Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

McDonald’s To List Calorie Counts On Menu Boards

Morning Briefing

News outlets describe the fast-food restaurant’s move to provide this menu information both in its restaurants and drive-thrus across the country as part of an effort to get ahead of federal menu-labeling requirements.

On Capitol Hill, Frustration At Administration’s Regulatory Pace

KFF Health News Original

In separate House and Senate hearings, Obama administration officials got an earful from members of Congress and industry and consumer representatives, who want more clarity about regulations called for in the health law.

The Great Fluoride Debate In Portland

KFF Health News Original

Portland, Ore., is the largest American city that doesn’t add fluoride to its drinking water. Activists have been vocal, for and against a proposal to change that. The science shows that fears of side effects from small amounts of fluoride to protect teeth are unfounded.

First Edition: Sept. 13, 2012

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news from the Census Bureau that, although record numbers of poor people persist, the number of uninsured Americans dropped by 1.3 million.

Health Care Jobs Report: A Dire Warning To Congress

KFF Health News Original

You knew this was coming: Just four months before a series of automatic spending cuts kick in, Medicare providers warned that, if those cuts become reality, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost. The report, funded by the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association, predicts that the 2 […]

Health Care Jobs Report: A Dire Warning To Congress

Morning Briefing

Just four months before a series of automatic spending cuts kick in, Medicare providers are warning that hundreds of thousands of jobs will be lost if those cuts are allowed to take effect.

How Is Your Medicare Drug Plan Like Your Cable Company?

KFF Health News Original

Economists have long chronicled the “lock in” effect — the ability to attract shoppers with low prices and then sock them with increases once they’ve stopped paying attention. Think car insurance or bank fees. Consumers often stay put even when they notice the higher bills, deciding that the hassles of switching represent an even greater cost. Boston University economist Keith M. Marzilli Ericson […]

Census: Uninsured Numbers Decline As More Young Adults Gain Coverage

KFF Health News Original

The number of people without health insurance fell to 48.6 million last year, or 15.7 percent of the population, the first drop since 2007, according to new census numbers reported Wednesday.

A Rare Capitol Hill Sighting: 2 Parties Work Together On Health Care

KFF Health News Original

The rare sound of bipartisanship was heard Tuesday at the House Energy and Commerce health subcommittee. Panel members from both parties agreed — yes, you read that right, agreed — on bills dealing with clinical laboratories, recovering payments for the Medicare Trust Fund and pediatric research, among others. ”The bills before us prove that it is indeed […]

Today’s Headlines – Sept. 12, 2012

KFF Health News Original

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including news about former President Bill Clinton’s role on the presidential campaign trail as well as reports from Capitol Hill and details of a new survey regarding health insurance costs. The New York Times: Embracing Role As Surrogate, Clinton Hits Campaign Trail Speaking to a sellout […]

Exploring The Campaign’s Health Policy Buzzwords, Proposals

Morning Briefing

The NewsHour compares the policies advanced by the Obama administration and the Romney campaign. Meanwhile, Bloomberg News offers an analysis on how GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney proposes to change Medicaid.

With Rock Star Fanfare, Clinton Talks Health Care On The Campaign Trail

Morning Briefing

Speaking to what the New York Times described as a sellout crowd in Florida, former President Bill Clinton reprised many of his convention speech themes regarding how the health law is strengthening Medicare and providing benefits to millions of Americans. The Obama campaign is expected to continue to rely on Clinton as a surrogate in battleground states.

Federal Judges End Challenge To Idaho’s ‘Fetal Pain’ Law That Bans Some Abortion

Morning Briefing

The appeals panel says the woman bringing the suit didn’t have standing to stop the law since she wasn’t charged with a crime. In the meantime, however, the judges also found that the law places an “undue burden” on women seeking abortions.

Medicaid News: Fight Over Expansion Brews In Ark.

Morning Briefing

State Medicaid budget issues show promise in Colorado — where a cost savings program may be working — and North Carolina — where the program has spent less than anticipated.