health care

A new campaign is pressing Kansas City-area health systems to find cancer care solutions for people who can't get insurance because of their immigration status. "We have the same right to fight for our lives as anyone," says one cancer patient.

The state will repay educational costs for health care workers who are willing to work in underserved areas. Another program will increase the number of medical residencies in Missouri.

New Growth Transit connects Missouri's rural residents who can't get to their medical and health care appointments with a network of volunteer drivers.

Maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are increasing, and Black mothers are at an even greater risk. EleVATE, a group prenatal care program at University Health in Kansas City, aims to improve the positive outcomes of at-risk individuals.

The ruling from St. Louis-based Judge Steven Ohmer means the new Missouri law restricting puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender transition surgery for minors will go into effect on Monday.

Beginning Monday, Missouri will ban most transgender minors from receiving hormone therapy or puberty blockers. Opponents say the new law violates the Missouri Constitution's equal protection guarantees.

A growing number of people are testing positive for the coronavirus, but Missouri scientists say the virus still poses a smaller threat to residents than during the height of the pandemic.

As Missouri and all states begin reassessing the eligibility of every Medicaid participant on their rolls, one major concern is that many are losing coverage due to paperwork issues rather than a lack of eligibility. Of those who lost coverage in June and July, three-quarters were for "procedural reasons."

July 2023 marked the hottest month on record. As climate conditions worsen and extreme weather events spread across the globe, so do uncommon diseases. Health experts warn of the health consequences of not addressing climate change.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found that callers to Missouri's social services helpline waited an average of 48 minutes before reaching someone, and 44% of callers hung up before being helped.

Federal law requires states conduct an unannounced comprehensive inspection for each long-term care facility at least every 15 months to assess compliance with health and safety rules. Of the 510 nursing homes in Missouri, 126 have not been inspected in at least two years — one of the longest backlogs in the country.

Over 1 million Missourians on Medicaid will have their eligibility checked between now and next May. Many have never undergone the process before, and hundreds of thousands are project to lose coverage — mostly because of paperwork problems.