Latest KFF Health News Stories
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin talk about new optimism among liberal Democrats that a public option will be included in the final health overhaul bill. They also discuss Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s determination to have a bill soon.
An Experiment In Reducing Costs, Improving Care At Hillcrest Medical Center
Seventy-six year old Frank Morrow is not only having his knee replaced at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He’s also helping to test a Medicare payment system.
KHN’s Eric Pianin and NPR’s Julie Rovner discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and other experts discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
Buying Insurance On The Individual Market
Freelance writer Cindy Richards buys insurance on the ‘individual market’ – from a broker – to cover herself and her son and daughter. Her husband had to buy a policy separately. Between them, they pay $500 a month in premium costs and have a yearly deductible of over $10,000. She believes it’s “too difficult” to get health insurance in America.
Health On The Hill – Senate Finance Committee To Vote On Health Bill
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin discuss the Senate Finance Committee’s vote later this week on a health overhaul bill and how that bill might be melded with the more liberal bill from the Senate health committee.
Fifty-two year old Lyn Robinson says she works out, takes good care of herself and doesn’t think she needs to buy health insurance.
Frist Predicts Congress Will Approve a $1 Trillion Health Care Bill That Won’t “Bend The Cost Curve”
KHN’s Eric Pianin talks with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., about his new book, “A Heart to Serve, The Passion to Bring Health, Hope, and Healing.”
Employer Provided Private Insurance Video: Dave Koenig
Dave Koenig gets private insurance through his employer and couldn’t be happier. As a conservative, he thinks private health care is the way to go, but he supports some changes to the insurance industry to protect patients from losing their coverage.
Health On The Hill – September 28, 2009
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey discusses recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
Fernando Arriola, 58, had full health coverage for years at his former job, but since starting his own contracting business, there are no affordable coverage options for him and his wife. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
Medicare Recipient Video: ‘I Hope Medicare Stays Healthy For A Long Time’
Seventy-one year old Audrey Bernfield is one of the 45 million people on Medicare, the government health insurance program for the disabled and those over 65. Like most beneficiaries, she is very satisfied with her coverage.
‘Cadillac Plan’ Video: The Stabbe Family
Mitch Stabbe and Marjorie Goldman treasure their “Cadillac” plan health insurance, even though it costs more than $20,000 in premiums per year. Their son, Bryan, has Crohn’s disease, which means very expensive treatments. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
‘Cadillac Plan’ Video: Rusty and Deb Lovell
Deb and Rusty Lovell are not the kind of people you would expect to have “gold-plated” health insurance. Deb works at a community college and earns a little over $30,000 a year. But the health benefits she gets from the New Hampshire government have made a huge difference in their lives. Part of our special series produced in partnership with NPR: Are You Covered? A Look at Americans and Health Insurance.
Health On The Hill – September 21, 2009
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
Highlights Of Senator Max Baucus’ News Conference
The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., discussed his health proposal at a Capitol Hill news conference today. He acknowledged the lack of Republican support, but expressed confidence that some members of the GOP would sign on, saying: “At the end of the day, we all share a common purpose, that is to make the lives of Americans better tomorrow than they are today, and to get health-care reform done, which means the time to come for action is now.”
Health On The Hill – September 15, 2009
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and Eric Pianin are joined by NPR’s Julie Rovner to discuss Sen. Max Baucus’ health reform package and the chances for Republican support for a health overhaul bill.
Checking In With Dr. Abraham Verghese On The Importance Of The Bedside Manner
The author of “My Own Country” and “Cutting For Stone” talks about his solution to the critical shortage of primary care physicians, the impact of technology on the patient-physician relationship and ‘the charm and magic’ of being at a patient’s bedside.
Health On The Hill – September 10, 2009
KHN’s Mary Agnes Carey and other experts discuss recent and upcoming activities on the Hill — part of a weekly series of video reports.
Excerpts From The President’s Speech To Congress On Health Care Reform
Highlights of the president’s address to Congress include his proposals for guaranteed insurance coverage, mandates to buy insurance and insurance exchanges. He endorsed a ‘public option,’ but said he would remain open to other ideas to expand coverage.
