Latest KFF Health News Stories
Business Opponents Of Health Overhaul Ramp Up Advertising
Interest groups, including business opponents, are ramping up spending on advertising.
Effect Of Abortion Restrictions In Health Bill May Be Less Than Advocates Fear
Abortion restrictions in health reform are expected to only affect a small number of women despite provoking heated debate. Meanwhile, Catholic bishops weigh into the debate and abortion rights group plan a rally to contest the restrictions.
White House Deal With Drug Makers May Be Unraveling
Efforts by congressional Democrats to find more health care savings by mandating discounts on drugs for Medicare patients could thwart agreement between administration and pharmaceutical industry, and some fear it could turn a powerful lobby against the legislation.
State Health Plans In Washington, Kansas Face Challenges
Health reform is scrambling local politicians in Louisiana. Meanwhile, Washington State and Kansas are working to get residents out of, and into, state-run insurance programs.
As Senate Debate Approaches, Partisans Step Up Volume
Volleys of rhetoric, attack ads and procedural parries are rippling through the Congressional health care debate.
Startling New Mammogram Guidelines Incite Debate About Risk, Cost
A federal panel changes long held guidelines for mammograms, urging women to now receive such cancer screening at age 50 instead of 40 to reduce possible harm from overtreatment.
Study Finds Uninsured Trauma Patients Much More Likely To Die In ER
New study by Harvard researchers surprises health experts.
Medicare Doctor Payment “Fix” Could Slip, Jeopardizing AMA Support For Health Reform
The American Medical Association backed the House Democrats reform bill earlier this month, at a time when it appeared likely lawmakers would move to permanently end looming cuts to doctors’ Medicare payments that Congress defers from year to year.
Senate Democrats Wait For CBO Score, Work To Keep Votes
Senate Democrats are holding their breaths and trying to hold their votes together as they wait for a score on a health care reform bill from the Congressional Budget Office.
Wisconsin Town Has Highest Rate Of Living Wills, Lowest Cost Of Care
NPR reports on a town in Wisconsin with the highest rates of living wills in the country.
Liberals Push Reid To Stand By Public Option In Health Bill
“A clutch of Senate liberals pressed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to stand firm behind a public insurance option Monday afternoon in the face of filibuster threats from Republicans and Sen. Joe Lieberman (ID-Conn.),” Roll Call reports.
AIDS Advocates Ask White House To Send Money South
Activists met Monday with a top White House aide in Jackson, Miss., to call for more federal funds to help fight AIDS in the South.
First Edition: November 17, 2009
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including new poll results and analysis of the Senate’s health bill time crunch.
Proposed Medicare Tax Hike Splits Support On Paying For Health Reform
A proposed Medicare excise tax increase on the highest earners in America as a way to pay for health care reform has split lawmakers and the public who are all looking for the best ways to drive down health care costs.
Abortion-Rights Groups Mobilizing Against House Health Bill Restrictions
Abortions rights advocates are pressing Senate lawmakers not to include a House-passed provision in the measure headed for the Senate floor.
HELP Committee Chairman: Senate Will Work Weekends On Health Bill
Sen. Tom Harkin says the Senate will work weekends in December to try to pass a health bill.
Amid Health Bill Delays And Snags, Lawmakers Target Issues
As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid waits for the CBO score of the Senate health bill, political landmines and perhaps shifting public opinion are changing the landscape.
Both Sides Puzzle Over Abortion Amendment In House Health Bill
Newspapers continue to report on the Stupak amendment and how it will affect access to abortion.
Federal Health Overhaul Could Force State Changes
The bills pending in Congress could alter some restrictions on insurers and channel money to state health programs.
Eyes Turn To Lieberman, Reid, Snowe As Most Crucial Health Reform Players
Senators’ recent takes on health care reform are reviewed as unofficial debate on the issues continues.
