-income areas, Walmart is announcing an expansion of in-store primary care clinics in states such as Texas and South Carolina. Will this be the new face of primary care in rural regions?

After disappointing start on exchange, Kaiser recalibrates enrollment push

By Judy Silber

In its first year on California's state health exchange, Kaiser trailed three other major insurers in market share. As the second open enrollment period fast approaches, Kaiser is trying to better reach Latinos by beefing up Spanish language outreach, call operators and online services.

Case against California doctor jeopardizes drug-tracking system

By William Heisel

The California Medical Board's case against a physician accused of improperly prescribing drugs has backfired, opening a door for the state’s influential doctors’ lobby to eliminate one of the board’s only weapons against reckless prescribing.

Less than a quarter of kids get the recommended 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Youth obesity rates holds steady, even as youngest make gains

By Ryan White

Earlier this year, encouraging news broke of a marked decrease in early childhood obesity. But overall childhood obesity rates have held steady, a recent report finds, with big disparities persisting among minorities and Southerners.

A family learns about Obamacare options in Los Angeles.

As open enrollment looms, officials reflect on the challenges ahead

By Kellie Schmitt

With the upcoming enrollment for California's health exchange expected to be half as long and twice as hard, officials are looking to improve on call wait times, outreach to diverse communities, and persuading the remaining uninsured to sign up.