alley

Health On The Hill: Analyzing The Health Law’s Rocky First Year

KFF Health News Original

NPR’s Julie Rovner joins KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talk about developments on the Hill. This week: With the one-year anniversary of the health law this week, proponents of the measure point to many of its provisions, such as insuring adult children up to age 26 on a parent’s policy or tax credits to help small businesses afford coverage, as signs that the law is succeeding. But opponents of the law say many of its provisions, such as the Medicaid expansion or a requirement that most individuals have health insurance or pay a fine, will weaken public support.

Video: Sebelius Questioned By Senate Finance Committee

KFF Health News Original

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing titled “Health Reform: Lessons Learned During the First Year,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius praised the health law and faced questions from critical Republican members on the panel. Watch excerpts from the hearing.

Health Law Funding: GOP Sticking Point In Spending Bill

KFF Health News Original

Health On The Hill: Some House and Senate Republicans have said they will vote against a three-week funding measure for the federal government because it does not take steps to stop funding for implementation of the health care law. Watch the video.

Health On The Hill: Health Law Funding A GOP Sticking Point In Spending Bill

KFF Health News Original

The Washington Post’s Amy Goldstein joins KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talk about developments on the Hill. This week: Some House and Senate Republicans have said they will vote against a three-week funding measure for the federal government because it does not take steps to stop funding for implementation of the health care law. Separately, health care is surfacing as a key issue among potential GOP presidential candidates.

Will Access To Health Insurance For My Sick Wife Be Better After 2014?

KFF Health News Original

Kaiser Health News consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader on if access to good health insurance will be better for his sick wife after 2014.

Will My Son With Pre-existing Conditions Be Able To Buy Health Insurance?

KFF Health News Original

Kaiser Health News consumer columnist Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader on if her son with a pre-existing condition will be able to buy health insurance under the new law.

Health On The Hill Transcript: What’s The Impact Of The Judge’s Order For Fed Appeal In Health Law Challenge

KFF Health News Original

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey talks with KFF’s Jackie Judd about last week’s order by a federal judge in which he stayed his earlier decision striking down the health law, but also ordered the Obama administration to file an appeal. Also, the Senate considers how it will fund the federal government.

Health On The Hill: Judge Orders Fed Appeal In Health Law Challenge

KFF Health News Original

A Florida District Court judge issued a stay of his earlier ruling on the health law that found the law unconstitutional, but he ordered the Obama Administration to file an appeal within seven business days. Meanwhile, two different funding approaches to keep the government operating beyond March 18

Health On The Hill Transcript: GOP Governors Seek To Modify Medicaid Programs

KFF Health News Original

Republican governors are asking Washington for more flexibility regarding how they run their Medicaid programs, saying that Washington puts too many restraints on states.

Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers: ‘We All Ran On Repealing” Health Law

KFF Health News Original

Supported by the tea party, Renee Ellmers pulled an upset victory over the Democratic incumbent in North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District last fall. As a nurse married to a physician, Ellmers says her own experience has convinced her that health care “is a personal responsibility” and the only way to bring down high health insurance costs is for government to step aside and let the private market work better. Rep. Ellmers was interviewed in her office on Capitol Hill by Kaiser Health News reporter Jessica Marcy.

Republicans Take Steps To Defund Health Law Implementation, Planned Parenthood – Health On The Hill Transcript

KFF Health News Original

House Republicans passed measures to defund implementation of the health law, while the Obama administration fires back, rescinding a regulation they say could jeopardize patient access to care. Watch the video.

Health On The Hill: Republicans Take Steps To Defund Health Law Implementation, Planned Parenthood

KFF Health News Original

As part of legislation to keep the government funded through March 4, House Republicans passed a series of amendments aimed at defunding implementation of the health care law. Separately, the Obama administration rescinded part of a 2008 conscience clause regulation they said could impact patients’ access to medical care.

Health On The Hill Transcript: President Obama’s Health Budget Scrutinized

KFF Health News Original

Jackie Judd of the Kaiser Family Foundation is joined by Mary Agnes Carey of Kaiser Health News and David Nather of Politico to talk about the president’s 2012 proposed budget and a House bill that would repeal a provision of the health care overhaul that small businesses find particularly onerous.

Health on the Hill: President Obama’s Health Budget Scrutinized

KFF Health News Original

President Obama’s Fiscal 2012 budget request would stop a scheduled Medicare physician payment cut for two years. Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to consider legislation that would repeal a paperwork provision in the health law that has drawn heavy opposition from small business.