Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Costs Of Raising Children Grows, And Health Care Is A Big Reason

KFF Health News Original

What’s the matter with kids today? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they’re more expensive. The USDA released its annual report Thursday on how much it costs to raise a child. The grand total for a child born in 2011 is $234,900 — $295, 560 if inflation is factored in — for all child-related […]

Number Of Cancer Survivors Growing, But So Are Their Health Problems

KFF Health News Original

Two studies released this week paint a good news/bad news picture of life after cancer. The good news is that the number of cancer survivors in the U.S. is expected to increase by about 30 percent during the next decade to nearly 18 million, according to a report published this morning by the American Cancer Society […]

Today’s Headlines – June 14, 2012

KFF Health News Original

The Wall Street Journal: Republicans See Advantages In Go-Slow Approach On Bills Democrats accuse GOP leaders of deliberately dragging their feet on legislation that might help the economy, as it might also boost President Barack Obama’s re-election prospects. Republican leaders deny that. They blame Democrats for blocking GOP efforts to extend tax cuts and avert […]

Health Law Supporters Worry About ‘Signal’ From Big Insurers To Supreme Court

Morning Briefing

Earlier this week hree large health insurance companies announced they would allow some of the health law’s more popular consumer provisions to go forward no matter what the court’s decision. In response, a public interest group charged the insurers with conducting a PR offensive to signal to the high court.

Colorado And Alabama Leaders Offer Different Views On Health Law Decision

Morning Briefing

Colorado’s governor says the state will continue to build its insurance exchange and to advance other elements of the health law regardless of the Supreme Court’s ruling. Meanwhile, Alabama’s attorney general predicts the court will strike down the law.

Romney, Obama To Talk Economy In Ohio

Morning Briefing

President Obama and Mitt Romney are campaigning in Ohio today and it’s likely Romney will continue his attacks on the health law. Meanwhile, Democrats wonder how they can make political gains by better explaining the law.

Dems, GOP Jockey For Position On Health Law, Budget Legislation

Morning Briefing

In advance of the upcoming general election, Democrats and Republicans are trading barbs on the reasons — each accusing each other of playing politics — for delaying economic legislation and how the health care law has affected jobs in America.

AdvaMed’s Nexon: Expect More Health Cost Reduction Pressure

KFF Health News Original

David Nexon, a top health care adviser to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, says that no matter what, tremendous pressure to reduce spending will continue to push lawmakers to find ways to control health care costs.

Mich. House Approves Abortion Restrictions Bill

Morning Briefing

The Michigan bill would tighten regulation of abortion clinics and providers while making it a crime to coerce women into having an abortion. In Missouri, a union asks the governor to veto legislation that would allow employers to opt out of providing abortion or contraception health insurance coverage.

Healthcare Becomes Target In Antitrust Reviews

Morning Briefing

According to the Federal Trade Commission, though the recent rate of antitrust reviews of hospital mergers has been flat, regulators have increasingly been looking at provider deals.

First Edition: June 14, 2012

Morning Briefing

Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the pending Supreme Court decision is being viewed by investors, and the latest from the campaign trail.

Q&A: How Are Retired Military Personnel Affected By The Health Law?

KFF Health News Original

KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist Michelle Andrews answers that question from a reader, noting that the Affordable Care Act does affect some retired members of the military over age 65.

AdvaMed’s Nexon: Expect More Health Cost Reduction Pressure

KFF Health News Original

David Nexon, a top health care adviser to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, says that no matter what the outcome is of the Supreme Court deliberations or the fall elections, tremendous pressure to reduce spending and cut the deficit will continue to push lawmakers to find ways to control health care costs.