Latest KFF Health News Stories
Q&A: Can I Request An Autopsy For A Loved One?
Michelle Andrews, KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist, answers a question from a reader on what she can do after a doctor refused to authorize an autopsy for her mother-in-law.
Q&A: How Do Ambulance Fees Vary Around The United States?
Michelle Andrews, KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist, answers a question from a reader about how insurer and provider fees from ambulance service vary around the nation.
Romney, Bachmann, Pawlenty, Ron Paul Spar On Individual Mandate, Health Law
In Thursday night’s Fox News/Washington Examiner debate in Ames, Iowa, all of the Republicans seeking the presidential nomination declared
Strapped: Meals on Wheels In Aiken Struggles To Serve Amid Budget Cuts
Significant cuts to Aiken, S.C.’s Council on Aging have diminished its ability to serve the needs of its senior population. Since 2008, the Meals on Wheels budget has been cut by 20 percent each year and the waiting list has doubled to nearly 650 people.
‘Project Lifesaver’ Tracks Wandering Seniors With Dementia
Aiken’s Public Safety Department uses GPS bracelets and anklets from Project Lifesaver International, a nonprofit organization, to track dementia patients who wander.
‘Foster Grandparent’ Program Lets Generations Help Each Other
Aiken, S.C.’s aging population also presents opportunities. To help older people pass their wisdom along to younger generations, Aiken has adopted the Foster Grandparents program, which pays seniors $2.65 an hour to read with children during the school year and chaperone summer recreation programs.
Frist: ‘Super Committee’ Has ‘Shot This Time’ At Reining In Debt, Medicare Spending
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist about the “super committee’s” chance at tamping down the nation’s debt. Frist says the panel has a chance to lower the debt and Medicare spending growth because the American public understands the stakes this time – the American Dream.
Q&A: Where Do I Find A Community Health Center?
Michelle Andrews, KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist answers a question from an uninsured reader with a big health-care bill. She’s looking for advice on future care.
Obama: ‘Lack Of Political Will’ On Tackling Deficits
In his remarks to the country about the S & P downgrade, President Barack Obama said the country needed tax reform and “modest adjustments to health care programs like Medicare.”
Health On The Hill: Medicaid Untouched, Medicare Spared – For Now – In Debt
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey talks with Jackie Judd about the lack of Medicare and Medicaid cuts in the initial round of cuts tied to the debt ceiling increase, and about what sort of cuts the programs could be open to later in the year.
New Primary Care Options Popping Up Across The Country
KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” columnist Michelle Andrews talks with Jackie Judd about convenient ways consumers are getting health care: House calls, workplace clinics and free-standing emergency rooms. And, most of the time, insurers will cover the visit.
Health On The Hill: ‘Gang Of Six’ In The Health Care Spotlight
NPR’s Julie Rovner talks with Jackie Judd about the re-emergence of the “Gang of Six” senators in the debt-ceiling debate, what their plan means for the CLASS Act, and how missing details are likely to be filled in.
Trends To Watch For Curbing Health Costs
Industry mergers, doctor-hospital cooperation, new payment models are among the changes identified by six health care experts.
President: ‘Shared Sacrifice’ Means ‘Taking On Health Care Spending’ (Video Excerpts)
In his second news conference in a week, President Barack Obama said he is “willing to look at” a number of ways to reduce health care spending, including provider cuts and changing the eligibility age for Medicare. But he dismissed the Republican approach, saying “it’s not necessary to completely revamp” Medicare to deal with the deficit and the debt ceiling.
Medical Loss Ratio: What Does It Mean For Consumers And Brokers?
In this Kaiser Health News video, Michelle Andrews talks about medical loss ratio, the amount of money an insurer must spend on health care as opposed to administrative costs and profits. The ratio could help ensure consumers are getting the most value for their health insurance premium dollars, Andrews says.
President Calls For ‘Meaningful Changes’ To Medicare, Medicaid (Video Excerpts)
In his news conference today, President Barack Obama discussed negotiations with Republicans regarding the debt ceiling and the deficit. He also paid some attention to efforts to curb entitlement spending, including Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Q&A: Can I Get Medical Treatment And Hospice Care At The Same Time?
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader who wonders if there are states where they can get both curative care and hospice care at the same time. The health law may provide some solutions, Andrews says.
The State Of School-Based Health Care
Michelle Andrews, author of KHN’s “Insuring Your Health” weekly feature, talks with Jackie Judd about how schools are meeting the growing health care needs of children, from nurses to comprehensive clinics.
Obama Talks Medicare And Debt Limit In Press Conference
President Obama on Wednesday said corporations should give up some tax breaks before the United States asks seniors to pay more for their Medicare benefits. But, Obama also opened the door to make changes and spending reductions to Medicare. Watch these video excerpts from the press conference.
Q&A: Should I Consider The High-Risk Pools For Insurance Coverage?
Michelle Andrews answers a question from a reader who wonders if they should look for catastrophic insurance coverage if traditional coverage is out of reach. Consider high-risk pools, Andrews says.
