A major new study throws cold water on a popular approach to relieving medical debt, but the research also reveals a promising path forward.
Leslie Walker
Leslie is a senior reporter and producer for Tradeoffs covering a wide range of health policy issues including prescription drugs and Medicare. Her story, “Inside Big Health Insurers’ Side Hustle,” was awarded first place in audio reporting by the Association of Health Care Journalists and her work has been featured on Marketplace, NPR and STAT News. Before Tradeoffs, Leslie worked as a freelance writer and editor, in nonprofit communications, and at a health care social enterprise. She lives in San Francisco.
Posted inCost of Care
How Do You Help Patients Who Show Up in the ER 100 Times a Year?
Health care leaders share what they’ve learned from two decades of trying to keep this group of costly, complicated patients out of the hospital.
Posted inHealth Equity
One Doctor’s Quest to Improve Health Care for People with Disabilities
As adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities strive to live more freely and fully than ever before, many of America’s doctors, hospitals and insurers are getting in the way.
Posted inCost of Care
Sen. Bill Cassidy Wrestles with a $500 Billion Health Care Problem
Tradeoffs talks with Sen. Bill Cassidy about a new bipartisan effort to improve care for some of the country’s poorest, sickest patients.
Posted inCost of Care
Can Washington Make Medicare and Medicaid Work Better Together?
Poor, sick Americans are stuck in a Medicare-Medicaid maze. Is a fix in sight?
Posted inHealth Technology
Hope, Hype or Harm? What We Know About New Cancer-Screening Tools
A doctor walks us through the risks and benefits of new cancer-detecting body scans and blood tests.
Posted inPublic Health
The Stories That Made an Impact in 2023
In this special episode we reflect on a few of our favorite stories of 2023 and hear how they’re making a difference for patients and policymakers.
Posted inCost of Care
Can the U.S. Put an End to Surprise Ambulance Bills?
Congress banned most surprise medical bills back in 2020, with one major exception: ambulance rides. Can lawmakers find a fix?
Posted inInsurance
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Mess
People shopping for Medicare coverage struggle with too many choices, too little help and an alarming amount of deception.
Posted inInsurance
The 12 Million People Lost in a Maze of Medicare and Medicaid
Many of America’s poorest and sickest patients are stuck navigating two separate insurance programs — Medicare and Medicaid — to get the care they need.