Latest KFF Health News Stories
Health On The Hill – August 3, 2010
A Senate vote could come as early as Wednesday on a $16 billion Medicaid package for states. Meanwhile, a U.S. District Court judge has allowed a Virginia lawsuit challenging the health law’s requirement that individuals purchase health insurance to continue in the courts. A Missouri state ballot referendum to nullify the health law’s individual mandate is expected to pass today, although the measure is viewed as largely symbolic.
The End Of The Doctor’s Waiting Room
Dr. Dennis M. Dimitri, a family physician, runs an unusual office. Few appointments are accepted in advance – patients call in the morning and are assigned a time slot later that day and they don’t have to spend hours in a waiting room.
Health On The Hill – July 12, 2010
President Obama’s decision to use his recess appointment powers to nominate Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services continues to anger Republicans who wanted a public examination of Berwick’s record.
Health On The Hill – July 6, 2010
Congress left town for the July 4th recess without taking action on legislation that would give states additional Medicaid funding through June of next year. A bipartisan group of governors who came to Washington last week said that without the extra funds they would have to make budget cuts beginning July 1.
Health On The Hill – June 28, 2010
The Department of Health and Human Services is facing July 1 deadlines for the creation of high-risk pools to help individuals who have been without health insurance for six months or longer and a new web portal to provide consumers with information about health insurance plans.
Health On The Hill – June 21, 2010
The Senate has passed a six-month payment increase for Medicare physicians but it is unclear if the House will pass that measure.
States, Community Groups Efforts to Sign Up Uninsured Children
The Walkers/Talkers program in New Orleans sends workers into the poorest neighborhoods to help sign uninsured children up for government health insurance programs.
Health On The Hill – June 15, 2010
The Senate is debating ways to reverse a 21 percent cut in Medicare physician payments that began on June 1. The legislation would also include additional Medicaid money for states.
What’s Next? Reporting On Health Reform Between Now and 2014
Now that health reform is law, reporters covering this topic are shifting from political angles to the issues and questions surrounding how the law is implemented. This briefing for reporters discussed story ideas and approaches for reporting on health reform going forward.
Health On The Hill – June 1, 2010
Bowing to pressure from Democratic fiscal conservatives, House Democratic leaders scaled back health-related provisions in tax extenders legislation the House passed before beginning its Memorial Day recess.
Health On The Hill: May 25, 2010
The House of Representatives may vote on legislation this week that would stop a scheduled June 1 payment cut for doctors who accept Medicare physicians.
In Sickness and In Health: Elderly Caregivers
Caring for a sick or disabled elderly relative exacts a toll — physical, emotional, financial — on any family member, but being a spousal caregiver brings particular challenges.
Health On The Hill – May 17, 2010
Health care is a key issue in many Senate and House races around the country, with some Democrats who voted for the health care law having to defend their support for the measure. Republicans are confident that voters will reject Democrats who voted for the new law. Jackie Judd talks with KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and CQ-Roll Call Senior Elections Analyst Bob Benenson.
Washington Post Event: Health Reform And Its Implications
This video features Washington Post staff writers discussing the new health care law and its implications.
Medical Students Learn First Hand About Health Costs
At the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, students get hands-on lessons about the impact of treatment costs on patients by volunteering Saturdays at the East Harlem Health Outreach Program, a student-run free clinic for uninsured residents of a low-income neighborhood nearby.
Health On The Hill – May 3, 2010
Some states have told the Department of Health and Human Services that they intend to establish their own high-risk health insurance pool while others have said they want the federal government to do it.
Cancer Patients’ Dilemma: Expensive Pills or Invasive Chemo Treatment
Cancer patient Jere Carpentier would prefer taking a pill to having intravenous chemotherapy in a doctor’s office. But she
Health On The Hill: April 26, 2010
The new health law mandates that states adhere to several changes, including setting up high-risk health insurance pools by June.
State Efforts To Move People Out Of Nursing Homes Languish
Former physical education teacher Andrew Jones, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, spent five years in nursing homes in Georgia and Connecticut. The 56-year-old was able to move out of the nursing home system in 2009 with the help of a federally-funded state program, known as “Money Follows the Person.”
Health On The Hill – April 19, 2010
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will hold a hearing this week to discuss how to protect consumers from unreasonable health insurance premium increases.
